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GALA Board Elections

GALA’s strength has always been its community. Our members are dedicated professionals who excel at their jobs and share their time and expertise for the good of all. Serving on the GALA Board is a chance to be part of that story. You’ll stretch your leadership skills, build valuable connections, and help shape the future of an important part of our industry. 

If you’re ready to grow, connect, and contribute, and you're eager to combine your ambition with some altruism, then we encourage you to submit your candidacy for the GALA Board.

The submission deadline is 02 October 2026.  

Candidacy

There are four open seats for the 2027-2029 term. Board candidates are self-nominated. Please carefully review the responsibilities and criteria outlined below. When you are ready to submit your candidacy,  complete the nomination form. 

GALA's Board should be balanced, diverse, and representative of the association's general membership. We are seeking volunteer leaders from small and large language services companies, technology firms, interpreting agencies, universities, and enterprise localization teams - from around the globe - to join the GALA Board.

Successful candidates have a history of engagement with GALA and a strong commitment to the association’s success. They have a strategic mindset and possess personal qualities such as open-mindedness, foresight, collaboration, and integrity. 

 SUBMIT YOUR CANDIDACY FORM

The GALA Board of Directors is responsible for the strategic direction of the association. The board convenes monthly (virtually) to discuss the association's priorities and progress. The board is responsible for the following:

  • Deciding matters of association policy, direction, and strategy
  • Identifying and addressing short- and long-term association opportunities, threats, and priorities
  • Establishing and dissolving committees, task forces, and working groups
  • Providing effective financial oversight
  • Assessing the association’s Executive Director

Board members participate on executive sub-committees such as governance and finance, and as liaisons on member committees such as the conference program committee. During their tenure, board members should be prepared to devote time to GALA-related activities including: 

  • Regularly scheduled virtual board meetings
  • Annual in-person board meeting (co-located with GALA's annual conference)
  • Other face-to-face meetings often co-located with major industry events
  • Participation in member engagement initiatives and committees
  • Leadership on specific association initiatives

Board members devote 3-8 hours per month to GALA volunteer work, including subcommittees. The term of office is three years: 01 January 2027 through 31 December 2029.
Submitting Your Candidacy

Candidates are self-nominated. You will need an active GALA user account to submit your candidacy. Please update your user account before completing the nomination form because many fields will auto-populate.

You will be asked about your leadership experience, your GALA engagement, and your thoughts on the role of GALA. Your responses on this form will be published as part of your candidate materials.

The GALA team will review your nomination to ensure you meet the eligibility qualifications. We will reach out with any questions and notify you when you are accepted as a candidate and next steps.

Eligibility Qualifications
  • Current GALA membership: company, university, nonprofit, or professional membership (student members are not eligible to serve on the board)
  • Minimum 3 years of GALA membership within the last 5 years. 
  • Executive or senior-level professional with a minimum 8 years of industry experience
  • Employer’s endorsement and support
  • Demonstrable history of engagement with GALA through its programs and services, including prior GALA volunteer experience
  • Commitment to GALA's mission and vision
  • Absence of conflicts of interest (e.g., serving as an officer with a similar non-profit organization, receiving compensation for products or services detrimental to GALA, etc.)
  • Acceptance of association policies 

Review the GALA Board Eligibility and Responsibilities document and Board FAQ for more information.
Campaigning

GALA provides campaign guidelines and promotes member participation in the election process. Candidates will receive their own candidate page on GALA's website. Candidates will be announced and statements will be published in mid-October.

GALA does not share the personal information of our voting contacts or any of our mailing lists.

Voting

All GALA members except student members may vote in elections. GALA distributes one (1) ballot to the voting contact at each member company (company, university, or nonprofit memberships) and to each professional member. The ballot requires that you vote for as many candidates as there are open seats. This year, there are four. The candidates with the most votes are elected.

For questions about GALA's Board of Directors, submitting your candidacy, or the elections process, please contact us.