The elected Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) Directors on the Board serve 3-year terms, with annual elections to fill upcoming vacancies. Candidacy and election ballot casting is open for all eligible Folk Alliance International (FAI) voting members affiliated with the FAR-West region. Current membership in Folk Alliance Intl is required to vote. Check your membership status here.
Call for Candidates: Every year, per the FAR-West bylaws, the call for candidate nominees opens on January 15. The Nominations Committee will reach out to nominees to confirm interest.
Confirmation of Candidate Interest: Prior to March 1, interested candidates submit to the Nominations Committee a short “platform” statement, along with skills, qualifications, and a headshot, which is emailed to all members of FAR-West and posted on the website. The slate of candidates is prepared for the ballot and submitted to Folk Alliance International, which oversees all regional elections.
Election Timing: The election period opens on March 31, when ballots are emailed to all eligible voting members. The ballot also provides space for write-in votes (which must include a reasonable means to verify a member's true identity / email address). Voting closes on April 20, unless this date falls on a non-business day, in which case the elections close the following business day.
Folk Alliance and the FAR-West Nominations Committee review and certify the results. The elected Board Member should submit their final decision regarding the offer of Board service by April 28, within one week after the election. In case of a tie, the Board of Directors will make the final decision as to which candidate is seated.
Official Results: Official results are announced. Newly elected Directors assume their assigned seats on the FAR-West Board of Directors on the first Tuesday of May. The Executive Committee is elected by the Board of Directors at this meeting.
2024 Interested Candidates: This 2024 election is crucial, as the new board members will play a significant role in shaping the future direction of FAR-West, including the production of the 2024 Conference (Oct 16-20 in Woodland Hills, CA ) and 2025 Conference (Vancouver, WA), and year-round virtual programs and in-person events.
The FAR-West Board of Directors is a Working Board. In alignment with the FAR-West mission, in accordance with the Bylaws, and with the support of volunteers, we create programs and produce an annual conference with and for the Traditional and Contemporary Folk, Roots, and Americana community in the western region of the US and Canada.
Create and Participate in the Community: Nominate candidates below.