Nominating Committee
Candidates for Convention
Pursuant to Idaho PTA Bylaws, the Nominating Committee prepares and presents the slate of candidates for delegate consideration and vote at the State Convention.
Idaho PTA Bylaws – Article 11, Section 1(d)(ii) – Nominating Committee
Proposed Bylaw Addendum
In plain language:
This is not changing who gets elected — only when they are elected. This change aligns governance structure with best practices for nonprofit board continuity.
Pursuant to Article 19 – Amendments, Section 2 of the Idaho PTA Bylaws, which states, “The Board of Directors and Bylaws Committee may submit suggested amendments… up to sixty (60) days prior to convention,” and with the 2026 State Convention scheduled for April 17, 2026, the sixty-day submission deadline is March 16, 2026.
Addendum – Staggered Terms of Elected Officers
Designed as a single insertion under Article 8 - Officers and Board Members, Section 2 Term of Office, or immediately following it.
Section #. Staggered Elections and Continuity of Office
a. Beginning with the first election following adoption of this amendment, elected officer positions shall be divided into two election cohorts for the purpose of maintaining continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge.
b. The cohorts shall be structured so that approximately one-half of the elected officer positions are elected in odd-numbered years and the remaining elected officer positions are elected in even-numbered years.
c. The offices of President and Treasurer shall not be elected in the same election year.
d. Initial cohort assignments shall be determined by the Board of Directors and recorded in the Standing Rules. Adjustments necessary to establish staggered terms may include a one-time term extension or reduction not to exceed one (1) year.
e. After the initial transition period, all elected officer terms shall resume the standard term length as defined in these bylaws.
f. Nothing in this section alters term limits, eligibility requirements, or vacancy procedures already established in these bylaws.
2026
Board Composition
Per Idaho PTA Bylaws
The Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee — nine elected officers (four officers and five Elected Directors at Large) — along with two Youth Directors at Large (or alternates) and up to six appointed Directors at Large, as established in the Idaho PTA Bylaws.
A Team Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future
For more than 120 years, Idaho PTA has been powered by dedicated volunteers and strong community leadership. In 2025, the bylaws were thoughtfully updated to realign with our original roots, strengthen continuity, and clarify governance. It has been a meaningful journey, and great things are ahead as we continue to serve every child with one voice.
Current Elected Officers:
Serving until 2027
-
Jamie Braithwaite, having been duly nominated and elected at the 2025 State Convention, is recognized as the elected officer for the 2025–2027 term of service.
Serving in her first term as President.
-
The office of Secretary is presently vacant and will be filled in accordance with the vacancy procedures outlined in the bylaws. The individual appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors shall serve the remainder of the 2025–2027 term, after which the position will return to the regular election cycle.
Current Elected Officers with Potential Extended Terms: Would Serve until 2028
-
The individual elected to the office of Vice President at the 2025 Convention subsequently assumed the position of Director of Programs. Anna Kinney, having been appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Vice President in 2025, is being recommended for placement within the proposed staggered-election transition to align the Vice President position with the designated election cohort and preserve continuity of leadership.
Serving in her first term as Vice President.
-
Leah Bonstead, elected Treasurer at the 2025 Convention, is being recommended for a one-time term extension pursuant to the proposed Addendum on Staggered Elections, establishing the Treasurer office within an even-year election cohort to preserve leadership continuity.
Serving in her second term as Treasurer.
Proposed Staggered Elections and Continuity of Office
a. Beginning with the first election following adoption of this amendment, elected officer positions shall be divided into two election cohorts for the purpose of maintaining continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge.
b. The cohorts shall be structured so that approximately one-half of the elected officer positions are elected in odd-numbered years and the remaining elected officer positions are elected in even-numbered years.
c. The offices of President and Treasurer shall not be elected in the same election year.
d. Initial cohort assignments shall be determined by the Board of Directors and recorded in the Standing Rules. Adjustments necessary to establish staggered terms may include a one-time term extension or reduction not to exceed one (1) year.
e. After the initial transition period, all elected officer terms shall resume the standard term length as defined in these bylaws.
f. Nothing in this section alters term limits, eligibility requirements, or vacancy procedures already established in these bylaws.
Current Elected Directors:
Serving until 2027
-
Nicol Callahan, elected Vice President of Membership at the 2025 State Convention, subsequently assumed the position of Director of Compliance and Membership for the 2025–2027 term.
Serving in her first term as Director of Compliance & Membership.
-
Alexis Morgan was elected Vice President of Advocacy at the 2025 State Convention and subsequently assumed the position of Director of Public Policy for the 2025–2027 term.
Serving in her first term as Director of Public Policy.
