If you have interest in running for the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Congress, we are pleased that you have considered putting your name up for nomination.

Please read the information here regarding the process of election and the responsibilities if elected.

Should you put your name into nomination, you will be expected to be present at the upcoming Youth & Adult Convention. You will need to provide a 2 minute video taped speech which will be played to the teens and adults at the NDSC Youth & Adults Conference. Your speech should tell the audience a little about yourself and why you feel you would make a good board member for the NDSC.

Everyone brings unique and special qualities to the board and every person with Down syndrome has many talents and assets. Your job will be expressing what yours are to the voters. Some people have been quite creative in their 2 minutes. Campaigning can be extend to creating one poster which will be displayed in the registration area at Self Advocate Council tables. A handout or give away may also be made available in this area.

How to join the Board

Download and complete the Nomination Form and mail it together with your photo to:

NDSC Center
Attn: Self Advocate Nominations
30 Mansell Court
Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30076

Don’t wait. The deadline is May 25. Remember if your photo and form do not get in by the deadline your name and photo will not be on the election ballot.

Good luck!

NDSC Information on Self Advocate Board Member Process

I. Board Member Responsibilities:

1. Be a member in good standing of the NDSC.
2. Participate as an active member of NDSC committee(s).
3. Personally assume responsibility for paying all expenses related to board membership (e.g. travel expenses to attend board meetings; incidental telephone and postage expenses; convention registration, etc.). Based upon need, however, it is possible to request financial assistance.
4. Attend all board meetings (a minimum of 2 meetings per year for the full board meetings).

II. Nominating Process:

1. Any member with Down syndrome, 22 years old or older, in good standing in the NDSC is eligible for nomination to the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Congress.
2. Self-nominations as well as nominations by third parties are accepted (provided the third party has secured the consent of the nominee).
3. During the annual Y&A Conference held in conjunction with the NDSC Annual Convention all self advocates nominated will be voted upon by the Youth & Adults Conference attendees. The winning candidate’s name (the person with the plurality of the votes) will be submitted to the full membership at the General Membership Meeting as part of the slate of nominees.
4. In the event there is a vacancy in one of the three Board seats reserved for a self advocate, it will be filled by the same process used to fill any other unexpired Board seat, except the person selected must be a self advocate.

III. Makeup of the Board Membership

The NDSC seeks wide representation in its board membership and considers factors such as geographical representation, areas of expertise, minority representation, and prior experience on non-profit boards and self advocacy groups. NDSC members are encouraged to be active members of NDSC Committees and to attend board meetings prior to being nominated to the Board.

IV. Terms of Office

Self advocates serve a term of three years.

V. Process Guidelines

In the spirit of providing equal opportunity for all nominees, the following processes will be enforced. Campaigning will be limited to the Self Advocate Council area near registration, where nominees can meet and greet attendees, display one poster, and have a flier or card available to give away. Every effort should be made to video tape a campaign speech and provide the convention committee with a copy prior to the convention. Each speech should be limited to 2 minutes. Speeches will be played to the Youth and Adult conference attendees according to the program schedule. Once speeches have begun, no further campaigning will be allowed by friends, family or the nominee. Voting will occur after the completion of all speeches.