The House of Delegates approved a new governance plan for the Society in order to make the MDS more responsive to the emerging needs of members. Starting in 2020, all Districts will begin to transition to become part of six Regions.  

Applications for leadership positions are now being accepted for the governance year beginning July 1, 2020.  If you are interested in applying for any of the positions, please contact your District Secretary, download and complete the application, and submit all the required information to your District Secretary by your District’s deadline for candidate submission to allow the District sufficient time to select its one candidate for each position. 

All Districts must submit the completed Candidate Information packet for its candidate for each position to the MDS Secretary by September 30, 2020. To identify your District Secretary, visit your respective District page.

Candidate Requirements for At-Large Trustee:

1. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from his/her District.
2. Must be member in good standing.  
3. An individual who has been selected to be an At-large Trustee must pay MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31 or the Trustee Selection and Nominations Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable.  
4. Candidates must have served in prior leadership roles and/or received leadership training.
5. Cannot serve more than two one-year terms as At-Large Trustee.
6. Must represent the interests of the Society and be a fiduciary guardian of Society.
7. The At-Large Trustee cannot serve on any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as At-Large Trustee.
8. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing he/she has not served more than 3 years on the BOT.

Candidate Requirements for Regional Trustee:

1. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from his/her District.
2. Must be member in good standing.  
3. An individual who has been selected to be a Regional Trustee must pay the following year’s MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31 or the Trustee Selection and Nominations. Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable.  
4. Shall have served on the District Executive Committee, MDS Committee, or similar leadership roles in other organizations.  
5. No Regional Trustee may serve more than two two-year terms and a cumulative total of five years as a Regional Trustee.  
6. Must represent the interests of the Society and be a fiduciary guardian of Society.
7. Regional Trustees cannot serve on any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as Regional Trustee.
8. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing he/she has not served more than 3 years on the BOT.
9. The Board shall develop other criteria annually as it sees fit that may be position specific based on the positions available.