(As Approved by the ABA Board of Directors, July 2002)

Qualifications of Director and Officer Candidates

1. Candidates for the Board of Directors must meet the definition of ABA's core member. A core member, for the purpose of this definition, is an ABA member who is the owner or employee of an independent bookstore with a storefront location that is operated according to sound business principles.

2. Board candidates must have at least three years of recent experience as an owner or employee of a member company.

3. It is desirable that candidates have at least two years of experience as an active volunteer in ABA or a regional or other constituency organization, or possess similar experience.

4. Candidates for President and Vice President must be members of the Board of Directors and have served in this capacity for at least one year prior to assuming office.

When reviewing candidates for office, the Nominating Committee should consider the following:

1. The candidate should be committed to the Association's mission, goals, objectives, and strategic process.

2. The candidate should demonstrate a willingness and ability to devote the time to carry out substantive assignments.

3. The candidate should be committed to the principles of fiduciary responsibility.

4. The candidate should be committed to the best interests of all core members of ABA, giving them precedence over personal interests, regional interests, or any other interests.

5. The candidate should demonstrate good listening skills and be able to engage opposing points of view. The candidate must agree to abide by and support decisions of the Board as a whole, even when he/she may have a contrary personal opinion.

6. The candidate should demonstrate an ability to negotiate and compromise.

7. The candidate should exhibit qualities of leadership, creativity, and intelligence.

8. The candidate should have a strong reputation for integrity and character.

9. The candidate should contribute to the overall composition of the Board to help ensure that the Board is representative of the Association's diversity.

10. The candidate should have a national reputation in the bookselling industry and play a prominent, distinguished role in our community.