Community Elections
Sections evolved into seven vibrant Communities in fall 2025, offering expanded ways for connection with peers. You can get involved now to help lead and shape your Community's direction through elected positions on newly formed Community Advisory Teams. Each Community has its own Community Advisory Team comprised of 9-12 members who provide leadership, work with non-elected volunteers and support the group’s goals. Generally, Community Advisory Team members serve a three-year term.
Running for a seat on the Community Advisory Team or volunteering through a non-elected position are great ways to connect with peers who share your interests. By getting involved, you can enhance your career by gaining valuable experience in collaboration, communication, and leadership, while also expanding your network. These roles offer a chance to contribute to meaningful projects and further develop skills that will help you grow both professionally and personally.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Community Advisory Team offers numerous ways to get involved and make a positive impact in areas that really matter. You’ll help shape the future through activities such as:
- Providing thought leadership
- Building fellowship
- Staying on top of trends
- Sharing valuable information
- Creating content
- Setting Community goals
- Supporting personal development
- Contributing to research ideation
Community Advisory Team members participate in numerous activities throughout the year, including:
- Attend monthly virtual meetings per year.
- May attend one in-person planning meeting per year pending Community preference.
- Participating in webcasts that cover strategic and operational topics, and/or writing an article or paper, making a presentation, organizing continuing education meetings and events, or providing input for ground-up research projects.
For additional information, view the Community Advisory Team position opportunities.
Become a Candidate
You must be an SOA member in good standing and become a member of the Community for which you would like to run. See which Community you are a part of, and learn how to take the next steps to become a candidate in the upcoming SOA Communities elections.
- Complete an Expression of Interest form when the self-nomination period is open.
- Discuss your involvement and interest with current section volunteer leaders who will contact you directly.
If you are chosen to be on the Communities ballot, the following steps are recommended to prepare and advance as a candidate:
- Attend an informational webcast or review resources explaining the candidate process. (2026 date TBD)
- Complete a candidate questionnaire and provide a professional photo to be posted on the SOA website.
- Stay informed about the election results through SOA communications, such as phone or email notifications.
How to Vote
Eligible SOA members can participate in the Communities elections. Voting is confidential and anonymous. To be eligible for future elections, including the 2026 cycle, members are encouraged to engage with their Communities.
Eligible voters receive ballots via email. Votes are counted by an independent vendor.