Guidelines for Letters

Letters of Nominations and Support

• Members can provide supporting letters for more than one candidate. If a member is writing to support more than one candidate for the same position, the letters must highlight the differences in the candidates; otherwise the letters take away the weight of the recommendations for both candidates.  Note: You should be aware that no matter how you write the letter, the committee may believe you are ranking them. If you mean to do so, it is best to state explicitly.
• Each candidate may only have one of their required letters of support come from a member of the Executive Committee.
• ASEF Chair nominations may have 2 – 5 letters of support.
• All other ASEF Board nominations may have 2 – 3 letters of support.

The ideal nomination letter will:

1. Be addressed to the Nomination Committee Chair Stephen Little, MD, FASE, preferably on letterhead, with a signature (electronic submission is required).
2. State the full name of the candidate, the position they are being nominated for and whether this is the primary nomination letter or a supporting letter.
3. State the qualifications of the nominating or supporting author (simple “long time member of ASE” or “previous chair/member of the XXX committee” is all that is required)
4. State how the author knows the applicant – do you work with them, train them, served on committees with them, etc.
5. Acknowledge from letter author, they have reviewed the requirements for the position and verify the candidate meets the criteria (see Open Positions & Criteria).
6. Review the following areas of strengths and/or weakness: Respect in the profession, are they strategic thinkers, will they have time to serve, are they effective leaders or potential leaders, committed to ASEF’s organizational goals, can broadly represent the ASE membership. This is the content of the letter should contain examples to support the opinions of the author reviewing the candidate’s activities etc. This would be the section to highlight special attributes, awards etc.
7. The ending statement should contain a description of how strongly the author supports the nomination.

Please remember that the nomination process is confidential and you should avoid discussions with others in regards to who is nominated for which position.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS AND CANDIDATE MATERIALS IS August 30, 2024.  There will be no exceptions to this deadline.

Letters should be sent electronically to Suzanne Morris at smorris@asecho.org