5 Steps To Write a Winning Candidate Statement—With Examples

Co-ops, credit unions, non-profits, and other democratically run organizations rely on elections to determine leadership and overall direction. However, many voting members likely aren’t familiar with the candidates running for leadership positions. Instead of asking voters to blindly choose a candidate they might not be familiar with, more organizations are encouraging candidates to write candidate profiles.

Candidate profiles should include powerful candidate statements that could make the difference between winning and losing an election. In most cases, voters rely on these board election bios to choose the best candidates for the job, so it’s incredibly important to know how to write a winning candidate narrative.

As an up-and-coming leader, you need every possible advantage to win over more voters. Check out this guide to understand the benefits of writing a candidate statement and the most critical components of effective candidate profiles. We’ve also provided a candidate biography template to speed up the writing process, but as always, be sure to personalize the statement to your voice and professional experience.

The Importance of a Compelling Candidate Statement

A candidate statement is a more in-depth version of a candidate biography. It provides members with a clear understanding of who you are as a candidate, your qualifications, and your vision for the organization.

Voting members are selective about leadership, so you must tap into members’ needs and collective expectations. Following the candidate biography template in this guide will help you:

• Demonstrate your experience and qualifications: You have experience, but it can be difficult to share that experience eloquently and succinctly. The candidate statement template allows you to elaborate on your professional background and achievements that qualify you for this role, leaving no stone unturned.
• Increase voter turnout: Chances are, your organization will use candidate statements to educate members on their options during the election. The more timely you are with providing this statement, the more effectively your organization can educate members about you, leading to higher voter participation.
• Connect with voters: Members will read your candidate statement. In some cases, this statement could be the determining factor between voters choosing you or another candidate. A well-crafted candidate statement addresses the key concerns and challenges facing the organization. By acknowledging these issues and presenting practical solutions- candidates show they’re prepared to address the organization’s needs.

The Five Components of a Powerful Candidate Statement

Creating a compelling candidate statement is about more than just listing your qualifications. Instead of writing a stream-of-consciousness story about your career, follow this formula to write an effective candidate profile that garners support and votes.

1. Tell Your Story

Your story should highlight your background, experience, and personal journey. Explain how your professional history and your history with the organization prepared you for this role. This section should make a personal connection with the members, showing them why you’re passionate about the organization’s mission.

Sitting down and writing your entire story in one go can be difficult. Sometimes, it’s easier to start with a shorter candidate biography instead. Follow this candidate bio example to get started. Once you have something on paper, expand on this bio to make a more in-depth candidate statement you can share with your organization.

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

This is where you list your achievements, education, and job experience related to the position. You don’t need a full accounting of your job history; members just want to hear about relevant highlights that qualify you for this leadership position.

Focus on the results you achieved during these experiences. Saying something like, “Previously served on a non-profit advisory board for five years,” is fine, but “Reduced overhead at a non-profit by 20% over five years” is much more compelling.

3. Add a Personal Touch

You don’t want to come across too casually in a candidate statement, but even then, people need to know who you are as a human being. This is key to connecting with voters and fellow members on a more human level. It’s best to focus on who you are professionally, but you can include a few brief references to your personal life, such as your hobbies or family.

4. Communicate Your Vision

Every elected leader should have a vision for the future of the organization. What’s yours? This part of the candidate statement should address key concerns and challenges facing the organization and what you plan to do about them. You don’t need to provide an in-depth plan at this stage, but effectively communicating your goals and wishes for the organization will tell members what they can expect from you as a leader.

5. End With a Call to Action

Many candidate statements end somewhat abruptly, but effective bios put the ball in the member’s court. Ending with a call to action encourages support and engagement to voters. All it takes is one sentence to encourage them to participate in the election and consider you as their representative. It’s also a good idea to thank members for their consideration.

Write a Winning Candidate Narrative With This Template

The best candidate statements are written from the heart. However, it can take more than a few tries to get it right. A lot is riding on this narrative, so when in doubt, follow this candidate statement template, which includes all five components of a powerful narrative. You don’t need to follow it verbatim, but it’s a helpful tool for putting your statement on paper and refining it based on your situation.

 [Your story]

My name is [Name], and I am honored to be a candidate for the [Position] at [Organization]. I currently serve as [Your Current Role], where I have had the privilege of [Briefly mention your responsibilities or achievements].

 I have always been passionate about [Organization] and its mission to [Mission statement or core values]. My journey with the organization began [Number] years ago when I first joined as [Initial role]. Over the years, I have been actively involved in [List activities or roles], which have deepened my understanding and commitment to our community.

[Relevant experience]

With [Number] years of experience in [Industry/Field], I have developed a deep understanding of [Relevant Skills or Knowledge]. My career has included roles such as [Previous roles], where I was responsible for [Key responsibilities]. My involvement has included [Volunteering, committee membership, etc.], allowing me to gain insights into our operations and member needs. These experiences have equipped me with the skills needed to contribute effectively to our organization.

 [Personal touch]

I am known for my [Personal qualities like integrity, dedication, and teamwork], and I am committed to bringing these values to my role as [Position]. My approach is always [Briefly describe your approach or leadership style], which I believe is essential for fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

 [Your vision]

If elected, my primary goals are to [List your goals, such as enhancing member engagement, improving financial stability, introducing new services, etc.]. I believe that by focusing on [Key areas of focus], we can achieve significant progress and continue to grow as a community. I am particularly focused on addressing [Specific challenges], and I have a plan to [Briefly outline solutions].

 [Call to action]

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to serve [Organization] and to work together towards a prosperous future. I look forward to the possibility of contributing my skills and passion to our shared success. Thank you for your time and consideration.

What To Include In Your Nomination Packet:

Biography or profile

Typically written in the third person, this two to three paragraph introduction covers the relevant achievements and accomplishments of each candidate.

Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

Candidates up for election are essentially applying for a job, they should include a resume or CV that covers education, faculty or academic appointments, certifications, work experience, publications and/or presentations, awards and special skills. A professional head shot also helps potential voters connect a face with all the valuable information.

Candidate statement

Each candidate should discuss their involvement with the organization, how their leadership would enhance the organization and help fulfill its vision and mission. Candidates should be as specific as possible while outlining their goals and strategies.

Leadership statement

Regardless of the position they’re vying, candidates are being elected to lead. When a candidate explains their leadership style and how their experiences have shaped their leadership philosophy, voters can make a much more informed choice about who will guide the organization.

Leadership statements include information about self-development and developing the skills of others (i.e. through mentoring), concrete examples of teamwork, collaboration and working toward innovation and an overview of communications and decision-making skills.

References

Like any good job interview, your organization isn’t going to solely rely on a candidate’s word they have the skills and experience to be successful in the position. Candidates should present several professional and personal references that reflect their experience and qualifications.

Encourage Votes With a Persuasive Candidate Narrative

A well-structured candidate statement is essential for effectively communicating your qualifications and vision to the members of your organization. By following these components, you can craft a powerful narrative highlighting your strengths, addressing key concerns, and demonstrating your commitment to the organization’s mission.

Professional, high-quality candidates increase members’ trust in the democratic process, but that’s just the beginning. Organizations also need reliable, auditable election processes and systems to ensure fair elections. Membership organizations trust Survey & Ballot Systems to run streamlined hybrid, in-person, or virtual elections that simplify the democratic process. Get in touch with SBS now to find a better way to manage your organization’s votes.