The HAA Nominating Committee consists of 15 women and men of differing backgrounds, with considerable knowledge of Harvard and of the work of the Overseers and HAA Directors. Nominating Committee members are appointed for three-year terms by the HAA Board of Directors, a body of over 90 elected and appointed alumni representative of all Harvard alumni. This report outlines the process by which the Nominating Committee chose its candidates this year.

Choosing the Candidates

All alumni of the University are encouraged to suggest candidates each year by writing to the chair of the Nominating Committee, Wadsworth House, Cambridge, MA 02138. This year the Committee's pool of candidates included approximately 300 individuals; the Committee's staff assembled resume and background data on each nominee.

The Nominating Committee met for more than 30 hours over 5 days. The meetings involved extensive review of the material assembled by the staff, as well as discussions about candidates' abilities to blend independence of thought with the skills necessary to achieve consensus on and resolution of issues. In many cases, the Committee sought advice from other Harvard alumni to test and clarify opinions and recommendations.

The Committee also considered the duties of Overseers and HAA Directors and the needs of each board for members with a variety of academic, business, and professional backgrounds. They kept in mind the particular qualifications of those members of the two boards whose terms are nearing completion, as well as the qualifications of those who will continue to serve.

Duties of Overseers and HAA Elected Directors

The Board of Overseers is one of Harvard's two governing boards, the other one being the President and Fellows, more commonly known as the Corporation. The chief duties of the Overseers include: membership on visiting committees to the graduate schools, departments, and museums in order to evaluate their effectiveness and provide counsel concerning teaching, management and research; giving formal consent to appointments and major initiatives as referred by the Corporation; and bringing a long-range perspective to Harvard affairs through the special expertise and wise judgement of their membership. Some Overseers also offer valuable assistance in fundraising.

The HAA Board of Directors guides the activities of the Harvard Alumni Association, the official organization of all Harvard University alumni. Eighteen Directors are elected by the alumni as their "at-large" representatives. Other Directors are appointed to represent a specific region, class or alumni organization. Elected Directors provide leadership for the HAA and its various committees, a capacity often demonstrated by a record of service to Harvard and an ability to communicate widely and effectively with other alumni.

Qualifications of Candidacy

In evaluating an individual's qualifications for service as an Overseer or Director, the Committee emphasized the following:

* experience and achievement in a discipline of particular importance to the boards and the University at this time,

* leadership and consensus-building skills,

* a willingness to represent all alumni in providing counsel to the University,

* a commitment to serve the University on the wide variety of issues encountered in its planning and operations,

* a willingness to commit the significant amount of time and energy necessary for effective service,

* a history of active involvement with the University, and

* a significant contribution to public, educational or charitable endeavors.

Achieving Balance

After identifying potential candidates who met its criteria as individuals, the Committee sought a balanced slate for election by reviewing the existing degree of balance on the boards. To ensure diversity in representing the alumni body, the Committee took into account geographical distribution, academic and professional background, age, gender, and minority representation. The diversity of the Nominating Committee itself contributed importantly in this process.

The Nominating Committee unanimously approved the final slate of nominees, which consists of eight candidates for Overseer and nine candidates for HAA Director.

Participation in the Election

The participation of alumni in this election has been low in recent years. The Nominating Committee hopes that through an explanation of the careful process followed in nominating candidates, more alumni will be encouraged to vote this year. If you do not receive both ballots by May 1, please call the Office of the Governing Boards at 495-1534. (Alumni who are officers of Harvard University do not receive Overseer ballots, but may vote for HAA Directors.)

The Committee respectfully urges that you review the background, qualifications and commitment of the candidates, and then vote for those whom you believe will make the most effective contribution to the governance of Harvard and the HAA in the coming years.

Members of the 1997-98 Nominating Committee: Charlotte P. Armstrong '49, LLB '53, Christopher T. Bayley '60, JD '66 (chairman), Henry H. Chu '90, Paul J. Crowley '53, John A. Downer '80, JD/MBA '84 , Joy K. Fallon '78, JD '82, Paul J. Finnegan '75, MBA '82, Joseph K. Hurd '60, MD '64, Theodore B. Lee '54, Joseph J. O'Donnell '67, MBA '71, Rosalinda R. Ratajczak '66, Thomas M. Reardon, Michael W. Roberts, JD '79, PhD '80, Peter Strauss '54, MBA '58, Patricia A. Wynn '67.