Running for State Office: Choosing a Position

Georgia Association of Nursing StudentsNominations and Elections Committee

Hey there potential candidates!

We put together this presentation to match potential candidates with positions based on personality! What follows is a short description from the current officers about what they like about their position and how it fits with their personality. Hopefully it will help you decide which position will be a good fit for you!-The GANS NEC

PresidentWhat I do:

● Hold board members accountable ● Know everything that is going on with every member and every aspect of GANS● Give speeches to other organizations (GANE, GNA, etc) about GANS● Follow up with members at large and ensure their concerns/questions/etc are being addressed

and voiced● Keep meetings on schedule and members on topic ● Have knowledge of GANS bylaws● Assist in any way needed

What I like:● There is always something to do, something to learn, and something to be a part of● Being involved in every aspect but directly responsible for only parts of it

What it takes:● Organization, dedication, people skills, ability to constructively critique/analyze people and

situations, communication skills, not being afraid to take disciplinary actions (if needed), follow-through and follow-up, time (numerous hours each week), and a willingness to serve in any capacity

● It is not for the meek or shy

First Vice PresidentWhat I do:

● Plan monthly meetings● Plan annual state convention● Project manager

What I like:● Working closely with every member of the team to get projects completed● Identifying the strengths of each member of the team and strategically placing them on projects

where their skills are best utilized● Building close relationships with each member of the team

What it takes:● Superior time management and project managing skills● Organizational skills and an eye for details● The ability to work well with others

Second Vice PresidentWhat I do:

● Communicate with speakers, vendors, and sponsors by email and phone● Help organize the annual convention

What I like:● Being able to leave my personal mark on GANS by organizing the convention

What it takes:● Organizational and communication skills● Working knowledge of professional communication● Great working relationship with the 1st VP, because you spend a lot of time together● Working knowledge of procurement, sales, and negotiation tactics● A lot of time, anywhere from 2-4 hours per week

SecretaryWhat I do:

● Record minutes at all meetings● Correspond with school chapters● Email state minutes to NSNA to ensure constituency status for the annual convention

What it takes:● Familiarity with formatting agendas and writing shorthand● Quick and accurate typing skills● Time management and organization● Written communication skills

What I like:● Being part of a team● Working with the board on projects around the state● Being on various committees● Being involved but not in charge of everything

TreasurerWhat I do:

● Write and deposit checks● Make sure transactions are correct● Manage the bank accounts● Manage the budget● File annual registration, taxes, and non profit forms● Report on financial standing● Approve funds for expenses● Fundraise● Check the mail and manage the storage unit

What I like:● It is mostly clerical work that doesn't require a lot of creativity● Being able to work with everyone and know what the committees are doing

What it takes:● Time management skills● Organization● Ability to maintain records● Patience

Publications DirectorWhat I do:

● Publish the annual GANS convention booklets● Publish the quarterly EKG newsletter and submits to NSNA for disbursement● Submit an article biannually to NSNA for publication for the “Happenings” column● Submit award applications for NSNA Newsletter and Website Awards● Provide a monthly report to board members at GANS meetings● Update and maintains GANS website● Monitor the GANS Facebook group page

What I like:● I get to communicate GANS happenings to all of the GANS members● I get to use my creativity to design newsletters, the website and e-blasts● I get to setup my own schedule at the beginning of the term

What it takes:● Creativity● Organization and time management● Ability to meet short deadlines● Ability to publish communications on time● Self motivation and ability to motivate others

Public Relations DirectorWhat I do:

● Maintain contact with previous exhibitors and create relationships with new exhibitors● Organize a presentation on the image of nursing

What I like:● Communicating with the board and with sponsors● Forging professional relationships

What it takes:● Ability to be organized● Communication skills to get sponsors● Maintain professional relationships● Outgoing personality to make new relationships● Time management

Breakthrough to Nursing DirectorWhat I do:

● Organize, represent and mentor students● Recruitment and retention of nursing students● Promote respect for differences and similarities between people● Assist in development of peer support systems like mentoring● Encourage a culturally diverse group of men and women to explore nursing

What it takes:● Organizational skills● Outgoing personality● Ability to host events● Ability to talk to people of all backgrounds

What I like:● Helping with the image of nursing by debunking nursing stereotypes● Meeting young students and inspiring them to realize the value of nursing

