Governance Information

The Board of Trustees consists of six Regional Trustees, one At-Large Trustee, President, Vice President, Immediate Past President (every other year), Secretary, Treasurer, Speaker of the House, and Executive Director. It is important to note that this change does not in any way modify the current composition of Districts. 

Applications for leadership positions are now being accepted for the governance year beginning July 1, 2024. If you are interested in applying for any of the positions, please contact your District Secretary, download and complete the application, and submit all the required information to your District Secretary by your District’s deadline for candidate submission to allow the District sufficient time to select its one candidate for each position.

All Districts must submit the completed Candidate Information packet for its candidate for each position to the MDS Secretary by February 20, 2024. To identify your District Secretary, visit your respective District page.

Requirements for Regional Trustee:

District Responsibilities: Districts shall nominate one candidate from their own District for Regional Trustee and compose a letter of support for the candidate.

Candidate Requirements:

1. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from his/her District.
2. Must be member in good standing.  
3. Must review the Conflict of Interest Policy and complete the Conflict of Interest and Compliance Statement
4. An individual who has been selected to be a Regional Trustee must pay the following year’s MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31 or the Trustee Selection and Nominations. Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable.  
5. Shall have served on the District Executive Committee, MDS Committee, or similar leadership roles in other organizations.  
6. No Regional Trustee may serve more than two two-year terms and a cumulative total of five years as a Regional Trustee.  
7. Must represent the interests of the Society and be a fiduciary guardian of Society.
8. Regional Trustees cannot serve on any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as Regional Trustee.
9. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing he/she has not served more than 3 years on the BOT.
10. The Board shall develop other criteria annually as it sees fit that may be position specific based on the positions available. 

Requirements for At-Large Trustee:

District Responsibilities:  In addition to the candidate for the Regional Trustee position, Districts may nominate one candidate from their own District for At-Large Trustee and compose a letter of  support for the candidate. 

Candidate Requirements:

1. Must be member in good standing.  
2. Candidates must have served in prior leadership roles and/or received leadership training.
3. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from their District.
4. An individual who has been selected to be an At-large Trustee must pay MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31. Failing that, the Trustee Selection and Nominations Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable.  
5. Cannot serve more than 2 one-year terms as At-Large Trustee.
6. The At-Large Trustee cannot serve in any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as At-Large Trustee.
7. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing they have not served more than 3 years on the BOT.