- Recommend Director candidates best equipped to lead CHS for the future
- Encourage CHS member participation in the process and help build a pipeline of next-generation leaders
- Build confidence in CHS governance by creating a clear, consistent process for Director elections聽
Nominating committee
CHS members have elected a nominating committee to recommend candidates for seats on the CHS Board of Directors. The nominating committee will add strength and consistency to the candidacy process.聽
Nominating committee purpose
A nominating committee of CHS members will help secure the best candidates to lead CHS into the future as members of the CHS Board of Directors. This CHS Board initiative will give CHS members more information to guide their choices during Director elections and is a best practice for board succession and continuity.聽
Nominating committee role
Nominating committee makeup
Committee members are elected by CHS members in their region and serve all CHS members
Two members are elected from each region for a total of 16 committee members聽
Committee members serve staggered two-year terms over no more than four consecutive election cycles聽
Committee members must meet the same criteria used to qualify CHS Board candidates
CHS Nominating Committee responsibilities聽
The committee will:
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Interview and evaluate Director candidates, including incumbents
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Recommend up to two candidates per available seat
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Represent CHS members at the CHS annual meeting, overseeing rules and credentials and voting procedures and participating in public policy discussions
Path to CHS Director candidacy
Recommendation by the nominating committee is the preferred pathway to candidacy for the CHS Board of Directors. Recommendation by the nominating committee will ensure a candidate is included on the ballot for both voting in advance of the annual meeting and at the regional caucus.
- A declared candidate who has participated in the nominating committee process, but is not recommended by the committee, can submit a petition signed by CHS members representing at least 30% of that region鈥檚 eligible votes. The petition must be submitted by Sept. 1 of the election year.
- A candidate also can be nominated from the floor at the regional caucus, but will have missed the opportunity to be included in advance voting prior to the annual meeting.
- All candidates must meet Director qualifications set out in the CHS Bylaws.
Timeline for 2026 Director candidates
| Date | Action |
| Feb. 15 | Deadline for declaring candidacy and submitting candidate application. |
| March | Nominating committee interviews and evaluates candidates who meet CHS Bylaws qualifications. |
| April | Nominating committee recommends up to two candidates per seat. |
| 翱肠迟辞产别谤听听 | 聽Recommended candidates (and validated petition candidates) appear on the ballot for advance and in-person voting at regional caucuses. |
| 顿别肠别尘产别谤听听 | 聽Directors are elected at the CHS annual meeting. |
FAQs
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Why does CHS need a nominating committee?
Developing a vibrant, qualified pipeline of next-generation leaders is critical for CHS to remain strong and relevant for future generations of owners and customers. Bringing a range of voices to the table and encouraging all owners to participate in governance is a step in creating that pipeline. A nominating committee brings structure to that practice.
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What will a member of the CHS Nominating Committee do?
CHS Nominating Committee members will have the following key responsibilities:
- Assess and recommend qualified Director candidates in line with CHS governance and strategic requirements
- Participate in interviews, discussions and voting processes for selecting Director candidates
- Engage with CHS members, industry leaders and stakeholders to identify potential Board candidates
- Assist in CHS annual meeting activities, including overseeing meeting rules, ensuring proper voting procedures, addressing delegate credential matters and engaging on key public policy issues
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What support will the nominating committee have to evaluate and recommend candidates?The committee will have access to tools and resources to help them effectively interview and evaluate candidates. A training session will acquaint them with the committee’s roles and responsibilities, plus best practices for interviewing and assessing candidates. Standardized criteria will be used to provide an objective view of each candidate in relation to competencies established for CHS Board members. CHS staff members will be available to assist and two CHS Board members will be liaisons to the committee.
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How does a nominating committee encourage more members to participate in CHS governance?
Nominating committee members must be ag producers who are CHS members or members of CHS member cooperatives. Active outreach will encourage members to serve on the committee. CHS members from each region will elect members to the CHS Nominating Committee and current CHS Board members will not be eligible to serve on the committee.
The committee will act independently, although two members of the CHS Board of Directors will act as liaisons to the committee to provide support.
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Can current CHS Board members serve on the nominating committee?
No, current CHS Board members are ineligible to serve on the nominating committee.
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How much time would I need to commit to being a member of the CHS Nominating Committee. Would I be reimbursed?
After completing a simple application process, CHS Nominating Committee applicants should attend their regional caucus at the CHS annual meeting.
Committee members elected in the caucuses will participate in a day of virtual orientation in January and a three-day in-person session at CHS headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., to interview, assess and recommend Director candidates.
Committee members will attend the following year’s annual meeting to participate in governance and policy discussions and nominate recommended Director candidates in their regional caucuses.
Committee members will be elected to two-year terms, so will complete the cycle twice (with the exception of the first year of the committee, when one member from each region will be elected to a one-year term to set up a rotation of experienced and new members).
CHS will provide a per diem to each committee member and will cover travel costs for required committee meetings, including participation in the CHS annual meeting.
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Who should I contact if I’d like to serve on the CHS Nominating Committee?
If you or someone you know would like to be a candidate for a seat on the CHS Nominating Committee, contact a CHS Board member with your interest and to request committee candidate information.
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Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming a candidate for the CHS Board of Directors?
To learn more about the CHS Director application process, contact Megan Bern, CHS corporate secretary and chief governance counsel, at megan.bern@chsinc.com or 651-355-3726.