Slate-Based Frequently Asked Questions

MRS is a non-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (United States) and recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the United States government. 

Governance is the set of statements and polices for:

• Who we are / want to be (“Leading the Society”)
• Guidance for operations (“Running the Society”)
• Expectations and Accountability for those who “Lead” and those who “Run” the Society

The MRS Board of Directors is the highest governing body of the Materials Research Society responsible for the protecting the organization and ensuring sustainability for the future, including establishing policy, monitoring progress of the society toward its long-term goals and setting the strategic directions for the major activities of the society.

Duty of Care (stay informed)

Duty of Loyalty (interests of MRS are foremost)

Duty of Obedience (comply with the law)

• Term-limits to ensure a renewal of perspectives
• Alignment of resources to the Society’s mission and strategic priorities
• Competency-based boards to provide the necessary skills to oversee and guide the Society.
• Engage volunteers and staff to best utilize the Society’s talents and expertise.
• Slate-based elections to ensure desired Board competencies and diversity of perspectives and experiences.  

• Term-limits

  Since its inception, the MRS has had term-limits for the MRS Board of Directors as reflected in MRS Bylaws.  MRS also maintains term-limits for all volunteer activities as reflected in MRS Policies. 

• Alignment of resources to the Society’s mission and strategic priorities

  The Mission-focused allocation of MRS resources per United States law is monitored by the MRS Board through annual external independent audit.   In 2018, the MRS Board approved a program assessment methodology to ensure that current and future MRS programs are aligned with MRS strategic priorities and the prudent use of MRS resources. 

• Competency-based boards

  In 2018-19, the MRS Board conducted a review of MRS governance practices.   A key leading practice for non-profit Board is to ensure an appropriate skill set is maintained for Officers and Directors to oversee the activities of the organization and to ensure sustainability for the future.  The MRS Board of Directors adopted an initial set of competencies for Board service in 2019.  In 2024, the MRS Board of Directors re-affirmed the need for both required and desired Board competencies as shown in the Call for Candidates – Leadership Guide.  

• Engage volunteers and staff

  A key component of the 2018-19 Board review of governance practices was the role of leadership, volunteers and staff.   A strong and collaborative partnership between volunteers and Headquarters staff is fundamental to MRS.  At its core, the MRS Board believes that relationships between volunteers, staff, and leadership must be based upon mutual respect, openness, and accountability.  MRS’s philosophy on engaging volunteer and staff talents to advance the Society is documented in the MRS Bulletin article “The Future of MRS Governance”. 

• Slate-based elections

A key recommendation of the 2018-19 governance review was to implement slate-based elections as a key method to move towards a competency-based Board.  At the time, the Board chose to continue competitive elections for MRS Board Officers and Directors.  In 2021-22, the MRS Board commissioned an independent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) audit of governance.  A key recommendation was to move towards slate-based elections to ensure diversity of perspectives and to maintain inclusivity of MRS’s global membership.  

Slate-based elections are considered a leading practice for high-performing Boards. A slate is a group of candidates for the Board where the number of candidates match the positions available. In a slate-based election the votes are cast for all candidates at once as opposed to votes for individual candidates. Unlike competitive elections, which often are popularity contests, slate-based elections ensure the necessary competencies are maintained for the Board while promoting leadership reflective of a diverse membership.  Slate-based elections promote equitable access to leadership positions, ensure a diversity of thought and perspective, and reduce the likelihood that unelected candidates in a competitive election become disengaged.

MRS aims to transition to a fully slate-based election in one to three years. There are two parts to the implementation of slate-based elections.

Transition to the MRS Talent Development Committee (TDC): The MRS Nominating Committee will terminate at the end of 2024, and the TDC will launch in January 2025. Initially, the MRS Executive Committee will appoint members to the TDC. In 2026 and beyond, all non-Board members who want to serve on the TDC must apply for a position. Applications will be solicited in the second half of 2025. The MRS Executive Committee will select non-board committee members to serve on the TDC. Current Board members who want to serve on the TDC will be appointed by the MRS Executive Committee.

Transition to Slate-Based Elections: In 2025, the MRS Election will consist of a competitive election for the Vice President and Secretary positions, and a slate-based election for Director positions. The 2024 MRS Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending Vice President and Secretary candidates to the Board of Directors for approval. The 2025 TDC is responsible for development and recommendation of the slate of Director candidates for Board approval.

MRS members continue to shape the future of MRS by voting in the annual election for Board Directors and Officers.  Moving to the future, MRS members will have greater voice on candidates for Board Officers and Directors via representation on the MRS Talent Development Committee and an open application process for service.  

The MRS Talent Development Committee has three key responsibilities:

• Identifying near-term Board and Officer candidates for Board approval. (i.e., future election slates)
• Placing volunteers into positions (including Committee Chairs, Sub-Committee Chairs, Task Force Chairs, etc.) in preparation for potential future Board or Officer Candidacy  (i.e., volunteer progression)
• Engaging past volunteers (Board, Committee Chairs, etc.) for ad hoc assignments within the Society (i.e., retain engagement in MRS)

The MRS Talent Development Committee will be chaired by the Immediate MRS Past President and will consist of an equal mix (50:50) of sitting MRS Board Members and MRS members at-large. 

Individuals who think they possess specific experiences related to identifying and developing leaders are encouraged to apply.   An on-line application portal will be launched in mid-year 2025.  In the interim, you may contact us via email at info@mrs.org to express your interest in serving.

Individuals who think they possess the competencies, experience, and expertise identified in the Call for Candidates - Leadership Guide are encouraged to apply.  An on-line application portal will be launched in mid-year 2025.  In the interim, you may contact us via email at info@mrs.org to express your interest in serving.