How to Volunteer: Appointment

For Committee positions, the application review process takes into consideration final rule requirements, the needs of the particular committee, and whether the nominee's background addresses particular areas of expertise as indicated in the annual call for nominations. The incoming OPTN President makes final appointments, and all applicants will receive notification regarding the outcome of the selection process.

Step 1: Conduct Needs assessment

• The Board’s Nominating Committee meets biweekly from March to April to perform a Committee volunteer needs assessment
• Reviews upcoming vacancies in conjunction with requirements of the OPTN final rule and develops recruitment recommendations
• Nominating Committee develops the annual Call for Nominations

Step 2: Call for Nominations

• A Call for Nominations is released to the public in July detailing each vacancy on the Board and Committees
• All applicants must submit a Biography Form by September 15th to be considered for positions beginning July 1st the following year

Step 3: Review and Recommendation

• Committee applicants for At-Large positions are reviewed by leadership of the Board and Committees in conjunction with OPTN final rule requirements and the Board’s annual needs assessment
• Committee applicants for Regional Representatives to Committees are reviewed by the Region’s Nominating Committee
• Recommendations are made to the President-Elect

Step 4: Appointment

• The President-Elect considers recommendations and makes Committee appointments

Individuals will be notified of the results by early April.

• Following the volunteer needs assessment, the Board’s Nominating Committee reviews upcoming vacancies in conjunction with requirements of the OPTN final rule and develops recruitment recommendations
• The Board Nominating Committee then develops and releases the annual Call for Nominations in July, collects applications through September 15th
• The Nominating Committee resumes biweekly meetings in September and November to consider applicants in concert with the final rule requirements and identified needs
• Nominating Committee presents a proposed slate of nominees for Board approval at the December Board Meeting
• National election for Board conducted in January; all eligible OPTN members may vote

• Each Region’s nominating committee reviews and recommends candidates for regional representation on OPTN committees
• MPSC Regional Associate Councilor candidates are chosen through a regional election
• The President-Elect considers candidates recommended by the regions
• The President-Elect appoints the recommended candidate who most fits the identified need

Nominating Committee recommendations are based on these criteria:

• Professional experience
• Staffing needs of each committee
• Diversity in profession and demographics
• Past history of regional engagement
• Past history of the candidate’s ability to represent both regional and national perspectives
• The regions attempt to maintain geographical balance in representation

• Associate Regional Councillor/Councillor-Elect candidates are chosen through a regional election

In addition to the criteria considered for regional representative selection, the nominating committees also take into account OPTN committee experience when reviewing Associate Councillor nominations. Four regions invoke geographic or state rotations for the Associate Councillor position. Instead of making recommendations to the OPTN President-Elect, as is the case with regional representative vacancies, the nominating committees prepare slates for Associate Councillor ballots. Election ballots are distributed to voting members within each region.

For more information about OPTN Regions, visit https://www.hrsa.gov/optn/about/governance/regions