IUGA is Calling: 2026 Call for Nominations

News

IUGA is calling. The Call for Nominations for elected positions is opening soon. Taking a leadership role within IUGA is a valuable opportunity to expand your knowledge, develop your career, broaden your professional network, and make a meaningful contribution to the field of urogynecology. If it is the right time in your career and you are passionate about serving your peers, we encourage you to step forward and apply for one of these open positions. Nominations for the elected positions will be accepted from April 15–May 15, 2026. The term for each of these positions will begin January 1, 2027.

Board of Directors

  • Vice President - 6-year term: 2-year term as Vice President, automatically becomes president for a 2-year term, automatically moves into the Past President position for a 2-year term
    • Specific Terms of Reference for this position are available at this link (click here)
  • Treasurer - 2-year term, renewable once

International Advisory Board (IAB)

  • International Advisory Board Rep – Europe- 3-year term, non-renewable
  • International Advisory Board Rep – Oceania- 3-year term, non-renewable
  • International Advisory Board Rep – Latin America- 3-year term, non-renewable
  • International Advisory Board Rep – Northern America- 3-year term, non-renewable

Committee Chairs 

Nominating committee

  • Member at large- 2-year term, non-renewable

 

IUGA seeks to have members in leadership positions who represent the geographic and multidisciplinary nature of the association. Members from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are therefore especially encouraged to apply, as well as non-physician members from all regions.

 

Nomination Process

As specified in the by-laws, the Nominating Committee will receive all nominations, will review them, and will present the proposed nominees at the IUGA Annual Business Meeting on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro. Nominations will also be taken from the floor during the Annual Business Meeting. At its discretion, the Nominating Committee may put forth one, two, or more candidates for each open position.

Nominations may be submitted by any IUGA member in good standing, including the nominee himself or herself. A member may be a candidate for only one position. Those making nominations are asked to reflect on the qualifications related to the position for which they are nominating themselves or a candidate. Qualifications and/or essential and desirable competencies for each open position are listed below.

 

To Self-nominate:

Self-nominees should 1) Submit the online Nomination Form, which will include your position statement/statement of interest in the elected position and your relevant experience, and upload your CV and photo. 2) Complete the online Disclosure Form. 

To Nominate an IUGA Colleague

To nominate a colleague, please email the IUGA Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with the name of the colleague you are nominating and the position for which you are nominating them. The IUGA Office will then contact the nominee to 1) confirm they are interested and willing to stand in the election and 2) to request the nominee submit the online nomination form and requested materials.

 

All nominations must be received by 11:59pm UTC on Friday, May 15, 2026.

 

Qualifications for Open Positions

Vice President

  • Candidates must have read and understood the Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President Terms of Reference (6-Year Leadership Track for terms click here)
  • Minimum active membership in IUGA: 5 years
  • Previous significant contribution to IUGA (e.g., chairing the Annual Meeting Local Organizing Committee) AND/OR participation on the Advisory Council (Committee Chairs, International Advisory Board representatives, IUJ editors)
  • Attended IUGA Annual Meeting in 3 of the past 5 years
  • The duties of Vice President are to:
    • In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform all the duties and have all the powers of the President.
    • Aid the President in the organization of the Association and may serve as the President’s proxy for running meetings.

Treasurer

  • Minimum active membership in IUGA: 5 years
  • Previous significant contribution to IUGA (e.g., chairing the Annual Meeting Local Organizing Committee) AND/OR participation on the Advisory Council (Committee Chairs, International Advisory Board representatives, IUJ editors)
  • Proven ability to read financial statements (example – head of department involving budget management)
  • Attended IUGA Annual Meeting in 3 of the past 5 years
  • The duties of Treasurer are to:
    • Ensure that sound financial records are kept, that sound financial practices are in place, that appropriate financial reports are provided on a regular basis to the board and that necessary bank accounts for the Association’s funds are established.
    • The Treasurer will be the primary contact with the office in the development of a budget for the board’s consideration.
    • Submit a financial report to the membership of the Association for its review at the Association’s annual business meeting.
    • Ensure the payment of staff salaries, as determined, and in an amount determined, by the Board of Directors.

International Advisory Board Representatives

  • Minimum active membership in IUGA: 5 years
  • Be a resident in the region to be represented
  • Demonstrated commitment to IUGA and evidence of leadership/involvement in the development of urogynecology in the region
  • Attended IUGA Annual Meeting in 3 of past 5 years
  • The duties of IAB members are to:
    • Meet with and counsel the Board of Directors
    • Serve as Chair of the Regional Advisory Board for the region
    • Serve as a member of the IUGA Membership Committee
    • Initiate symposia and other educational activities in their respective home region

Committee Chairs/Member-at-Large

For the terms of refference for committee chairs, please find the specific terms per committee under the section"committee chairs" at the top of this page. 
These terms give a good view on the responsibilities and projects for each committee.

  • Minimum active membership in IUGA: 5 years
  • Active member of any IUGA committee with significant contribution (i.e., subcommittee chair, working group/project chair)
  • Attended IUGA Annual Meeting in 3 of past 5 years
  • Have specific knowledge and experience related to the committee work.
  • The duties of the committee chairs are to guide the work of their committee so that it achieves its mandate and achieves its stated annual objectives.
  • Should have leadership skills, including consensus building, ability to engage members and encourage participation, and ability to delegate tasks.
  • Ability to respect and work with individuals representing diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds, as well as from medical disciplines.
  • Ability to be responsive and work collaboratively with IUGA Staff liaison.
  • Ability to respond to emails quickly (typically within 2 business days).
  • Ability to adhere to deadlines.

 

Timeline

  • April 15–May 15, 2026: Nominations Accepted
  • June 12, 2026: Candidates Announced at Annual Business Meeting. Nominations Taken from the Floor
  • September 1 – 25, 2026: Online Voting
  • October 2026: Election Results Announced

If one candidate for a particular position does not receive a majority (over 50%) of the vote, a run-off election will be conducted October 13-November 15, 2026, with the results announced the last week of November.