Here Your Voice Will Be Heard!

An important notice to our members! The Nominations Committee and the Board of Directors of the Thomas Merton Center have decided to change the process of electing members to the Board of Directors, so that all our members will have more input and the Board can function more efficiently. In the past, Board Members have been elected by the Board -- although nominations by members were always encouraged. Beginning next year, the Board will be nominated and elected once a year by the membership. This will give members the power to say who should serve on the Board of the Thomas Merton Center.  Board members will serve two-year terms, with terms overlapping to keep continuity. This will make it possible for the new Board Members to get orientation at the beginning of their term, which was difficult until now with members joining the Board throughout the year. This new system should be in place for the coming year with nominations during the spring and summer of 2005 and elections in early fall, in time for the October Board Meeting. The New Board will be introduced to you, the Membership, at the Merton Center Award Dinner in November.

In the February 2005 issue of The NewPeople, we will print more details of the timeline for the new process, and criteria for new Board Members, with information on how to nominate and elect the new Board. We are very excited about this new way to give the Membership a voice and to help prepare our new Board Members for their responsibilities. We look forward to receiving your nominations and votes in the coming year!  Do get involved.  Here your vote will count!

- Bridget L. Colvin, Edith Bell and Mongezi Nkomo, Nominations Committee for the TMC