3 Tips for a Better Nomination

It’s December, and that means it’s board nomination season at the Duke Alumni Association! Through Jan. 15, we are accepting submissions for our Duke Alumni Board of Directors and our more than 20 Duke regional alumni boards.

So…you want to nominate someone (or maybe yourself!) for a spot on a board? Here a few quick tips to make your submission stand out from the crowd:

1. DESCRIBE the unique personal qualities of your nominee. Paint a picture of what makes your nominee special. How would you describe your nominee to a stranger? What are the standout personal qualities of your nominee? Give examples. Many of the nominations we receive go something like this: “Lisa is a wonderful person who loves Duke!” Not particularly compelling, especially when we might have 150 people who are all wonderful people who love Duke.
2. Write about HOW the individual has contributed (and will continue to contribute) to Duke. Regional board nominees, for example, need not have a long resume of Duke engagement, but the nominating committees do need to know how you see your nominee adding value to the group. What specific skills does your nominee bring? Is he social media savvy? Is she a natural networker? How has your nominee used these skills in the past as a volunteer?
3. SHARE a story of change. Anecdotes make the nominations world go round. How have other people been impacted by your nominee’s volunteerism? Your nomination doesn’t have to be War and Peace-length, but a brief story can go a long way in convincing the nominating committee of the potential future impact and commitment of your nominee.

Lastly, it’s important to manage expectations. We’re not going to sugarcoat it: This is a competitive process, particularly in our larger regions, and our goal is for our boards to represent the breadth of the Duke community. If your nominee isn’t selected this time around, there are lots of other meaningful ways to get involved and give back to Duke.