Official Call for Nominations

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals is looking for leaders! Nominations are now being accepted for three of the six elected TRUSTEE positions for the 2018-2020 SGMP Gilmer Institute of Learning. The incoming trustees will be installed at the 2018 SGMP National Education Conference in Norfolk, VA. Each term of office is two years. The term of office will begin July 1, 2018.

If you wish to be considered as a candidate, or wish to nominate someone else with their consent, the nomination form and information on the nominations & elections process is posted on the SGMP homepage in the Latest News section. The nominations period will remain open until 5pm Eastern time on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

Gilmer Institute of Learning

The mission of the Gilmer Institute of Learning (GIL) is to enhance the purpose and goals of SGMP by providing support to our members and chapters through educational opportunities, certifications, training, resources, scholarships and endowment funding. While each trustee has a specific professional area of focus for their responsibilities and projects, all trustees have a voice on all topics and a vote on all issues. Trustees may be tasked with working with other trustees to meet the mission of SGMP.

In addition to the three trustee positions up for election, there are another three trustees serving a term of office ending in 2019. The GIL is led by two chairs:the Advisory Chair (the national president or appointee), who oversees the policies and focus handed down from the National Board) and the Operations Chair (SGMP’s Education and Training Director), who oversees the execution of goals, operations, finances and volunteer efforts and tasks of all GIL positions on the Institute.

Here are brief position descriptions of the elected trustee positions:

Scholarship & Certification Trustees

  • Develop and recommend policies for national scholarships
  • Review applications for national NEC scholarships
  • Manage national NEC scholarship recipients’ requirements and duties
  • Advise chapter boards on NEC scholarship policies and best practices
  • Develop and recommend policies for national CGMP scholarships
  • Review and provide updates to CGMP program, as needed
  • Assist staff on policies for the CGMP certification/re-certification process

Fundraising Trustees

  • Organize and promote the annual NEC live and online auctions
  • Assist with solicitation of sponsorships for NEC & other national events
  • Consult and advise chapter fundraiser chairs on best practices
  • Consult with national treasurer to develop new revenue streams

Education & Program Trustees

  • Provide support to staff for chapters’ submissions of monthly programs
  • Advise chapters on government meetings content for monthly meetings
  • Provide input on education core competencies
  • Provide input on NEC education session content, speakers and structure

Serving as a trustee requires a considerable commitment of time and energy. Elected or appointed trustees shall not receive any compensation for their services. However, they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Trustee meetings occur twice a year at various locations across the country (but more as deemed necessary). Conference calls are scheduled periodically, as needed, and much work and correspondence is regularly accomplished via email. Most individuals who serve as a trustee find that the commitment can be quite intense, but that the experience is very rewarding.

Key Deadline Dates

Here are the key deadlines with which potential candidates and voting members should be aware:

1/19/18SGMP membership notified of positions to be elected

2/7/18Nomination forms must be received by 5pm EST

2/16-20/18All nominees are notified of their eligibility as a candidate

2/21/18List of approved candidates announced to the membership and posted online

2/22-28/18Campaign period (beginning at 5pm EST/Ends at 11:59PM EST)

3/1-7/18Electronic voting period (closes at 5pm EST)

3/9-12/18Candidates notified of results

3/13/18Members notified of results

Nominees

A member qualifies as a candidate for an elected Trustee position if you:

  • are a SGMP member in good standing for three continuous years, AND
  • have served at least one year on a chapter board, AND
  • submit the signed Supervisor Support form page of the Nomination Form, AND
  • will not (with the 2016 term) be serving more than four years as a GIL trustee; AND
  • carry a current CGMP designation.

A nomination does not assure inclusion on the official ballot. A nominee will be placed on the ballot if it is determined that he or she meets the requirements for candidacy. The committee will verify information submitted for thoroughness and accuracy with chapters and/or employers. If the position for which a member is nominated will have an excessive amount of candidates, this committee maintains the right to ask that a nominee consider a nomination for a different Trustee position. However, it is the nominee’s decision as to the position for which they wish to be a candidate.

Approved Candidates

Once nominations have closed and nominees have been verified, a balanced list of candidates will be presented by the national Nominations & Elections Committee (N&E committee) to the current National Board for ratification. The N&E committee will first notify all nominees in writing as to the determination for their candidacy (approved candidates will receive specific instruction and asked for additional items regarding campaign requirements and processes). Then the committee will announce the list of approved candidates to the membership and open the campaign period. There will be no changes to the official ballot unless a candidate withdraws or some discrepancy necessitates a change.

Nominations & Elections Committee

The N&E committee, chaired by the SGMP immediate past president, is responsible for arranging and overseeing national elections; seeking, evaluating and validating qualified Trustee candidates; and assuring a balanced list of approved candidates consistent with SGMP bylaws and policies. The committee is chaired by Robert Coffman, CGMP. Should you have any additional questions, you may contact Rob at or 202-622-0210.

Election Process

SGMP members in the Government Planner, Contract Planner, Supplier and Associate Supplier categories in good standing at 5pm Eastern Standard Time on 03/01/2018will be included on the official voting members list.

The election process will be managed by SGMP headquarters. No trustee shall hold more than one position within the Gilmer Institute of Learning at any given time and cannot serve simultaneously in any other elected or appointed position in the Society. An immediate past president of a chapter who is elected to serve as a trustee must resign from their Chapter Board position if they choose to serve as a trustee.

Campaign Policies

Here are SGMP’s general campaign policies:

  • SGMP must not be placed in any situation that would reflect poorly on the Society’s reputation in the meetings and hospitality industry.
  • Members who are considering nomination as a trustee may discuss with peers (in verbal or written communication) their interest in serving, but campaign material may not be distributed until their status as an official candidate has been confirmed and announced.
  • Members who are considering nomination, nominees, and approved candidates must exhibit dignity and decorum and must conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
  • Members who are considering nomination, nominees, and approved candidates must not speak negatively about any other member who is considering nomination, nominee, or approved candidate. Any campaigning must be based on your qualifications and what you hope to bring to SGMP.
  • Members who are considering nomination, nominees, and approved candidates are encouraged not to spend a great deal of money for campaign purposes.
  • No planner member may solicit any funds from any other member organization to assist in the cost of campaign materials.
  • No chapter may disburse any funds to support any campaign.
  • Members who are considering nomination, nominees, and approved candidates may not align with other members to form a slate (a group of candidates running together).
  • Unprofessional and/or unethical conduct by a member who is considering nomination, by a nominee, or by an approved candidate may be cause for disqualification and removal from the official ballot.