Elections

Voting in Elections

Voting will begin on October 1st, 2025. All eligible members will be provided a link to the voting portal. Voting will run from October 1-21. 

Positions for the 2025 election include:

  • Board of Directors: Secretary
  • Board of Directors: Director
  • Board of Directors Chief Delegate
  • Nominating Committee Member
  • Balance and Falls SIG Vice Chair
  • Health Promotion and Wellness SIG Vice Chair

Review the 2025 Candidate Slate and Election Guide

Some positions on this year’s ballot for BOD and Nominating Committee have only one candidate due to limited applications and a small pool of qualified individuals as vetted by the Nominating Committee. Related to the SIG positions, in collaboration with current SIG leaders we are evolving the election process to better support leadership development and reflect trends across APTA. This year, only positions with at least two qualified candidates were included on the ballot. For roles with a single candidate, the board appointed individuals (as recommended by the Nominating Committee) to ensure a smooth transition and continuity. Our focus remains on strengthening collaboration, adapting to changing election models, and cultivating future leaders.

Role of All Board Members
  • Meet the legal responsibility of duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience as established in nonprofit corporate law.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s financial statements.
  • Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
  • Be informed about the APTA Geriatrics’ mission, services, policies, and programs.
  • Comply and carry out the roles as defined in the APTA Geriatrics decision matrix.
  • Support the work of the APTA Geriatrics strategic plan.
  • Liaise with volunteer groups (committees, special interest groups, task forces) as assigned.
  • Serve on board work groups and other board volunteer roles as assigned and offer to take on special assignments.
  • Inform others about the APTA Geriatrics. Advocate for APTA Geriatrics.
  • Contribute to leadership development for APTA Geriatrics by suggesting possible nominees to the board.
  • Keep up to date on developments in the field of geriatric physical therapy.
  • Attend and actively engage in all board meetings and other meetings as assigned for related board activities.
    • Includes 2-3 in-person meetings where travel is required to CSM or APTA (National) HQ in Alexandria, Virginia. Travel reimbursement is provided by the Academy (up to $700 for flights/transportation, and meals/hotel rooms are included).
    • Includes 3-4 virtual meetings, typically 1.5-2 hours in length per meeting.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board meetings.
  • Estimate of 5 hours a month of service.
Board of Directors: President
  • Oversee board and executive committee meetings.
  • Work in partnership with the executive director to make sure board resolutions are carried out.
  • Call special meetings if necessary.
  • Appoint all operating committee chairs and, with the executive director, recommend who will serve on committees.
  • Serve as an ex-officio non-voting Member of all standing committees (per bylaws), except the Nominating Committee, and make appointments to standing committees subject to approval by the Board.
  • Assist executive director in preparing board meeting agendas.
  • Assist executive director in conducting new board member orientation.
  • Oversee searches for a new executive director or association management company when necessary.
  • Coordinate executive director’s annual performance evaluation.
  • Act as an official spokesperson for the APTA Geriatrics, including preparing a President’s message for each issue of GeriNotes and presenting APTA Geriatrics awards.
  • Serve as the APTA Geriatric’s Delegate to APTA national House of Delegates and assume responsibilities of the Chief Delegate in their absence.
  • Periodically consult with board members on their roles and help them assess their performance.
  • Participate in the APTA Council of Section Presidents, scheduled meetings, and any appointments or subcommittees therein.
  • Be familiar with and comply with the APTA national’s Component President’s Reference Manual.
  • Attend or designate an attendee for the APTA national’s board meetings.
  • Estimate of an additional 10-20 hours a month (15-25 hours/month in total) of service.
    Board of Directors: Vice President
    • Understand the responsibilities of the board president and be able to perform these duties in the president’s absence.
    • Serve on the executive committee.
    • Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president.
    • Contribute to the executive director’s annual performance evaluation.
    • Estimate of an additional 7-10 hours a month (12-15 hours/month in total) of service.
    Board of Directors: Secretary
    • Serve on the executive committee.
    • Ensure the safety and accuracy of all board records.
    • Review essential board-related documents (e.g., policies, bylaws, contracts, etc.).
    • Provide notice of meetings of the board and/or of a committee when such notice is required per the bylaws.
    • Liaise with the Nominating Committee.
    • Contribute to the executive director’s annual performance evaluation.
    • Estimate of an additional 2-5 hours a month (7-10 hours/month in total) of service.
    Board of Directors: Treasurer
    • Understand financial accounting for nonprofit organizations.
    • Serve on the executive committee.
    • Serve as the chair of the finance committee.
    • Manage, with the finance committee, the board’s review of and action related to the board’s financial responsibilities.
    • Work with the Executive Director to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis. Highlight any notable deviations from budget expectations or performance to ensure sound fiscal management of the academy.
    • Present the annual budget to the board for approval.
    • Review the annual audit (if conducted) and answer board members’ questions about the audit.
    • Be familiar with and comply with the APTA national’s Component Treasurer’s Reference Manual.
    • Contribute to the executive director’s annual performance evaluation.
    • Estimate of an additional 2 hours a month (5-7 hours/month in total) of service.
    Board of Directors: Chief Delegate
    • Attend all board meetings and other meetings as assigned for related board activities.
    • Be familiar with the bylaws, positions, and policies of APTA national.
    • Represent the APTA Geriatric’s interests on matters that are brought before the APTA national House of Delegates for deliberation and action. Attend the Annual HOD in-person meeting and virtual meetings as determined by House officers annually. Travel reimbursement is provided by the Academy (up to $700 for flights/transportation, and hotel room at prevailing rate is included).
    • Attend and participate in APTA national House of Delegates meetings and activities. Attend or review monthly Chief Delegate meetings and Regional Caucus meetings via Zoom.
    • Study the matters brought before the APTA national House of Delegates for deliberation and action and solicit guidance on such matters from the Members and the Board.
    • Notify the Board of the actions taken by the APTA national House of Delegates.
    • Collaborate with the APTA Geriatric’s Delegate and Alternate Delegate on matters that are brought before the APTA national House of Delegates for deliberation and action.
    • Estimate of an additional 3-5 hours a month (8-10 hours/month in total) of service.
    Nominating Committee: Member

