28 | BALANCING THE SCALES | July 19, 2021
KFTC 2021 (VIRTUAL) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Friday, July 30 – Saturday, July 31
Nominations for KFTC, KY Coalition leadership positions The KFTC Leadership Development Committee recommended, and the Steering Committee has approved, a slate of candidates for KFTC’s Executive Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board who will lead KFTC through our organizational transitions and racial equity work, exemplify KFTC’s commitment to shared leadership, and who are highly qualified to fulfill the role. The committee’s work was also responsive to the Steering Committee’s recent change to KFTC’s bylaws, allowing for a co-chair on the Executive Committee, and with an eye toward KFTC’s Organizational Change Initiative. The nominees will be considered for election by members present at the Annual Business Meeting on July 31. The Leadership Development committee’s process The Leadership Development Committee developed questions to ask of candidates. They asked about work with KFTC and other organizations, identities that they carry, growing edges, how they approach conflict, their experience working across lines of difference, and their reflections on what makes change happen. The committee carefully reviewed these responses, along with information about who made the nominations, and any reasons given for nominations. Then over the course of two video calls, committee carefully reviewed these responses and developed a slate of recommendations based on the candidates’ profiles, responses to questions, their involvement with KFTC and the broader community, information about who made the nominations, and any reasons given for nominating each person. KFTC Executive Committee KFTC’s Executive Committee has consisted of five officers who also serve on KFTC’s Steering Committee and who make necessary decisions between Steering Committee meetings. Four members of the Executive Committee were elected. The fifth position has been the immediate past chairperson. In their May meeting, the Steering Committee approved a possible
expansion to the Executive Committee to 1) allow co-chairs, and 2) to allow for a vacant ImmediatePast Chair position to be substituted with a second At-Large position. This means that the Leadership Development Committee could put forth a slate of up to six members. This year, that would be up to two Co-Chairs, two At-Large positions, one Vice-Chair, and one Secretary-Treasurer who also serves as chair of the Finance Committee. To serve on the Executive Committee, a person must be a current member of KFTC, may not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of KFTC or the Kentucky Coalition, and may not serve more than two consecutive one-year terms in the same position. The Leadership Development Committee strives to put together a diverse slate of four qualified candidates, taking into account a diversity of characteristics including gender, age, race, income, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, and issue interests. In addition to the above criteria, there are a number of desired traits the Leadership Development Committee keeps in mind as we consider individuals nominated to serve on KFTC’s Executive Committee. These criteria have been developed by the committee over time and revisited every year. We seek people who: • Are visionaries who connect under-served and marginalized folks together • Not only reflect the diversity of our membership (gender, age, race, income, geography, issue, etc), but reflect the diversity of who we envision our membership to become as we continue to imagine, envision, and change. • Are good financial advocates and fundraisers (an authentic person who is effective and willing to tell their own story and KFTC’s story, and to ask others to invest in our work) • Have a good working relationship with staff and Executive Director • Demonstrate a commitment to KFTC’s vision
and values • Are knowledgeable about KFTC’s program of work (have experience working with a statewide committee and/or the Steering Committee and/ or a local chapter), and are able to see connections among our issues. • Listen well and build consensus • Are respectful and work well with others (not controlling or domineering) • See issues from others’ points of view and work toward consensus • Are good at thinking through complex organizational challenges • Are good at developing strategies and plans • Keep the larger picture in view and operate on the basis of what’s best for the whole organization • Stand up for what they think is best for KFTC but be willing to accede to others’ opinions • In this Organizational Change Initiative moment: Have experience with KFTC to contribute for Organizational change, committed to KFTC, committed to KFTC for the long haul. Current Executive Committee: The following is the current Executive Committee: • The chair is Cassia Herron. She has served two years and is not eligible for another term in that position. She would become the immediate past chair unless elected to another Executive Committee position. But Cassia has decided to transition off the Executive Committee. • The vice-chair is Alan Smith. He has served two years and is not eligible for another term in that position. • The secretary-treasurer is Rebecca Tucker. She has served two years and is not eligible for another term in that position. • The at-large representative is Tiff Duncan. She has served one year and is eligible for another term in that position. • The fifth position on the Executive Committee is an unelected position filled by the immediate past chair. This position is currently filled by former chair Meta Mendel-Reyes.
