The WGA Board is working on some changes to the organization bylaws. One of the items we are considering is a member suggestion to change the length of board member terms from two years to three, with three of nine board member positions being filled during each annual election. Board members are currently elected for two years at a time with four or five open positions during each annual election.

Here are some arguments in favor of each approach.

• Under three year terms, the maximum number of board members that would turn over in a normal election would be one third which could lead to better continuity from year to year.
• It may be easier to recruit people to run for the board in the first place if the commitment is only two years instead of three.
• Three year terms may give board members more time to get comfortable in the role and do their best work before they have to make a decision about running for re-election and a fresh term commitment.
• A lot can change in three years. Someone who was fully able to serve on the board in the first year could be unable to continue doing so by year three and might need to step down. Filling vacancies more often could be as disruptive as larger turnover during regular elections.

Do you have an opinion? Head over to the feedback thread in the forum to tell us what you think!