    The Nominating Committee is charged with recruiting and slating outstanding candidates for each elected position on the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy elections slate, to conduct the elections ethically, in a way that is compliant with the bylaws, and promote member participation in the vote. The committee fosters activities that maintain and promote a pool of nominees and recruit strong candidates for elected positions including Special Interest Group (SIG) officers and to facilitate the appointment process. The committee maintains the confidentiality of any potential candidate until the final slate is completed and submitted to the board of directors (BOD). The member elected to this position will serve as the Chair in their third year.

    Role of All SIG Officers
    • Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
    • Be informed about the APTA Geriatric’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
    • Advocate for the SIG’s purpose and objectives.
    • Support the work of the APTA Geriatrics strategic plan.
    • Liaise with volunteer groups (committees, special interest groups, task forces) as assigned.
    • Inform others about the APTA Geriatrics. Advocate for APTA Geriatrics.
    • Contribute to leadership development for APTA Geriatrics by suggesting possible nominees to the board and SIGs.
    • Keep up to date on developments in the field of geriatric physical therapy.
    • Attend and actively engage in all SIG meetings and other meetings as requested.
    • Review agenda and supporting materials before SIG meetings.
    • Serve as a clinical resource to the Academy in the specialty area.
    SIG Chair

    The Chair Should:

    • Facilitate all meetings of the SIG.
    • Work in partnership with the board liaison and staff to conduct the business of the SIG.
    • Prepare SIG meeting agendas.
    • Assist in conducting new Officer orientation.
    • Attend meetings of the Council of SIG Chairs.
    • Be familiar with and comply with the APTA Geriatrics bylaws and SIG standing rules.
    • Represent the SIG at APTA Geriatrics meetings regarding SIG activities as required by the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors.
    • Keep the APTA Geriatrics Board Liaison informed of SIG activities.
    • Submit information relative to SIG functions for the SIG newsletter and website; may also direct to GeriNotes as appropriate.
    • Appoint SIG liaisons, task forces, and workgroups from Member Participants of the SIG.
    • Serve as a liaison to other sections and organizations as appointed by the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors.
    • Perform other duties as assigned by the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors.
    SIG Vice Chair

    The Vice-Chair should:  

    • Understand the responsibilities of the SIG Chair and be able to perform these duties in the Chair’s absence.  
    • With the SIG Chair or designee, prepare the SIG newsletter. 
    • Other duties as assigned by the Chair. 
    SIG Secretary

    The Secretary should:   

    • Record and distribute SIG meeting minutes. Minutes will be made available to SIG Members and distributed to the SIG Officers, the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors Liaison, and APTA Geriatrics Staff. Minutes are submitted within 45 days of the meeting. 
    • Distribute and promote work products (white papers, reports, etc.) of the SIG with assistance from APTA Geriatrics Staff as necessary.  
    • Complete routine official correspondence of the SIG, including notification of meetings, elections results, etc., with assistance from APTA Geriatrics Staff. 
    • Other duties as assigned by the Chair.  

    Timeline

    January

    Call for Nominations Opens

    March 31

    Call for Nominations Closes

    June 6

    Consent to Serve Application Due

    May – August

    Nominating Committee reviews all applications, conducts interviews, and determines final slate

    August 31

    All applicants are notified of their slating status.

    October 1-21

    Annual Election is live; Members cast their votes.

    By December 31

    Election results will be shared with membership.

    February

    Terms begin for previous years’ election winners. 

    Voter Eligibility

    Only PT and PTA members of APTA Geriatrics are eligible to vote. All others are restricted. Those eligible to vote all have the same weight.

    Eligibility for Nomination

    All APTA Geriatrics Members, except for Student Members, may serve on the Board of Directors or Nominating Committee. All officers and directors must have been APTA (national) Members for at least two (2) years and APTA Geriatrics Members for at least one (1) year immediately preceding their election. Additional eligibility on tenure and terms are found in the APTA Geriatrics bylaws. Eligibility for service on the Special Interest Groups (SIG) is found in each SIGs standing rules.