Share what you have found personally rewarding and gratifying in your board service. Encourage people with interest and motivation to consider involvement in school activities, whether it is on an advisory committee, as a building volunteer or as a board member. Share your experiences and knowledge with potential candidates by answering their questions and making them aware of the responsibilities of the board. Some boards have an unwritten guideline that outgoing board members are responsible for encouraging a broad range of candidates in the election to fill their seat. Outgoing board members should seek a range of candidates from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the vision of the district as a member of the board.
Challenged races can help build credibility of the democratic process of board selection.
But when individual board members encourage candidates to run against a fellow board member, it can be counterproductive to your board's teamwork and trust. There is a vast difference between encouraging someone to run for the board and encouraging someone to run against a fellow board member. Sometimes it is hard to make that distinction clear. When the board takes the position that challenged races are in the public interest, it builds credibility and trust. The issues in your district get a better discussion in the public spotlight, which can help build community understanding and support.