Take this critical first step that puts you on the path to serve as International President from July 2027 to June 2028. You will be making a five-year commitment that sees you advance as a SWANA Officer from Secretary to Treasurer, Vice President, President and ultimately Past President, ending your commitment in June 2029.

SWANA’s officers are at the center of efforts to grow and transform the Association and to serve the industry. By serving, you can have a genuine impact on the people and programs in the solid waste industry.

Applications to serve as the FY2024 International Secretary position are being accepted now. To apply, submit your application online by 5:00 p.m. ET February 1, 2024.

Application

The online application requests the following information for each candidate:

  • Number of year you have been a SWANA member in good standing.
  • A summary of your integrated and solid waste and resource management experience.
  • A summary of your SWANA governance experience.
  • A summary of your professional experience
  • A a summary of your interpersonal and communication skills.

You will also be required to upload the following to complete you nomination:

  • Your professional resume, including SWANA involvement
  • A Letter of Interest, including a description of your vision for implementing SWANA's strategic plan and your leadership goals as a SWANA officer.
  • Letters of support from your SWANA chapter and/or Technical Division. Both are preferred, where applicable
  • Letters of support or other documentation supporting candidate’s contribution to SWANA.
  • Letter of support from your employer, where applicable. This letter of support must include language that acknowledges the candidate’s obligation to attend officer and board meetings and teleconferences; to attend WASTECON; to attend other SWANA events as invited to represent the Association (as available); and to generally devote the time required to fulfill the duties of office for a five-year period.

Selection Criteria

The Nominating Committee must use the following selection criteria as minimum standards in identification of a candidate for Secretary:

  1. Candidates must have been active SWANA members for a minimum of five years.
  2. Candidates must have participated in the governance of SWANA as local chapter officers/directors, and/or as Board members, Advisory Board delegates1 and/or as active members of standing committee or Technical Division leadership committee.
  3. Candidates must not currently be officers or directors in any organization whose governance would conflict with SWANA’s best interests and understand that they cannot take on any obligation that would cause a conflict as long as they are a SWANA officer.
  4. Candidates must contribute to the diversity of SWANA officers and Board (BOD) members, including, without limitation, some or all the following characteristics as considered and determined by the Nominating Committee.
    • Public/private sector experience, both types of public entities (such as cities or other municipalities, counties, authorities)     and private entities (such as small/large corporations).
    • Business sector experience (such as financial, legal, consulting, manufacturers. sales, services, contractors, suppliers.)
    • Experience in some aspect of planning, leading, operating, or regulating an integrated waste management system (regulatory, collection, waste conversion or energy recovery, disposal, recycling, composting, special waste.)
    • Professional skills, such as technical, financial, management.
  5. Candidates must be effective facilitators and portray a positive image for SWANA through the demonstration of the following characteristics:
    • Interpersonal skills (leadership, consensus-building.)
    • Communication skills (public speaking, presentations, meeting facilitation, responsiveness)
    • Expressed vision for implementing SWANA’s strategic plan and his/ her leadership goals as a SWANA officer
    • Other characteristics the Nominating Committee believes it appropriate to consider.

At the discretion of the Nominating Committee, there may be a virtual interview of the top candidates for Secretary.

 

PROCESS

  • Candidates submit applications by 5:00 PM ET on February 1, 2024.
  • SWANA's Nominating Committee review the candidate applications based on the selection criteria. At the discretion of the Nominating Committee, there may be a virtual interview of the top candidates for Secretary.
  • The Nominating Committee finalizes its decision and recommends the candidate to the SWANA Board of Directors for approval.  
  • The nominee will then be on the ballot that will be distributed to all SWANA members in good standing for a vote.