PMI’s Guidelines for Electioneering

ElectioneeringWhat is electioneering? In the charter agreement of every PMI component, the following provision is listed regarding electioneering, that every individual and component of the Institute is required to uphold:

“In accordance with PMI policies, practices, procedures, rules and directives, no funds or resources of PMI or the Component may be used to support the election of any candidate or group of candidates for PMI, Component or public office. No other type of organized electioneering, communications, fund-raising or other organized activity on behalf of a candidate shall be permitted. The Component Nominating Committee, or other applicable body designated by the Component, will be the sole distributor(s) of all election materials for Component elected positions. “

So what does this mean to a component volunteer leader? At the component level and also at the PMI Board of Directors level, candidates running for a position may communicate on a one-on-one basis with individuals about their experience and qualifications.

However, no mass communications should be sent from any person (candidate or other) about the election, unless they are official communications from the Nominating committee or a component designated body.

The following information is directly from the Rules of the Board, which are the guidelines that the members of PMI’s Board of Directors follow and encourage Institute wide when applicable:

Election Activities

  • Use of PMI Funds and/or Resources. No funds or resources of the Institute, or its Components or employees, shall be used to support the nomination or election of any candidate or group of candidates except for information posted on the official PMI Election Web site or published through other PMI media in direct support of the election process.

  • Candidate Communication. Candidates may communicate, one-on-one, regarding their candidacy only if the communication focuses on their qualifications. Mass communications are prohibited. The candidates may not make reference to any other candidate or any existing or past Directors.

  • Campaign Materials. No candidate or PMI member may utilize any campaign materials such as posters, buttons/lapel pins, group activities or sponsorships to promote a candidate

  • Candidate Communications with the Institute. The candidate should discuss the position with former Directors or a member of the Nominating Committee. Specific requirements of the position in terms of time, expense, meeting schedules, and administrative assistance should be explored

  • PMI Promotion of Particular Candidates. PMI and its components may not participate in any activity or provide opportunities at any PMI sponsored or PMI component functions that promotes or negatively impacts a particular candidate

  • Compliance with Election Activity Rules of the Board. The Nomination Committee will ensure that all nominees, as a condition of expressing their interest in being a nominee, will submit a signed copy of this Rule of the Board verifying that they have read, understand and agree to abide by these policies and rules. This includes the following statement:

''As a condition of my potential nomination or candidacy, I agree that I will not initiate, encourage, accept or endorse conduct on behalf of my potential nomination or candidacy which is in violation of the policy relating to the election as adopted by the PMI Board of Directors. To violate this policy may result in revocation of my nomination by petition or candidacy for office.’'

6.0.9 Violation of Election Activity Rules of the Board. Any alleged violations of these Rules shall be addressed in accordance with PMI Bylaws Article VI, Section C, 6: ‘Disputes’.

To read the Rules of the Board, visit http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Pages/Governance.aspx.