Nominations Open for JAWS Board of Directors

JAWS Needs You! 

Our strength is in the experience, talents and wisdom of our members – and our leadership comes from within. 

If you want to advance journalism and the place of women and women-identifying people in it, grow our impact as an organization and develop skills and connections within our membership, board service is for you. 

It’s time to nominate yourself or another member for our Board of Directors and officers positions. JAWS needs leaders who can work together and move forward the JAWS mission:

“To advance the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism and advocate for more inclusive coverage of the diverse experiences and cultures that comprise our society.”

JAWS has NINE open Board positions that will be determined by online election and announced at CAMP in October.

The open positions are:

1. Five general board seats (two-year terms)

2. President-elect (one-year term followed by two-year term as president) 

3. Vice President (two-year term)

3. Secretary (one-year term to fill vacant seat)

4. Treasurer (two-year term) 

To qualify for the ballot the nominee must, per JAWS bylaws:

Be a current member of JAWS. If you are not a current member, you can join before the elections.

Have attended at least one CAMP previous to this year. If you are elected to the board, we strongly encourage you to attend the 2026 CAMP in Santa Monica, CA but this is not required for eligibility.

All Board Members are expected to:

• Sign and abide by the JAWS conflict of interest policy annually.

• Make attending Board meetings a priority.

• Review all Board-related materials including minutes, agenda and financial reports.

• Actively participate in JAWS’ strategic-planning and fund development efforts.

• Donate financially an amount that is meaningful to you (no minimum required, but donors want to see 100% board giving).

• Attend and support JAWS functions, activities and events, when possible.

• Encourage JAWS members to get involved on committees and other related activities.

• Act as a champion and promoter of JAWS.

• Learn more about the expectations and responsibilities of serving on the JAWS Board in the JAWS bylaws.

Specific to President-elect:

Member of the Executive Committee, which handles necessary business between meetings. The President-elect shall assist the President and shall be considered in training that year for leadership of the organization, closely collaborating with the president.  After one year, this position ascends to a two-year presidential term. Should both the President and Vice President be unable to perform their duties, the President-Elect shall accede to the presidency for the remainder of the term.

Specific to Vice President:

The vice president shall assist and advise the president as needed. In the event of the disability of the president, the vice president (or president-elect/officer-at-large, if the vice president is unavailable) shall assume her duties. If the president cannot serve out her term for any reason, the vice president shall accede to the presidency for the remainder of the term.

Specific to Secretary:

The Secretary shall record, maintain, and circulate to Board Members and staff copies of the minutes of all Board meetings. Should the Secretary be unable to record the minutes of the meeting, they shall ensure that someone else takes on this responsibility. The Secretary will ensure that minutes are posted in a timely manner. The Secretary shall in general perform all other duties that arise relevant to the office of secretary and undertake other duties assigned by the President. 

Specific to Treasurer:

Under the direction of the Board, the treasurer shall be responsible for funds and securities of the corporation. She shall aid the staff in preparing the organization’s annual budget and head the Finance Committee. She shall present an accurate and clear copy of the budget for the next fiscal year and make copies of it available to members. She shall ensure that the organization is in compliance with Internal Revenue Service requirements and any other regulations needed for the organization to conduct business. If the Board appoints a committee on legal compliance, the treasurer shall serve as a member. The treasurer also shall be a member of the Fund Development Committee. She shall undertake from time to time any additional duties assigned by the president.

THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MONDAY AUG. 24, VIA THIS FORM or EMAIL TO HELLO@JAWS.ORG

Nominees will be asked to complete a questionnaire. The Elections Committee will present a list of eligible nominees to members for electronic voting in September.

If you have any questions about the roles, expectations or process, please reach out at hello@jaws.org