The Nominator must be a current voting-eligible member in good standing.

The Nominee must:

• Be a current voting-eligible member in good standing
• Click on the button below to login and submit requested information. Submit current bio and a resume along with a Statement of Purpose for joining the Board of Directors
• Commit to attend regularly scheduled board meetings and the annual conference
• Commit to participate in committee and/or project work throughout the year

If you wish to nominate an individual or individuals other than yourself, you will need the following:

• Consent from the nominee
• Contact information including an email address
• JEN membership at an appropriate level required to be nominated

After an individual has been nominated, the nominee’s eligibility will be confirmed by the Membership Manager, and the nominee will be contacted by the Nominating Committee to confirm the individual’s willingness to accept their nomination and to secure support materials.

CONSIDERATIONS:

• Special consideration will be given to those individuals with strong resumes/specific talents in: fundraising and development, programming, music and/or music industry, business, finance, marketing, legal and a strong work ethic.
• JEN is committed to representing and cultivating diversity in all areas of its operation which includes, but is not limited to, its staff, board members, volunteers, presenters, clinicians, performers and audiences. This commitment is present in all programs and decision making, including the selection of members to serve on the board of directors. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
• All eligible members are encouraged to submit a nomination application.
• Please consider becoming a vital part of the leadership team that is transforming the future of jazz education.

Members of the JEN Board of Directors assume the following responsibilities:

1. Knowing the Jazz Education Network mission, services, policies, and programs.
2. Participating in all Board meetings and conference.
3. Reviewing Board agendas, minutes, and supporting materials (including financial statements) prior to Board meetings. Visiting the website and reading the JEN newsletters regularly.
4. Communicating in a timely fashion on all JEN business. Submitting reports and requests for action on or before stated deadlines.
5. Being an advocate for JEN and engaging and informing others about JEN and representing the organization to the general public through my professional, personal, and social networks. This includes adding your status as a member of the JEN Board of Directors to your bio, website and promo materials.
6. Lending special skills and expertise to enhance the Board and be actively engaged in strategic planning and development.
7. Being available to serve on at least one committee annually (i.e. Finance Committee, Fundraising & Development Committee, Marketing & Communications Committee, etc.)
8. Being willing and able to be nominated for a JEN office and willing to serve if selected.
9. Taking on special assignments as volunteer service as they relate to the advancement of JEN’s mission and services, policies and programs.
10. Assisting in participant, volunteer, and Board member recruitment efforts, and engaging others who can make significant contributions to JEN – financially as individual contributors or corporate sponsors, and those who may lend their expertise to advancing our organization.
11. Allowing JEN to use your image for promotional purposes. (This will include a short statement from you about JEN and keeping JEN informed of professional activities so that these events may be published online or in print publications).
12. Following conflict of interest and confidentiality policies as they are established by JEN.
13. As a strong personal commitment to the mission and values of JEN, it is required that all Board members maintain current membership.
14. It is expected that all BOD members will cover transportation costs over $750 per event, and meal expenses related to Board meetings until such time as JEN is able to afford to budget all expenses in that regard.
15. Board members are expected to financially contribute to the organization annually.
16. In turn, the JEN Executive Committee will be available to answer any questions about the organization and all will work in good faith towards achievement of our mission and goals.
17. Board Service Terms are 3 years in length and re-election should not be considered automatic. The reality is that there are only so many slots on the Board to be filled and if everyone serving was automatically reinstated for 3-year terms back-to-back, new energy would or could not be infused into the Board. Decisions are not to be assumed of a personal nature.
18. Board members not returning should be recognized in perpetuity as a former Board member, and asked to continue on committees as part of the JEN governance structure. Further, an individual should be commended for their expected service while on the Board, but should not expect an explanation as to why he or she may not be selected again to serve.

Please read the information, including the Board Service Requirements on the previous webpage, carefully before submitting.

ATTENDANCE:

The board will meet four times annually.  Attendance at the Board Meetings is Mandatory. Three meetings will be conducted virtually, while an in-person meeting will be scheduled to take place at JEN’s Annual Conference. Additional Board Meetings online as needed.

SCHEDULE:

FY26 (Abbreviated fiscal Year for Operational Reasons)

• July 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
  • Summer 2025 (Hybrid In-Person/Virtual)
  • November 2025 (Virtual)
  • Jan 5 – 11, 2026 – JEN Conference New Orleans, LA (In-Person)
  • March 2026 (Virtual)

FY27

• April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
• Summer 2026 (Hybrid In-Person/Virtual)
  • November 2026 (Virtual)
  • Jan 4 – 10, 2027 – JEN Conference Louisville, KY (In-Person)
  • March 2027 (Virtual)

FY28

• April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028
• Meetings
  • Summer 2027 (Hybrid In-Person/Virtual)
  • November 2027 (Virtual)
  • Jan 3 – 9, 2028 – JEN Conference New Orleans, LA (In-Person)
  • March 2028 (Virtual)

EXPENSES:

• • Travel expenses to and from all in-person board meetings will be the responsibility of the board member. 
  • Housing for board members at the annual JEN Conference will be provided to attend board meetings and the duration of the conference.
  • Housing expenses for any voluntary in-person meetings (including Hybrid meetings, if applicable) will be the responsibility of the board member.

Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee is a standing committee that reviews nominations from JEN members for the open board seats and then presents a Board Member Nomination Slate to the membership for a “yes” or “no” vote each year.  The Nominating Committee also reviews nominations from the JEN Board for open officer seats and then presents an Officer Nomination Slate to the Board for a “yes” or “no” vote each year.

April

Nominations will be reviewed as received and a slate of nominees will be prepared for vote by JEN membership.

May

Announcement of the outcome.

July 1

New Board members will take office to serve a three-year term.

JEN Board of Directors

Annual Timeline & Election Process

November

1) Begin review of the composition of the present board of director’s nomination grid – individually, professionally and collectively.

2) Determine needed skill sets to round out the present board including but not limited to:

• Fundraising & Development
• Strategic Planning
• Industry
• Financial
• Marketing/Public Relations
• Expertise and/or experience with nonprofit’s organizations
• Conference Production
• Music education/curriculum (at all levels)
• Performing Artist

3) Once the needed skills are determined, the Criteria for consideration are to be placed on the nomination application. Also see Board Member Service Goals.

• The Nominator must be a current voting eligible member in good standing
• The Nominee must be:
  • a current voting eligible member in good standing
  • Submit current bio and/or a resume along with a Statement of Purpose for joining the Board of Directors
  • Commit to attending regularly scheduled board meetings and the annual conference
  • Commit to participate in committee and/or project work throughout the year

January

1) Prepare announcement of nomination procedure for placement in print and online.
2) Prepare and distribute announcement via eBlast to membership

February

Place online for six weeks: February 15 through the deadline of March 31 (midnight EST) to receive nominations.

Early March

1) Continue nomination window

Late March

1) Nominating Committee contacts those that have been nominated and verifies whether they wish to be considered for the Board Nomination (contact could take place as the nominations for individuals are received)
2) Review all resumes and applications
3) Prepare slate for election from nominees list: deadline of April 5th

April

1) Launch election slate online for one month, deadline of April 30th (midnight PST), or 30 days after date of launch, whichever is later.
2) Nominating Committee prepares Officer election slate from existing Board member candidates

May

1) Review tally of votes and announce the NEW Board members in July online

May/June

1) Board elects officers for term beginning July 1^st

July

1) President or Executive Committee meets with NEW Board Members via conferencing call for orientation to Board materials and expectations of service

August

1) Ratify elected officers at Board Meetings or electronically beforehand