Board of Directors Governance Updates
ISPOR is updating its board elections governance. The following is a summary of what will be changing as well as the process and rationale for these updates.What Is Changing and When?
ISPOR is moving to a non-contested elections process for Board Directors and President-Elect positions. This change will begin for the elections held in 2026.
Why Are These Updates Being Made?
ISPOR is aligning its approach for choosing its Board of Directors after an extensive review process and recommendations from its Nominations and Governance Work Group. The Work Group’s objective was to evaluate ISPOR’s elections governance, assess best practices for this governance, and make recommendations as to if and how ISPOR should update its governance for elections.
What Is the Rationale for These Updates?
Many associations have moved away from contested board elections to non-contested elections.
- Research from American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) found that the majority (60%) of high-performing association boards have non-contested elections.1
- Another ASAE white paper evaluated this issue and determined that, “[N]on-competitive elections were perceived as generally preferable, as they give the best opportunity to address competency, composition, and diversity objectives, while avoiding the potential popularity contest that elections can introduce.”2
The participation of ISPOR members in its elections has become exceptionally weak. Low member participation in elections is fairly typical for professional societies.
- The trend of ISPOR members voting has steadily reduced to ~6% or less of the membership.
- This low voting rate is in spite of the Society employing very aggressive communications campaigns to encourage voting of its membership.
- Greater control over board composition – Ensuring a diverse and competency-driven board
- A more balanced, skills-based board – Aligning expertise with strategic needs
- Stronger succession planning – Enhancing leadership continuity and long-term board effectiveness
- Increased member engagement in nominations – Encouraging members to actively nominate themselves and others in the pre-election process
- Eliminating public election “losers” – Reducing potential reputational concerns, except in cases where a petition process is used
What Are the Specific Changes?
ISPOR’s new nominations and election procedures will be initiated with the 2026 elections cycle.
- Members will be encouraged to self-nominate and/or to nominate qualified colleagues who they believe would be good candidates for open Board positions. Criteria for Board positions will be available to guide members who wish to nominate.
- The Nominations Committee will be redesigned to ensure representation of the Society’s diverse membership.
- A slate of Board candidates will be ratified by the membership. Members are permitted to add additional nominees by a petition process where qualified members not named by the Nominations Committee can obtain member signatures to appear on the ballot..
- President-elect candidate(s) will be evaluated and selected by the Board of Directors.
What If I Have Questions?
Members who have questions or comments not answered in the above Q&A may reach out to ISPOR Governance via email.
1 ASAE Foundation Research Series White Paper, “Recruit the Right Board: Proven Processes for Selecting Critical Competencies,” Mark Engle, FASAE, CAE and William Brown
2 ASAE White Paper, “Building Better Association Boards: Advancing Performance Through Nomination, Recruitment, and Selection Processes;” William Brown and Mark Engle, DM, FASAE, CAE
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