Co-ops, credit unions, non-profits, and other democratically run organizations rely on elections to determine leadership and overall direction. However, many voting members likely aren’t familiar with the candidates running for leadership positions. Instead of asking voters to blindly choose a candidate they might not be familiar with, more organizations are encouraging candidates to write candidate profiles.
Candidate profiles should include powerful candidate statements that could make the difference between winning and losing an election. In most cases, voters rely on these board election bios to choose the best candidates for the job, so it’s incredibly important to know how to write a winning candidate narrative.
As an up-and-coming leader, you need every possible advantage to win over more voters. Check out this guide to understand the benefits of writing a candidate statement and the most critical components of effective candidate profiles. We’ve also provided a candidate biography template to speed up the writing process, but as always, be sure to personalize the statement to your voice and professional experience.
A candidate statement is a more in-depth version of a candidate biography. It provides members with a clear understanding of who you are as a candidate, your qualifications, and your vision for the organization.
Voting members are selective about leadership, so you must tap into members’ needs and collective expectations. Following the candidate biography template in this guide will help you:
Creating a compelling candidate statement is about more than just listing your qualifications. Instead of writing a stream-of-consciousness story about your career, follow this formula to write an effective candidate profile that garners support and votes.
Your story should highlight your background, experience, and personal journey. Explain how your professional history and your history with the organization prepared you for this role. This section should make a personal connection with the members, showing them why you’re passionate about the organization’s mission.
Sitting down and writing your entire story in one go can be difficult. Sometimes, it’s easier to start with a shorter candidate biography instead. Follow this candidate bio example to get started. Once you have something on paper, expand on this bio to make a more in-depth candidate statement you can share with your organization.
This is where you list your achievements, education, and job experience related to the position. You don’t need a full accounting of your job history; members just want to hear about relevant highlights that qualify you for this leadership position.
Focus on the results you achieved during these experiences. Saying something like, “Previously served on a non-profit advisory board for five years,” is fine, but “Reduced overhead at a non-profit by 20% over five years” is much more compelling.
You don’t want to come across too casually in a candidate statement, but even then, people need to know who you are as a human being. This is key to connecting with voters and fellow members on a more human level. It’s best to focus on who you are professionally, but you can include a few brief references to your personal life, such as your hobbies or family.
Every elected leader should have a vision for the future of the organization. What’s yours? This part of the candidate statement should address key concerns and challenges facing the organization and what you plan to do about them. You don’t need to provide an in-depth plan at this stage, but effectively communicating your goals and wishes for the organization will tell members what they can expect from you as a leader.
Many candidate statements end somewhat abruptly, but effective bios put the ball in the member’s court. Ending with a call to action encourages support and engagement to voters. All it takes is one sentence to encourage them to participate in the election and consider you as their representative. It’s also a good idea to thank members for their consideration.
The best candidate statements are written from the heart. However, it can take more than a few tries to get it right. A lot is riding on this narrative, so when in doubt, follow this candidate statement template, which includes all five components of a powerful narrative. You don’t need to follow it verbatim, but it’s a helpful tool for putting your statement on paper and refining it based on your situation.
My name is [Name], and I am honored to be a candidate for the [Position] at [Organization]. I currently serve as [Your Current Role], where I have had the privilege of [Briefly mention your responsibilities or achievements].
I have always been passionate about [Organization] and its mission to [Mission statement or core values]. My journey with the organization began [Number] years ago when I first joined as [Initial role]. Over the years, I have been actively involved in [List activities or roles], which have deepened my understanding and commitment to our community.
With [Number] years of experience in [Industry/Field], I have developed a deep understanding of [Relevant Skills or Knowledge]. My career has included roles such as [Previous roles], where I was responsible for [Key responsibilities]. My involvement has included [Volunteering, committee membership, etc.], allowing me to gain insights into our operations and member needs. These experiences have equipped me with the skills needed to contribute effectively to our organization.
I am known for my [Personal qualities like integrity, dedication, and teamwork], and I am committed to bringing these values to my role as [Position]. My approach is always [Briefly describe your approach or leadership style], which I believe is essential for fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
If elected, my primary goals are to [List your goals, such as enhancing member engagement, improving financial stability, introducing new services, etc.]. I believe that by focusing on [Key areas of focus], we can achieve significant progress and continue to grow as a community. I am particularly focused on addressing [Specific challenges], and I have a plan to [Briefly outline solutions].
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to serve [Organization] and to work together towards a prosperous future. I look forward to the possibility of contributing my skills and passion to our shared success. Thank you for your time and consideration.
A well-structured candidate statement is essential for effectively communicating your qualifications and vision to the members of your organization. By following these components, you can craft a powerful narrative highlighting your strengths, addressing key concerns, and demonstrating your commitment to the organization’s mission.
Professional, high-quality candidates increase members’ trust in the democratic process, but that’s just the beginning. Organizations also need reliable, auditable election processes and systems to ensure fair elections. Membership organizations trust Survey & Ballot Systems to run streamlined hybrid, in-person, or virtual elections that simplify the democratic process. Get in touch with SBS now to find a better way to manage your organization’s votes.
Tina Fehr ( Marketing Specialist )Tina joined the SBS team in early 2024 as a Marketing Specialist. Her passion for marketing, communications, product management, and customer service hails from a diverse background in health and wellness. As an award-winning product manager, Tina brings a wealth of experience to the team and a broad perspective to help our clients succeed in their elections.
