Elections

I second that!

I like the idea of having a forum specifically for the election process.  But, I see it a little different.  I think the election forum should be open to all.  It should also only be opened/visible during the campaign.

1.  October meeting:  People can start nominating people for election.  A list is maintained of those that have been nominated and whether they have responded to nominations.  I would not publicize whether they accepted or declined...just that they responded.

2.  November meeting:  All nominations are finished.  No new ones accepted.  Candidates are now free to campaign.  Election forum is activated (all old posts removed).

3.  Two weeks before December meeting, members may start voting.  To do this, they print a ballot, fill it out, and mail it to the club.  The mailed ballots remain unopened.

4.  December meeting:  Voting deadline.  Ballots are accepted.  All mailed-in ballots are turned in.  This should be a short meeting.

5.  At the conclusion of the December meeting, ballots are counted.  Anyone is welcome to watch the counting.

6.  In the next day or two, official results are posted on the forum and candidates are notified of winning or "Better luck next year".

7.  By January's meeting, new president has appointed (and been accepted) additional members to the council.

8.  Ballots are kept till March's meeting in the event of "problems".  Non-performance, recounts, withdrawals, etc.

9.  After March, Presidency can appoint any replacements (non-performers, withdrawals).

Notes:  Only 4 council members are elected.  Others may be appointed as needed (in compliance with by-laws).  Typically, I think 4 are appointed.

here is just a thought, that I was working on...

The Officers and Directors will appoint an elections committee, as well as a chair-person of that committee, at the September Officers and Director's meeting. The names of the Committee members will be read at the October regular monthly meeting of the Society. The elections committee will present its list of nominees at the regular November meeting, all of whom must have already accepted their nominations. Additional nominations from the floor shall be called for at this meeting, subject to the previous consent of the nominee. The voting will be held at the regular Society meeting in December, and the ballots will be counted at the end of this meeting by the elections committee, totaled with the absent ballots, and the results will be published on the website as well as read at the January meeting. All ballots will be printed and saved for the duration of one year by the election committee Chair-person. All current and new Officers and Directors are to work together through out the month of December, and newly elected Officers and Directors are to be installed at the January regular meeting, and are responsible for the future calendar year.


many other 'thoughts' to come...

Edited by EagleEyez5 - November 18 2008 at 3:46pm

bgreenlee wrote: I would suggest a change to the election process. I would shorten the nomination to election process to a short manageable time frame, like two weeks from one to the other.

I really like some of Billy's ideas.  I think there have been many good ideas and things stated during this election that we as a club need to incorporate or amend into our bylaws that would help or make our club election process run smoother.
I think our club's election process is a joke, compared to other clubs.
We need a firm set of rules that govern our club concerning elections.
One thing that has been talked about is an election committee.  Why not?  My opinion is that this is a necessity to guarantee that the rules are kept and that the election process is also kept from getting out of hand or one sided.  It is a way to take away the suspicion and keep our elections honest.  This committee should be made up from three or more members in good standing that are not running for any position.  No one running for a position should be involved with the counting of the ballots.  We are not a club run by a dictatorship.
Do we need a list of positions that individuals are running for and those that are appointed?  Why not?  Should there be a limit on the number of appointed positions?
I also liked the idea on the online ballot counting, that was mentioned.  Maybe the cost would be an issue.  This is something that needs to be looked at.
It would be really nice to know the results of the elections prior to the next meeting, or in our case the January meeting.
What about term limits (how long an individual can hold a specific position)?  I think change and new ideas are good, and at times is what is needed to take things and possibly our club to the next level.  But because sometimes things and ideas take a while to get running on the right track, maybe the President and VP should be elected for two year terms instead of every year.  Other positions in the council or board could also be depending on what they are or do and could be for either one or two years.
I am not trying to start any fights and just want other's opinions on this.  I would think that if you have an opinion that you would be able to express in to words a good reason as to why you feel the way you do, rather than to say something like, "Because it is a stupid idea" or "I like it the way it is".  State the cause and give reason to why.  Don't show your ignorance, just because you have an opinion.

Maybe the future presidency can appoint a committee to get input, and to draft some proposals to bring before the club at a future meeting that would address our club's election process and the amendments needed amend our club's bylaws concerning this.

I looked at it also. I agree with Larry that it could be a good "all in one" option to the current system.