- Elections: Thursday, April 21, 2016, at MIPA’s Spring Awards & On-Site Contests
- Can’t be at the Spring Awards? Request an absentee ballot by March 31 to vote
- Deadline to Declare Candidacy: Thursday, April 14, 2015
- Fill Out This Form to Run for MIPA’s Board. We’ll ask you for some information about yourself and a photo we can publish on MIPA’s website so that our members can learn about the candidates before the election.
Consider running for an open seat on MIPA’s executive board.
Being on the board is a great chance to learn more about scholastic journalism and to become a part of the decision-making process when it comes to conferences, workshops, contests and other MIPA programs.
Three MIPA executive board positions are open this year: first vice president and two trustees. More information about these positions is included below.
Trustees serve for a two-year term.
First vice president is a five-year commitment to MIPA: two years as first vice president, two years as MIPA’s president and one year as past president. The first vice president receives an annual stipend of $250. The president receives an annual stipend of $500.
MIPA’s volunteer board generally meets six times per academic year on Saturdays in East Lansing (MIPA’s bylaws require board members to attend least four of those meetings to continue in their positions). Meetings typically are held in September, October, December, January, late February/early March (this is a Friday evening meeting immediately before MIPA’s annual Saturday Judging Day) and May. The next year’s meeting schedule is typically set by May.
Please consider running. We know everyone is busy, but this might just be the time for you to get active at the state level in an organization that serves students and teachers all over Michigan.
2016 Open Positions on MIPA’s Board
MIPA’s executive board sets policy and direction of the organization. The board includes elected officers (president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, treasurer and four trustees), the immediate past president and chairpersons of standing committees (newspaper, yearbook, video and digital media). All officers are elected for two-year terms. The current board can be found here.
All members of MIPA’s board play a critical role in ensuring the organization meets the needs of its members and that MIPA’s activities fulfill its mission to promote and enhance scholastic journalism in the state. All elected officers must be current teachers/advisers and must be MIPA members. See MIPA’s bylaws for more information about these positions and the role of MIPA’s board.
Here’s a look at the role of each of elected officer positions up for election this year:
First Vice President
The first vice president automatically becomes MIPA’s president after serving for two years. MIPA’s bylaws state that the first vice president “shall work with the President and Director in arranging the spring business meeting. In addition, the first Vice President shall be responsible for planning and implementing the adviser’s retreat if one is held and will also help the Executive Director plan and carry out both the fall and spring conferences.” Run for this position
Trustee (2 openings)
MIPA’s board has four trustee positions. Two of these seats are up for election this year for two-year terms. The bylaws state that trustees “shall be responsible for outreach and will work with the Second Vice President on helping advisers and schools who request such. Trustees will handle elections, on-site contests at the spring conference and take photos (or arrange to have them taken) of MIPA events, such as the spring conference.” Run for this position
If you’d like more information about the duties of the board, please call the MIPA office at 517-353-6761 or email us at mipa@msu.edu.