ELECTION PROCESS AND DETAILS

Fermenta’s Board member elections will take place online in December. Watch your email for voting details. Login to your Fermenta account here to update your email address.

ELECTION PROCESS

Board Member Terms are for 2 years.
Only current Active Fermenta members may run for a Board position and/or vote in the election.
Voting will be online this year.
If you are interested in running, you must fill out the "Fermenta Board Officers Election Form" by December 4, 2023.
To run, you must have one current Active member or Board Member nominate you.
Active members may nominate a candidate via email, in writing, or verbally. Submit a copy of the nomination email or document, or email the name and contact information of the nominating member to Fermenta.michigan@gmail.com.
Active members may nominate one individual for each Board position – no multiple nominations for the same position. For example, a member may not nominate more than one candidate for Secretary.
The Elections Committee will tally the votes and announce the 2024 Board officers at the end of the election period.
The newly-elected Board members officially take office on January 1^st of 2024.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES

Board members meet on a monthly basis, usually via video conference, but sometimes in-person. The Board generally schedules meetings around each Board member’s availability.
To familiarize themselves with the duties of their new position, Board members-elect shadow the corresponding outgoing Board member until their term begins in January.
To see an outline of each position’s specific duties, please see below.

Submit for Board Position

FERMENTA BOARD MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Below are the Board member position descriptions. Each Board position is a two-year term, from January 1 to December 31. Half of the positions are up for election each year, (alternating 2 year terms) even if a current Board member is re-running. Only Active Fermenta Members may vote in the election and/or run for a Board position.

VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President assists the President in performing the above or other specified duties. She acts as President in the absence or disability of the President, performing the above or other specified duties.

Duties:

Attend monthly Board meetings
Assist the President in the above or other specified duties
Act as the President in the absence or disability of the President
Perform any special areas of responsibility, such as membership, communications, events, elections, legal filings, etc.
Oversee any committees as necessary
Attend as many Fermenta events as possible

TREASURER

The Treasurer oversees the management and reporting of Fermenta’s finances. The Treasurer works with all Board members on a regular basis to ensure financial responsibility. The Treasurer is responsible for preparing all financial documents on a timely basis, distributing these documents to Board members, and maintaining adequate copies and backups of all financial data. The Treasurer should be financially literate, pay close attention to detail, be timely in completing tasks, and keep neat and accurate records.

Duties:

Attend monthly Board meetings
Perform all necessary monthly financial tasks
Maintain the bank account
Track expenditure receipts
Monitor monthly scholarship expenses
Account for all donations
Track/calculate monthly fees
Prepare, store, and distribute to Board members any monthly financial statements
Submit the annual 990 form to the Internal Revenue Service
Submit the annual corporations report to the State of Michigan
Create yearly financial statements
Propose and present an annual budget
Monitor finances as they correspond to the budget
Maintain a cash box for events
Assist as needed with events
Attend as many Fermenta events as possible

DIRECTOR AT LARGE FOR COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH

The Communications Director is responsible for monitoring communications activities to promote, enhance, and protect Fermenta through social media, media contacts, visual advertising development, and any additional projects as needed. The Communications Director must monitor social media accounts on a daily basis.

Duties:

Attend monthly Board meetings
Work closely with other Board members to promote all events
Oversee the drafting and sending out of a monthly newsletter
Monitor social media accounts on a daily basis
Create social media posts to advertise and promote events, scholarships, etc.
Help create and order promotional products
Act as media contact for press releases or interviews
Assist in planning events as needed
Attend as many events as possible