2026 Board of Directors Election
Make a difference.
Vote for our Board of Directors!
Atheists United’s volunteer Board of Directors are elected annually by our membership.
Candidate statements:
VICE-PRESIDENT
NO CANDIDATES
Feel free write-in a candidate or leave this blank.
TREASURER
NO CANDIDATES
Feel free write-in a candidate or leave this blank.
DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE
(3 seats available)
Kim Gibson
I relocated to Long Beach, CA from Jackson, Mississippi in 2002, joining AU shortly after we arrived. In Mississippi, I helped charter the now defunct (due to covid) Mississippi Humanist Association, the first American Humanist Association chapter in Mississippi in 2015. While volunteering at Mississippi’s last abortion clinic, I co-founded a small pro-choice nonprofit called We Engage, supporting the clinic defenders and escorts at our clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization. At the clinic, I helped patients as well as talked to the Christian Nationalists outside for five plus years. I learned a lot.
I believe in community service, and I believe my experiences would be of service to the AU community. Unfortunately, the political climate for atheists is rapidly changing, becoming more like Mississippi, as the federal government seeks to police speech and freethought. We as atheists and freethinkers must build on the strength and success of AU and continue building the systems that support us and bring us together.
Every month, I co-host the Atheist United Long Beach Meetup group with current AU board member David Valles, building the local atheist community. I hope you will consider me for one of the available “at-large” board positions.
Thank you.
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
NO CANDIDATES
Feel free write-in a candidate or leave this blank.
FAQs
+ When is the election?
The election is now open.
Online voting will close at 12pm on October 25.
+ How do I cast a vote?
Voting will be held online. The online voting portal will be open to members starting October 11th. We will email further instructions with your unique voter ID code if you're an active sustaining member.
If you have not received a link, voter ID code, and instructions by October 15th, please email evan@atheistsunited.org.
+ Can I write-in a candidate's name?
Yes. You can write-in someone's name for any position. However they must recieve a second write-in before they become eligible for the election. If they meet eligibility requirements, they will be considered in the final tally like all other candidates.
+ Can I abstain?
Yes. You can leave a section blank if you do not wish to vote for a particular board seat.
+ What are the candidate requirements?
To be eligible for election, candidates must have a sustaining membership for at least 3 out of the previous 12 months. If elected, board members must maintain an active membership throughout their entire 2-year term.
Candidates for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer must have an active sustaining membership for at least 6 out of the previous 12 months.
Candidates for Youth Representative must have a sustaining membership for at least 3 out of the previous 12 months AND must be under the age of 35 by time of election.
+ What is a director-at-large?
A "director-at-large" is a board member who does not hold an officer position (president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer).
+ What is a youth representative?
A "youth representative" is a board member who does not hold an officer position (president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer) and additionally is under the age of 35 at time of election.
+ What happens if no one is elected to a position?
If no one is elected to a board position through the election process the board can appoint a member to serve in that position for the length of the term.
+ Can candidates run for multiple positions?
No, candidates can only run for one seat at a time.
+ How long are board terms?
Elected board members serve two year terms that start on January 1st follwing the election.
+ What is the time commitment to be a board member?
Board members are expected to give a minimum of 4 hours per month to attending monthly board meetings and committee meetings virtually. On top of that, board members are expecteded to keep up with all board digital communications and involve themselves in various committee projects where able.
+ What are the duties and responsibilities of a board member?
According to BoardSource.org the primary duties of a non-profit board member are:
*Duty of Care — Each board member has a legal responsibility to participate actively in making decisions on behalf of the organization and to exercise their best judgment while doing so.
*Duty of Loyalty — Each board member must put the interests of the organization before their personal and professional interests when acting on behalf of the organization in a decision-making capacity. The organization’s needs come first.
*Duty of Obedience — Board members bear the legal responsibility of ensuring that the organization complies with the applicable federal, state, and local laws and adheres to its mission.
For further reading on non-profit board responsibilieis we recommend this article on 11 Nonprofit Board Member Responsibilities.
+ What are the current board committees?
All board members are required to serve on at least two board committees. Committees meet virtually once per month and are chaired by a member of the board.
Current Committees:
Governance Committee
Fundraising & Membership Committee
Finance Committee
Program Committee
Advocacy Committee
+ Do I have to be a member to vote?
Yes. The deadline to become a member to vote in this election is October 4th.
+ How can I check my membership status?
Please email evan@atheistsunited.org
+ When will the results be announced?
The results will be announced on Atheists United's website no later than December 1st.
+ Why can't atheists solve exponential equations?
Because they don't believe in higher powers.
+ I have another question!
Please email evan@atheistsunited.org.