Nominating Committee

Its terms of reference are defined by Section 16 of the ECNP Constitution:

The Nominating Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee in office to nominate candidates for the future Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee is constituted of seven members of whom the chair should be the Past President and another member the President-Elect. At least three members must be recruited from outside the Executive Committee. Its members are not eligible for the Executive Committee.

The Nominating Committee will take into account the leadership experience, scientific standing, gender balance, diversity and the geographical distribution of members in coming to their recommendation for the officers and members of the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee will solicit self-nominations for open EC positions.

Once appointed, the committee solicits nominations from the ECNP membership and takes soundings from a wide circle of members and stakeholders, to put together a roster of potential candidates.

Candidates must be ECNP members in good standing and can only be nominated (or self-nominated) by an ECNP member.

Each member of the nominating committee independently assesses and rates the candidates. When appraising candidates, the committee considers:

• Leadership experience
• Scientific standing
• Service to ECNP
• Age and potential to advance to an Officer position (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer)
• Conflicts of interest (e.g. hold no comparable position in another closely related European or international association)

Once candidates have been sorted according to these criteria, a subsequent meeting is arranged. The ratings are discussed collectively, and a slate is assembled. To ensure a balanced distribution of interests and representation, adjustments are made to the group composition based on:

• Gender
• Geography – eastern/western, northern/southern Europe
• Research focus – clinical/preclinical

The Nominating Committee’s final recommendation is then forwarded to the sitting ECNP Executive Committee for comments, before being submitted to the General Assembly for a formal vote by the membership.

It can be challenged by vote at the General Assembly, if an alternative suggestion has been put forward by at least fifteen ordinary members at least two months prior to the General Assembly.

In addition to the members elected by the General Assembly, the Executive Committee can also decide to invite experts on an ad-hoc basis. Such experts have no voting rights.