In November, CSMFO members will be electing a new board member for the north, another for the south, and our next president-elect from the south. Our association bylaws were amended earlier this year through a vote of the membership and changes included modifications to our annual elections process. Article III, Section C, Elections, now reads:

“A nominating committee shall be annually appointed by the president no less than one hundred thirty-five (135) days prior to the start of the next annual conference. The composition of the nominating committee shall be the president-elect, president, immediate past president, and up to five (5) additional past presidents. The president-elect shall chair the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall develop a slate consisting of one (1) candidate for northern California board members, one (1) candidate for southern California board member and one (1) candidate for president-elect.

A general invitation may be extended to all municipal members soliciting nominations for the positions of president-elect or board member. In addition, the nominating committee may solicit, identify or employ other methods as deemed appropriate to recruit members for nomination consideration.

The nominating committee is to report its recommendations to the secretary-treasurer no less than one hundred five (105) days prior to the start of the following year’s annual conference. The secretary-treasurer shall deliver ballots, by any means approved by the board of directors, to all members not later than ninety (90) days prior to the following year’s annual conference, and voting shall be open for thirty (30) days.”

The newly elected board members will serve three-year terms and will officially be seated at the upcoming 2021 CSMFO Annual Conference in February. The president-elect will serve as president beginning at the 2022 San Diego conference, and will round out a three-year term as past president in 2023.

Any municipal member in good standing is eligible for election to membership on the board or for the office of president-elect, and all members in good standing may vote in the upcoming elections. For further information, including the duties for directors and officers, please review the bylaws on the CSMFO website .

Ideally board member candidates typically have demonstrated track records of prior CSMFO leadership experience on committees or in local chapters, and often times both, and successful president-elect candidates have generally served on the CSMFO Board. Should you wish to recommend a candidate for nomination for any of these upcoming board seats, please feel free to email me by September 30, 2020, at president@csmfo.org. Ballots will be emailed to members in mid-November, and election results will be announced in mid-December.

And if this talk of elections has you wondering how you can get more actively involved in CSMFO, feel free to reach out to me for further discussion on that as well. No pressure, no judgment, but I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or provide you with additional information. Active involvement in CSMFO can definitely be a career enhancing opportunity, and a personally rewarding experience as well.

In closing, many thanks to Mia Corral Brown and our friends at Chandler Asset Management for sponsoring our September Steps Challenge. At last check, my step count was nowhere close to the top steppers, but this friendly virtual fitness competition involving some 100 participants is proving to be a fun way to stay connected and physically active. Door Dash prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors and bragging rights for the chapter with the highest average when the competition closes at the end of September.

Finally, to those impacted by COVID-19, or more recently by the terrible wildfires up and down the state, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care, be well, stay safe, and don’t forget to get your steps in.