(a) Initial appointment of members to the committee shall be made by this Court. Thereafter, members, other than the retired judge members, shall be appointed by the board of governors of The Missouri Bar upon nomination by members of the board, by local and regional bar associations, and by citizens who are not members of The Missouri Bar. Initial retired judge members and all retired judge members thereafter shall be appointed by this Court.

(b) In acting upon nominations, the board of governors shall give due consideration to nonpartisan, merit factors, such as expertise, experience, and knowledge and to geographic, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity.