2026 Call for Nominations: Join the SWATS CST Stewardship Board
A Vision for Community Ownership: Join the Stewardship Board
We’re building a future where land in Southwest Atlanta fuels community wealth—not speculation.
We’re seeking four community-minded Stewards to join the SWATS CST Stewardship Board. It’s the heart of our shared governance. Board members help guide property decisions, uphold our values of affordability and economic democracy, and keep this work rooted in the needs of our neighbors.
Nominate yourself or a Steward you trust to represent the community well!
Nomination Deadline: April 26, 2026
Contents:
- A Vision for Community Ownership: Join the Stewardship Board
- Summary of the SWATS CST
- The Stewardship Board: The Community’s Voice in Governance
- Board Member Job Description: Roles, Duties, and Requirements
- Eligibility Criteria and Desired Attributes
- Term and Compensation
- How to Apply: Nomination Process & Timeline
- Key Dates & Timeline
- Nomination Form Questions
- Example Nomination Form Response
- Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Summary of the SWATS CST
The SWATS Community Stewardship Trust (CST) is a community-owned model for mixed-use and commercial real estate. Developed by The Guild, the CST takes property off the speculative market and places it under democratic community control. Our mission is to build shared wealth, ensure permanent affordability, and create community-anchored spaces in Southwest Atlanta.
Our first project, the 918 Dill Avenue pilot, transforms a vacant building into a community-owned asset featuring a grocery store, commercial kitchens, and 18 affordable housing units. This is just the beginning of our long-term vision for resident-led investment and community-centered development.
The Stewardship Board: The Community’s Voice in Governance
Our governance is built on a dual-board model that balances community vision with financial responsibility.
- Fiduciary Board (Board of Directors): Holds legal and financial oversight, ensuring the CST remains stable, compliant, and well-managed.
- Stewardship Board (This Board): Sets community direction, guiding property decisions to reflect our mission and shared priorities. Think of it as the “community compass” for our collective assets.
The Stewardship Board functions in relation to other parts of our governance ecosystem:
- To the Fiduciary Board: We work collaboratively on strategic planning, property acquisitions, and major developments. The Stewardship Board has consent authority on many of these issues, ensuring community interests are protected. Fiduciary Board members also co-lead several working circles alongside Stewardship Board members.
- To the Stewards (You!): The Board is accountable to all CST Stewards through an annual election process, regular community forums, and transparent decision-making.
- To the Working Circles: The Board’s work is carried out in partnership with our four working circles. Each Stewardship Board member is expected to take a leadership role in one of these circles, connecting the Board’s strategic vision to day-to-day community action.
| Circle | Focus Area |
| Governance Circle | Oversees elections, charters, decision-making processes, and community standards. |
| Property Management Circle | Guides property use, tenant relations, and property upkeep. |
| Partnerships Circle | Develops strategic partnerships and oversees tenant/partner agreements. |
| Organizing Circle | Leads community engagement, outreach, and Steward recruitment. |
Job Description: Roles, Duties, and Requirements
As a Stewardship Board member, you are a community ambassador and a key decision-maker for the CST’s future.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Direction: Participate in quarterly board meetings to make consent-based decisions on property use, community standards, and resource allocation.
- Circle Leadership: Actively participate in and help lead one of the four CST working circles (Governance, Property Management, Partnerships, or Organizing).
- Community Engagement: Serve as a liaison between the Board and the community, attending events, gathering input, and communicating board decisions.
- Mission Alignment: Ground all decisions in the CST’s core mission of democratizing property ownership and building community power.
Time Commitment:
- Quarterly Board Meetings (4 per year): Mandatory attendance, 2-4 hours each, for strategic decision-making.
- Circle Meetings: Regular meetings (typically monthly) for your assigned working circle.
- Annual Meeting Prep Session: Mandatory attendance on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Get more info and RSVP here.
- CST Annual Meeting: Mandatory attendance on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
- Additional time for reviewing materials, community events, and occasional strategic sessions. Get more info and RSVP here.
Eligibility Criteria and Desired Attributes
To be eligible for the Stewardship Board, you must be
a CST Steward (a Class A or B shareholder) in good standing. In addition, you must the CST Education Requirement, completing either the online course or a qualifying CST Workshop.
We are seeking candidates who embody the following skills and attributes:
- Commitment to Mission: A demonstrated passion for community development, affordable housing, and racial and economic justice.
- Community Connection: Strong ties to or investment in the Southwest Atlanta community.
- Collaborative Spirit: Willingness to work in a consensus-based, sociocratic environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
- Communication Skills: Ability to listen deeply to community members and clearly communicate board decisions.
- Relevant Experience (Valuable but Not Required): Experience in areas like real estate, property management, finance, community organizing, law, or nonprofit governance.
- Availability: Capacity to fulfill the time commitment outlined above.
Term and Compensation
There are four (4) open seats for this election. To ensure continuity, these seats are for staggered terms:
- Two (2) seats for a one-year term (expiring June 2027)
- One (1) seat for a two-year term (expiring June 2028)
- One (1) seat for a three-year term (expiring June 2029)
All candidates will be considered for all term lengths based on their interest and the needs of the Board. Preference for term length can be indicated in your application.
Compensation for the First Year:
This is a volunteer leadership position. For the inaugural year, there is a small stipend to reduce barriers to participation that we plan to continue in future years.
How to Apply: Nomination Process & Timeline
You may nominate yourself or another CST Steward. If you nominate someone else, we will follow up with them to confirm their interest and complete the application questions.
To apply, please complete the nomination form by April 26, 2026. The form includes the following questions. NOTE: Your answers will be published along with your bio for all CST Stewards to review before voting.
Link to Nomination Form: bit.ly/nominateSB26
Key Dates & Timeline
- Nominations Open: March 30, 2026
- Nominations Close: April 26, 2026
- Nominee Review & Ballot Prep: April 26 – May 8, 2026
- Virtual Candidate Forum & Voter Education: TBD (Early May)
- CST Annual Meeting Prep Session (Mandatory for Candidates): May 16, 2026
- Voting Period: May 11 – June 13, 2026
- CST Annual Meeting & In-Person Vote (Mandatory for Candidates): June 13, 2026
- Results Announced: June 13, 2026
- New Board Onboarding & Transition: June 13 – 30, 2026
Nomination Form Questions
🔗 Complete the Nomination / Application Form: bit.ly/nominateSB26
Nominations Are Now Open for the SWATS CST Stewardship Board!
Thank you for your interest in shaping the future of community-owned real estate in Southwest Atlanta. The Stewardship Board is the community compass for the CST, ensuring our properties are managed in a way that reflects our values of economic democracy and shared prosperity.
We are seeking four community-minded Stewards to join the Board for staggered one, two, and three-year terms.
Please review the full Call for Nominations before completing this form. It contains important details about eligibility, the time commitment, and the role of the Board within our governance structure.
Applications are due by April 26, 2026.
If you have questions, please email the Elections Committee at cst@theguild.community or sign up for a Help Desk session.
Nomination / Application Form
- Nominator Information:
- Your Name:
- Your Email:
- Are you nominating yourself or someone else?
- Myself
- Someone else (Please provide their name and email below)
- Nominee Information (If nominating someone else, please complete this section with their details):
- Nominee’s Full Name:
- Nominee’s Email:
- Nominee’s Phone Number:
- Nominee’s Neighborhood(s):
Nominee Application
To be completed by the nominee. Your answers will be published along with your bio for all CST Stewards to review before voting.
- Bio: Share a brief biography to introduce yourself (usually in the third person tense, i.e. “[Your Name] is …”).
- Statement of Interest: Why are you (or your nominee) interested in serving on the SWATS CST Stewardship Board? What excites you most about this opportunity to shape community-owned real estate?
- Community Connection & Experience: Please describe your connection to the Southwest Atlanta community and any relevant skills or experiences you would bring to the board. Do you live and/or work in the community? This could also include professional background, lived experience, community organizing, or other forms of engagement.
- Vision for Community Stewardship: In your view, what is the most important role the Stewardship Board plays in ensuring the CST remains accountable to the community and true to its mission?
- Term Preference: We will be filling seats of varying term lengths. Please indicate your preference by selecting all that apply:
- I am open to any term length (one, two, or three years).
- I am primarily interested in a one-year term.
- I am primarily interested in a two-year term.
- I am primarily interested in a three-year term.
- I prefer not to serve on a one-year term.
- I prefer not to serve on a three-year term.
- Comments: Please feel free to share anything else you want us to know.
Please submit your nomination by April 26, 2026. We look forward to hearing from you!
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
We know that stepping into a leadership role is a big decision, and you may have questions about the commitment, the governance model, or the CST itself.
Get in Touch:
For any questions about the Stewardship Board, the election process, or your eligibility, please email the Elections Committee at cst@theguild.community. We will respond within 2 business days.
Attend a Help Desk Session:
Prefer a conversation? Sign up for a virtual Help Desk session. This is an informal space to ask questions, talk through the nomination form, or just learn more about what it means to serve on the Stewardship Board.