ABA Nomination and Election Guidelines

Qualifications of Director and Officer Candidates

1. Candidates for the Board of Directors must be booksellers or owners of an ABA regular, used, or online-only member store as defined in ABA Bylaws, Article II (2).

2. Board candidates must have at least three years of recent bookselling experience as a bookstore owner or employee.

3. Two years of experience as an active volunteer in ABA, regional bookselling association, or other community organization, or possess similar experience is preferred but not required.

1. The candidate is committed to the Association’s mission, Ends Policies, objectives, and strategic process, and committed to working in a manner that demonstrates ABA's commitment to antiracism, access, representation, and equity.

2. The candidate demonstrates a willingness and ability to devote time to board work.

3. The candidate is committed to the principles of fiduciary responsibility.

4. The candidate is committed to the best interests of all core members of ABA.

5. The candidate demonstrates good listening skills and be able to engage opposing points of view. The candidate must agree to abide by and support the decisions of the Board as a whole, even when he/she may have a contrary personal opinion.

6. The candidate demonstrates an ability to negotiate and compromise.

7. The candidate exhibits qualities of leadership, creativity, and intelligence.

8. The candidate has a strong reputation for integrity and character.

9. The candidate contributes to the overall composition of the Board to help ensure that the Board is representative of the Association's diversity in terms of region, identity, skills, and experience.

10. The candidate engages in the industry, either regionally or nationally, and have a reputation for working well with others and contributing to the industry.