Elections – 2025 Nominations Open

Background

NAI is a member-directed organization. Except for paid staff at the business office in Fort Collins, CO (currently about 10 people), all leadership positions are held by NAI members who volunteer to serve. There is a national Board of Directors, an Advisory Council, several national committees, and a variety of chapters, known as Communities.

Communities may be geographical (called Regions), or special interest (called Sections). Communities may also be further divided into chapters (such as student organizations). Regions and Sections are led by officers who are nominated and elected by their Communities.

For more details about the NAI election process, please see the NAI Elections page and the NAI Communities Manual

Sierra Pacific Region Offices

The Sierra Pacific Region (also known by its older name “Region 9”) has 4 elected positions: Director, Deputy Director, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each officer serves for 3 years; terms are staggered so that, typically, 2 positions are elected each year. Officers are elected to three-year terms and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in any unique position.

This year, the current Treasurer and Deputy Director will each complete their terms; therefore, we are currently looking for nominations for these two offices. The new officers will be elected this fall and will begin their 3-year terms in January 2024.

Read on for information how to nominate and run for the Sierra Pacific offices currently open.

How to Nominate Yourself or Others

• For Community offices, candidates should provide statements explaining their desire to serve and their goals if elected, plus a brief biographical statement to be used in ballots. A nomination form is not required.
• Candidate statements, headshots and brief bios should be sent to the National Nominations and Elections Committee Chair (elections@interpnet.com)
• Nominations must be received by May 31, 2025.
• Questions? Please contact Sierra Pacific Director Lisa Borok (laborok@gmail.com) or the NEC chair (elections@interpnet.com)

Prerequisites for All Nominees/Candidates

All nominees and subsequent candidates must comply with the following criteria:

1. Candidates must be an NAI member in good standing at the time of nomination.
2. Candidates must maintain an active individual membership throughout the election process and their term of office, if elected.
3. Candidates must state a willingness to sign the NAI Ethics Agreement for Elected Officers should they be elected.

Timeline

• January-May 2025: Nominations accepted online by NAI national election committee (NEC) 
• June-September 2025: NEC receives and verifies nominations for community and national offices. NEC prepares online ballots for all elections. 
• October 2025: Elections for all current offices are held online for approximately 3 weeks. NAI Members receive email directly from NEC with links to ballots. 
• November 2025: Winners of each election are notified and announced by their community leadership or the national board. 
• January 2026: Newly elected officers begin their terms. 

Job Duties & Qualifications for Current Openings

Deputy Director

The Deputy Director plays a critical role in helping the Sierra Pacific Region achieve its vision, mission, and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Deputy Director is a voting officer and is directly responsible for Community chairs. They are accountable to the Community Director. This position is instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success. 

Term

This volunteer position is elected for a three-year term by the Community’s general membership.

Duties

• Participate in quarterly and as-needed meetings with the Community Leadership Team. (AKA The Regional Board) 
• Serve as or oversee Community’s Workshop Chair, 
• Help to coordinate Leadership Team Chair positions such as Scholarship Chair, Awards Chair, and Elections Chair; assist Chairs with assignments as needed. 
• Assist Community Director by ensuring Community core member services are met in accordance with Advisory Council’s Community Core Services Evaluation Form. 
• Assume Interim Community Director Role if Director cannot fulfill term. 
• Attend Advisory Council meetings if the Director cannot fulfill this commitment.  
• Other duties as assigned by Community Director.  

Time Obligations

Varies based on activities. On average, approximately 2-4 hours weekly. 

Minimum Requirements

Must be a current NAI member and member of the Sierra Pacific Community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to NAI’s vision, mission and goals. 
• A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding and investment in people, and developing an infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization. 
• Commitment to professional development and networking of Community members via conferences and other creative methods. 

Treasurer/Secretary

The Community can have these duties separate and held by two people, but in the case of a Community not being able to find enough volunteers to fill the roles separately, they can be combined. The Treasurer/ Secretary will play a critical role in helping the National Association for Interpretation achieve its vision, mission, and goals by delivering exceptional member services and professional development. The Treasurer/ Secretary is a voting officer. S/he will be accountable to the Community Director. This position will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen NAI’s nonprofit programs and position the organization for continued success. 

Term

This volunteer position is elected for a three-year term by the Community’s general membership. 

Duties

• Guide the leadership team to develop, prepare, and approve the Community’s annual budget. 
• Compare the actual revenues and expenses incurred against the budget for each quarter. 
• Ensure the Community remains in compliance with NAI’s financial policies and guidelines. 
• Approve and complete Community transactions, as well as required financial reporting forms in a timely fashion. 
• Keep the Community Leadership Team regularly informed of key financial events, trends and concerns. 
• Provide annual financial reports to the members at the Community meeting. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Director. 

Time Obligations

Varies depending on the time of year, event schedule, and any additional roles or committees assumed. Estimated average time is 2-10 hours per month. 

Minimum Requirements

Must be a current NAI member and member of the Sierra Pacific Community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 
• Ability to work as a team and complete assignments in a timely manner. 
• Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of software, such as the Microsoft Office, and Google Workplace. 
• Financial understanding and experience developing, tracking, and balancing budgets.