Community Health DirectorWhat I do:

● Coordinate events● Get donations● Get people involved and excited● Plan schedules● Communicate with schools and businesses

What I like:It is a rewarding and fantastic learning experienceThe possibilities and opportunitiesOpportunities to work with othersMaking a difference in the community

What it takes:● Organization● Communication skills● Flexibility● Perserverance● Delegating tasks● Creativity● Desire to help others

Legislative DirectorWhat I do:

● keep up with legislative issues on a state and national level● working with other organizations like GNA● work on the GANS resolution for NSNA● chair the GANS/GNA legislative committee and co-chair the bylaws and legislative committee● maintain Roberts Rules of Order during the meeting

What I like:● politics in general● the challenge of making politics understandable to all

What it takes:● a political mind● eye for details● time to keep up with bills and legal initiatives● ability to format documents● communication skills with the authors of resolutions● ability to compromise

North District DirectorWhat I do:

● serve as the link between GANS and SNAs in GA● reach out to nursing students and SNAs to keep them informed of GANS and NSNA events● as Chair, I organize COSL

What I like:● networking opportunities● building relationships with students around the state

What it takes:● great people and communication skills● persistence● creativity● organization● ability to work with others and delegate tasks● put a plan into action

East District DirectorWhat I do:

● form relationships with fellow nursing students across GA● help organize COSL

What I like:● using my strengths and abilities as a leader to help others● the opportunity to do more than just school

What it takes:● time management

South District DirectorWhat I do:

● represent nursing students in south GA● help organize COSL

What I like:● being able to work with the other district directors and dividing up tasks

What it takes:● patience● time● good organizational skills● friendly, energetic nature● thick skin● good people skills

West District DirectorWhat I do:

● help plan COSL and convention● serve on different committees● it is more than just the basic job description, I help out in a lot of different areas

What I like:● meeting people and interacting with the board● having an awesome name tag, pin, and set of business cards to rep GANS

What it takes:● time management and organization● balance between GANS and school● ability to call companies for donations● flexibility (always good in nursing)● sociable and good at interacting with others

Assistant to the District DirectorsWhat I do:

● assist the district directors● spread the word about GANS/NSNA membership and upcoming activities like COSL● hospitality chair● thank you notes and congratulations● general cheerleader and positive attitude● help plan COSL

What I like:● being able to help out with so much● encouraging others to be involved

What it takes:● attendance at all board meetings● professional nature● being a team player● having realistic goals● positive attitude at all times

*Note: You cannot run for this position, it is chosen after elections by the board.

Alternate Board MemberWhat I do:

● be aware of all that is going on with the board positions● be ready to take over if a position is vacant, with the exceptions of president, vice president,

and any position from a district that is not my own● serve on various committees

What I like:● being connected with each board member● the fact that the time commitment is not too extensive

What it takes:● communication● organization● creativity● ability to take initiative

Note: You cannot run for this position. It is chosen by the board from amongst people who ran for a position but did not win and are still interested in being on the board.

NEC NorthWhat I do:

● NEC chair is in charge of the NEC● attend monthly meetings● receive and review candidate applications● supply ballots for the annual election● run NEC committee meetings

What I like:● working with the board on projects● camaraderie

What it takes:● leadership● organization and time management● ability to motivate others● self motivation● creativity● communication skills● use of technology● people person● professional attitude

NEC EastWhat I do:

● seek out candidates● run the election process● know the bylaws

What I like:● encouraging others to get involved● the time commitment is manageable with school

What it takes:● outgoing personality● ability to speak in front of others

NEC SouthWhat I do:

● work with South District Director in order to increase the number of candidates to run for state office

● take part in numerous committees, especially COSL and State Convention● be the “go to” person for candidates running for office within my district● make sure candidates have the proper paperwork

What I like:● communicating with schools● meeting with fellow board members

What it takes:● a lot of traveling from the south● patience, patience, patience● persistence● enthusiasm● friendly and sociable personality

NEC WestWhat I do:

● inform others about the different positions on the GANS board● help potential candidates find their best fit● help with COSL● help with the annual convention● help on other various committees

What I like:● interacting with and encouraging others

What it takes:● organization● enthusiasm● friendliness● ability to talk to and encourage others