I chaired the Nominating Committee for District 181 Board of Education. Randomly picked, 12 of us brought a mix of interests and priorities; but we focused on a task: find four exceptional board candidates.
A caucus executive met with us twice to clarify deliverables and a timetable. He said, “how you get there, and who you nominate is entirely up to you.” We had no further monitoring.
We solicited 52 people identified as qualified, inviting them to apply. Thirty-two took the application; 10 completed it. Eight agreed to the interview/vetting process. We selected four. We met two hours per week for 10 weeks.
Our criteria? Bring expertise District 181 needs; experience with boards, children’s issues, education; no “single-issue” candidates; commitment to transparency and good governance; collaborative decision-making; time to meet the position’s demands; commitment to community involvement.
We also considered the challenges ahead such as deficits, superintendent hiring, overcrowding, technology implementation, program assessments, etc.
Read the biographies at the caucus Web site: Linda Rio Reichmann, Russell Rhoads, Yvonne Mayer and Sarah Lewensohn. Each brings a wonderful mix of skills, experience, and personal traits that will serve community needs. Will they please everyone? Who does?
This process worked through random delegate selection, delegates seeking candidates instead of candidates seeking election, and a multi-month vetting process by independent, diverse, committed citizens.
Yes, the process needs a tweaking, but every change will bring different warts – none can be perfect. However, after 40 years’ management consulting in corporate-America, I was deeply skeptical going in; and, happily, deeply satisfied coming out.
Harvey Bergholz, Hinsdale Caucus participant
