NMS Coaches and Team Reps,

This email serves as a formal notice that we will be conducting elections for two New Mexico Swimming Athlete Representatives via electronic voting between July 3 and July 6, 2023. Positions on the upcoming ballot include Junior Athlete Representative and At-Large Athlete Representative. Each of the elected athletes will join the Senior Athlete Representative and other At-Large Athlete Representative as members of the New Mexico Swimming Board of Directors and House of Delegates with full voice and vote.

Eligibility:  NMS Bylaws 6.2.1 states that athlete representatives "shall be elected, one each year for a two-year term, or until their respective successors are elected. At the time of election, the Athlete Representative must (a) be an athlete member in good standing; (b) be at least a sophomore in high school or at least 16 years of age, (c) be currently competing, or have competed within the three (3) immediately preceding years, in the program of swimming conducted by NMSI or another LSC; and (d) have his or her place of permanent residence in the Territory and expect to reside therein throughout at least the first half of the term (other than periods of enrollment in an institution of higher education).” 

Timeline:

- Nominations are now being accepted by the Governance Committee. Please have your team’s athletes who are interested in serving on the NMS Board of Directors as either Junior Athlete Representative or At-Large Athlete Representative submit their nomination by completing the following survey (which includes a personal statement) no later than Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 11:59pm:  https://bit.ly/nmsathletenom23

- After confirming eligibility of all athletes who have completed the survey, the slate of candidates will be published on June 19, 2023.

- The campaigning window will be June 26 to July 6, with further details and parameters to be disseminated directly to the candidates by the Senior Athlete Representative.

- The Athlete Representative Board of Directors positions will be voted upon by 13 & over NMS athletes via electronic vote between July 3 and July 6, 2023. Voting link information will be disseminated at a later date.

- Results will be announced on July 8, 2023 during the State meet, as well as disseminated via email and social media.

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of NMS Board of Directors (to include Athlete Representatives), please refer to the NMS Bylaws. You are urged to encourage your athletes to get involved in the sport at the club and LSC level, which can also open opportunities for being involved on a more regional and/or national level. Moreover, serving in an athlete rep role gives athletes a voice in policies and other actions that directly affect them. Likewise, contributing to our LSC and volunteering in this role will reflect well on college and scholarship applications.

Thank you,

Jeanette Skow

NMS Governance Committee Chair