CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for terms beginning July 2025
Due date: April 15, 2025
The Thoreau Society seeks nominations for the following positions:
Treasurer (2-year term, renewable): The Society seeks one (1) individual to serve as Treasurer. Per the Society’s Bylaws, “the Treasurer shall have custody of the funds and securities of the Society and shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Society and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Society in such depositories as may be designated by the Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Society as may be ordered by the Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Directors, at the regular meetings of the Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer of the Society.”
Clerk (2-year term, renewable): The Society seeks one (1) individual to serve as Clerk. Per the Society’s Bylaws, the Clerk “attends all meetings of the Board and records all votes and the minutes of all proceedings.” This position also “shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Directors.”
(Note: Geoff Wisner is seeking re-election to a second 2-year term.)
Board of Directors (3-year term, renewable once): The Society seeks five (5) individuals to serve on the Board of Directors. Per the Society’s Bylaws, the Board of Directors manages “the property, affairs, and funds of the Society.” The Society’s board is a “working” board; that is, board members attend two two-day meetings each year (one via Zoom and the other in person in Concord), assist with governance and business throughout the year (largely via email and telephone), and serve on (or chair) active board subcommittees, all to ensure that the Society carries out its mission. We especially seek candidates with experience in accounting, finance, and/or development. For a full listing of the current Board of Directors of The Thoreau Society, see https://thoreausociety.org/about/.
(Note: One current appointed board member seeking election to an additional 2 years of a first 3-year term is KC Dolan.)
Committee for Nominations and Elections (CNE) (1-year term, renewable): The Society seeks three (3) individuals (not Board members) to serve on the CNE. Responsibilities include annually soliciting nominations and nominating a slate of candidates in accordance with the Society’s Bylaws.
(Note: According to the Bylaws, the three non-Board members of the Committee on Nomination and Elections are elected each year. The current non-Board members of the committee are David Luther, Sandy Petrulionis, and Lydia Willsky-Ciollo. All three are seeking re-election.)
The CNE is accepting nominations for open Officer, Board, and CNE positions until April 15, 2025. A nomination should include the following:
• name and contact information of the nominee;
• your rationale for the nomination; and
• confirmation of both the nominee’s membership in the Society and willingness to serve.
Nominees must be members of the Society in good standing. Each candidate shall agree to assume the responsibilities of the position they seek, including participation at all meetings and (in the case of Board members and Officers) such other activities as are appropriate, including fundraising. Nominees will be asked to submit a brief biography, a written expression of willingness to serve, and (in the case of Board members and Officers) a statement of qualifications and a personal statement of the candidate’s vision for the future of the Society (Bylaws, Sec. 4.4).
Please be sure that you have discussed the nomination with the nominee and that the person is a member in good standing of the Society, understands the duties of the position, and is willing to serve.
Send nominations (preferably by email), for receipt by April 15, 2025, to:
Sandy Petrulionis, shp2@psu.edu
Chair, Committee on Nominations and Elections
104 Sweet Gum Lane
Williamsburg, PA 16693