ICAR Air Rescue Commission – President and Vice President elections in 2025

Dear ICAR Air Rescue Commission delegates and interested parties:

At the 2024 ICAR Congress in Thessaloniki, Greece, ICAR Air Rescue Commission (AirCom) President Charley Shimanski announced that he would not seek reelection as the ICAR AirCom President at the regular elections during the 2025 Congress in Jackson Wyoming, even though he is eligible to run for another four-year term.  Shimanski expressed his gratitude to the AirCom delegates and participants for their support and assistance during his 6-year tenure.  Shimanski noted that his decision is based to a great extent on his belief that regular leadership turnover in nonprofit organization boards of directors is important, and that an eleven-year term (had he been reelected) is not a best practice.  He furthermore wishes to honor and recognize the Air Rescue Commission’s readiness for a new leader and possible new direction, believing that the ICAR membership should have the privilege of a process for regularly recruiting, evaluating, and selecting new leaders that will ensure adequate infusion of new ideas and diverse and worldwide perspectives.

Air Rescue Commission Vice President Renaud Guillermet recently announced to the ICAR Executive Board that he is interested in serving as the next ICAR AirCom President.  As such, Renaud will be a candidate for this position at the October 2025 Congress.  At the same time, the Air Rescue Commission President and Vice President positions are filled in a free, open, and democratic election.  As such, other helicopter rescue specialists from ICAR member organizations worldwide are encouraged to consider being nominated to serve the AirCom in a leadership role.  In Jackson Hole, all nominated candidates will be brought forward to the AirCom meeting for election, including Renaud Guillermet as a candidate for ICAR President.  We are also looking for candidates who are interested in serving as Aircom Vice President.  The Vice President will also be elected by the Air Rescue Commission in a free, open, and democratic process.

The ICAR Bylaws are quite specific regarding elections, including these important passages:

• 4.2.3    Members’ motions for the agenda must be submitted in writing to the President at least three months prior to the Assembly. Nominations for elections must be submitted by the Member organizations in writing to the President at least three months prior to the Assembly. Members’ motions and nominations may also be brought forward at the opening of the Assembly. The Assembly of Delegates approves admission of such motions and nominations.
•  4.3.1    Executive Board members are nominated by an ICAR Member organization. The Assembly of Delegates elects the Executive Board for a four-year period. Members may be re-elected twice for the same role. If an Executive Board member takes on a new role, the four-year period starts anew.
•  5.5       In elections of persons, the absolute majority determines the result in the first round, and the simple majority of the valid votes in the second round.

If you are interested in being considered for the AirCom President position, please note the requirement that “Nominations for elections must be submitted by the Member organizations in writing to the President at least three months prior to the Assembly.”  Please have your nominating member organization submit your nomination to ICAR President Franz Stämpfli (president@air-rescue.org) and to ICAR AirCom President Charley Shimanski (air.rescue@alpine-rescue.org) within this timeframe.

If you are interested in being considered for the AirCom Vice President position, please submit your letter of interest to ICAR AirCom President Charley Shimanski (air.rescue@alpine-rescue.org).

If you have any questions about this process, or about the AirCom leadership roles, please do not hesitate to contact ICAR AirCom President Charley Shimanski (air.rescue@alpine-rescue.org).

Thank you.