The membership voted in 2009 to further internationalize the IBC by opening up additional board positions to our international members. Which means, this upcoming election, members cannot only vote for General Members-at-Large and General Judging Board positions, but also can nominate and elect members from outside Area 1 to serve on both boards as Area Members-at-Large or Area Judging Board Representatives.

Any Area with at least five (5) chapters and a total of thirty (30) IBC area members in good standing as of January 1st of the election year is eligble for the added board positions. At present, both Area 2 (Europe) and Area 6 (SE Asia/Australia) qualify.

Any person nominated for these positions must be at least 18 years of age, and be a certified IBC judge if the member wants to run for a judging board position. Any candidate from one Area will run against other candidates from the same Area. All Area Members-at-Large and Area Judging Board Representatives will have the same voting privileges as General Members-at-Large or General Judging Board members. All candidates must specify whether they are running for General or Area positions upon nomination.

All IBC members are allowed to vote for both General and Area positions. This means members now can vote for up to 5 positions (3 general plus up to 2 area positions) in each category in 2010. This should make an exiting race this year, considering each Area is compromised of several countries and chapters within each country respectively. So ... let your voices be heard!

For current nominees and deadlines, see here.