Elections

Announcing Board Positions: Elections 2025

Current Board Leadership and Executive Director Jerri Neddermeyer would like to challenge each of you to get involved in the leadership of our statewide organization. Use your voice and experience to narrow bias in our collective decision making. Participate in and GUIDE important conversations on the future of the profession and music education in Minnesota. Be a part of our growing organization at a  time of critical change for the benefit of all students and music educators. If you know someone who would be great, please recruit them with a phone call and follow up to encourage them to apply. If you are interested, we are still accepting applications for Northwest, Southwest and Twin Cities Loop Regions. Interested candidates may apply for more than one position. Candidates will rank positions in order of preference, and voting by membership is additionally by ranked choice to be sure that all votes are counted in the event a candidate is NOT viable for any position. MMEA is currently seeking nominations for the following positions:

  • Region Representatives: Region reps serve as connectors between the leadership Board and its membership in all areas of the state.

    • Bylaw Revision 2025 Approved (via membership vote October 2024) allows for two features:  1) The MMEA Board of Directors shall consist of seven geographical representatives primarily based on county lines (VIEW HERE); and 2) Region reps will be elected in odd-years by vote of the region’s membership only and shall serve for a term of one training (nonvoting) year followed by a two-year term (voting.) On a provisional basis, some positions being elected to regions with current vacancy will have a three-year voting term.

    • Director-Elect representing – Northwest (Electing Director-Elect for one training year followed by  two voting years – Currently being served by Gunnar Aas as voting member)
      • MMEA is still accepting candidate applications for this position.  Apply HERE!
    • Director representing – Northeast (3 year voting term due to end of service term)
      • Meet Candidate: Iris Kolodji
      • Iris Kolodji was unable to attend the Town Hall meeting, but answers can be read at the bottom of the landing page link above.
    • Director representing – Central (3 year voting term due to end of service term)
      • Meet Candidate: Kelly Taylor
      • Kelly Taylor was unable to attend the Town Hall meeting, but answers can be read at the bottom of the landing page link above.
    • Director representing – Southwest (3 year voting term due to end of service term)
      • MMEA is still accepting candidate applications for this position.  Apply HERE!
    • Director-Elect representing – Twin Cities Loop (Electing Director-Elect for one training year followed by  two voting years -Currently being served by Rachel Gorden Mercer and Erik Songer)
      • MMEA is still accepting candidate applications for this position.  Apply HERE!
    • Director representing – Twin Cities Central (3 year voting term due to end of service term)
      • Meet Candidate: Kimberly Keaton
      • Kimberly Keaton was unable to attend the Town Hall meeting, but answers can be read at the bottom of the landing page link above.
  • 2025 President Elect
    • President Elect: Chair the Midwinter Convention Task Force and coordinate the MWC, participate on the Executive Board in charge of strategic leadership of the Board and organization, follow the leadership track into President and further to Past President.  The total term commitment is 6 years.

General Responsibilities of Board Service

Responsibilities include partnering with the other Board members, the Executive Board,  and the Executive Director. Every member of the Board of Directors is responsible for leading the organization and representing the mission of MMEA – to develop, promote, and support equitable and comprehensive music learning and teaching in Minnesota.

. Board members should:

  • Attend FOUR board meetings annually, typically a Saturday from 9am-2pm with dates released at the start of each year;

  • make every effort to attend occasional shorter special board meetings are called to address urgent business between regular meetings;

  • attend and support with volunteerism the annual Midwinter Convention every February;

  • carry out duties related to the specific board position for which you will serve;

  • check MMEA email weekly to respond to issues requiring feedback or calls to action;

  • review materials for board meetings and committee meetings and attend prepared to actively participate;

  • and, COMMUNICATE regarding project responsibilities – ask for help when needed and provide help when able.

Timeline

  • September 27 – Email to members / Social media posts begin 
  • October 1 – November 4: Nominations open – APPLY ONLINE HERE!
  • December 4 at 7pm: Zoom “Town Hall” event with candidates: View Recording HERE
  • January 10-19: Voting is open! (voting is open to all MMEA members in good standing on December 31, 2024. Please make sure your dues are up-to-date.)
  • February 3: Election results announced
  • NOTE: All applicants need a google email to submit the attachments if interested. Google emails are free and easy to make. This allows for automation of election materials and reduces the administrative work required by MMEA. Thanks for helping us become a lean, efficient organization.
    • Headshot (quality jpeg please)
    • Brief bio (500 words maximum)
    • Statement of interest in the position(s) (500 words maximum for each position)

Additional Information:

Elections take place annually in January for openings on the MMEA Board of Directors. Regional representation restructure is being developed with supporting by-law revisions for a vote in October of 2024. Please review the following information about MMEA.

Email: info@mmea.org or execdirector@mmea.org for help.