Past President (2023 - 2025)
Current Elected Directors with Potential Extended Terms:
Would serve until 2028
-
Michelle Norton was elected Vice President-Elect at the 2025 Convention and is currently serving as Director of Programs. In alignment with the proposed staggered-term adjustments to establish a rotating board cycle, she is being presented to seve as the Director of Programs for the until 2028.
Serving in her first term as Director of Programs.
-
Amanda Poitevin, having been appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Director of Communication, is recommended for nomination and election within an even-year cohort pursuant to the proposed Staggered Elections and Continuity of Office amendment, supporting continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge.
Serving in her first term as Director of Communication.
-
An individual to be named, having been appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Director of Family Support and Mental Health, is recommended for nomination and election within an even-year cohort pursuant to the proposed Staggered Elections and Continuity of Office amendment to support continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge.
Serving in her first term as Director of Family Support & Mental Health.
Current Appointed Directors:
Serving until 2027
-
Dr. Matt Larsen, having been duly appointed, serves as Director of Mental Health for the 2025–2027 term.
Serving in his first term as Director of Mental Health.
-
Wendy Liljenquist, having been duly appointed, serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the 2025–2027 term.
Serving in her first term as Director of Strategic Partnerships.
-
Shelly Smede, having been duly appointed, serves as Director of Innovation and Connection for the 2025–2027 term.
Serving in her first term as Director of Innovation & Connection.
Current Appointed Directors with Potential Extended Terms:
Would serve until 2028
-
Stephen Rudy, having been duly appointed, serves as Director of Local Unit Engagement for the 2025–2027 term, with the office proposed to transition to an even-year election cycle in accordance with the Staggered Elections and Continuity of Office amendment.
Serving in his first term as Director of Local Unit Engagement.
Past President (2021 - 2023)
-
The Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee — nine elected officers (four officers and five Elected Directors at Large) — along with two Youth Directors at Large (or alternates) and up to six appointed Directors at Large, as established in the Idaho PTA Bylaws.
-
The Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee — nine elected officers (four officers and five Elected Directors at Large) — along with two Youth Directors at Large (or alternates) and up to six appointed Directors at Large, as established in the Idaho PTA Bylaws.
Current Appointed Youth Ambassadors One Year Terms
-
Bo McClure was duly appointed to the office of Director for Youth Ambassador and shall serve a one-year term from 2026 to 2027.
-
Emi Braithwaite, having previously served (2025 - 2026), is presented for nomination to a second term as Youth Ambassador.
Elected Positions as documented at 2025 Convention
-
Jamie Braithwaite, Idaho Falls, Elected as President during the 2025 Convention. First Term as President to be served 2025 to 2027.
-
Michelle Norton of Lewiston was elected President-Elect at the 2025 Convention and has since transitioned into the role of Director of Programs.
-
Nicol Callahan (Nampa), elected Vice President of Membership at the 2025 Convention, subsequently assumed the Board of Directors position of Director of Compliance and Membership to serve the 2025–2027 term.Prior to relocating to Idaho, I served 5 years on CA based PTAs (3 years as Treasurer and 2 years as President). I have over 15 years of 501(c)(3) experience with a national non-profit and 4 years of experience as an external auditor for non-profits. My non-profit experience provides a solid basis for understanding the unique standards in which they are required to operate and my PTA experience provides a perspective that allows me to provide meaningful and feasible options to Local Unit Leaders. Thank you for your consideration.
-
Alexis Morgan (Eagle), elected Vice President of Advocacy at the 2025 Convention, subsequently assumed the Board of Directors position of Director of Public Policy for the 2025–2027 term.
-
Leah Bonstead was duly elected to the office of Treasurer for the 2025–2027 term. In the interest of financial stability and organizational continuity, a proposal is being advanced to stagger the election cycles of the President and Treasurer to ensure these offices are not elected concurrently.
-
The office of Secretary is presently vacant and will be filled in accordance with the vacancy procedures outlined in the bylaws. The individual appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors shall serve the remainder of the 2025–2027 term, after which the position will return to the regular election cycle.
Elected Officers Running from the Convention Floor
-
Conditions Required to Run From the Floor
A person may be nominated from the floor only if ALL of the following are true:
They are qualified
Must be a current Idaho PTA member.
Must have prior PTA experience.
Must meet any additional criteria listed in the Standing Rules.
They have given consent
The nominee must agree to serve if elected.
Advance written notice is required
Written notification (email or mail) must be provided to two Executive Board members
Notice must be given at least five (5) calendar days prior to the first General Session of Convention.
A motion must be made from the floor
The nomination is not automatic — someone must formally move the nomination at the designated election time.