The Nominating Committee is ready to carry out its task to identify and recruit candidates for election in May to open UMRA officer and board positions. The committee members include Diane Young, current president-elect and Program Committee chair; Jerry Rinehart, URVC Council Chair; current Board members Jan McCulloch and Michael Hancher; and three non-Board UMRA members: Cathy Lee Gierke, Gary Engstrand, and Andy Phelan. Immediate Past-president Eric Hockert is the committee chair. 

Several current Board members are eligible for second, three-year terms, and some are continuing three-year terms. 

According to the UMRA bylaws, the Board may consist of up to 21 members, including the five elected officers (president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, URVC Council chair), the immediate past-president, 12 directors at large, and up to three additional directors who have served as president. 

We will present a final slate of candidates to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for approval at their March meetings. The slate will be published in UMRA’s May newsletter, and the election will be held online prior to UMRA’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Luncheon Forum on May 20, when the results of the election will be shared. 

You can find position descriptions at umra.umn.edu > Resources > Governance and Operating Documents > UMRA Bylaws 2-2023. 

If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for president-elect or a position on the UMRA board, feel free to contact me (Eric) or any of the other Nominating Committee members. 

—Eric Hockert, UMRA past president and 2025 Nominating Committee chair