 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
|
To realize online voting for this year's election, the TASFAA Board must present to its membership the proposed changes. |
|
Online Voting and Changes to TASFAA Bylaws The Rocky Mountain SFAA implemented online voting a few years ago. In the first week of making online voting available to its members, 40 % of its membership voted in the election of new Board Members. Over 95% of the RMASFAA membership voted in their first online voting opportunity, and they have continued to maintain that participation rate since its inception. To realize online voting for this year's election, the TASFAA Board must present to its membership the proposed changes to the TASFAA Constitutional Bylaws as they relate to the election process. There will be a 30-day period for discussion. After which, the membership must vote on whether to accept the recommended changes, and then conduct an election on whether the membership wants online voting. This two stage process will begin its 30-day discussion period March 4, 2002. The Board feels that every member must be given the opportunity to provide their input as to whether they favor the implementation of online voting and its impact on the election process. The TASFAA Board recognizes that electronic communications is becoming a vital part of conducting business and informing its members of noteworthy issues in a timely manner. We believe that the online election of your TASFAA Board will provide newly elected members the opportunity to make the necessary preparations for service in advance. It will also allow them the opportunity to prepare themselves for the new challenges they will face. Online voting, and the advance notification it provides to newly elected officers, also allows your newly elected Board Members to have a smoother transition, and longer familiarization period concerning vital issues prior to the TASFAA conference, rather than being immediately confronted with unfamiliar issues and having little or no understanding of the issues until 3-4 months into their position as a new Board Member. The Board is actively soliciting your support to realize this new effort to elect your Board members and generate more participation by its membership. The Nominations Committee is recommending the following proposed changes to the TASFAA By-laws. If you have any comments or concerns, please feel free to share them with the TASFAA Board, the Nominations Committee and your fellow TASFAA colleagues. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TASFAA BY-LAWS February 20, 2002 By-Laws # 4 Nominations and Elections
Section 5. Current: Additional nominations may be made from the floor by the voting membership at the annual meeting prior to the balloting. Proposed: Delete Rationale: Voting will be concluded prior to the annual meeting; therefore, nominations from the floor will no longer be possible. The time normally allowed for solicitation of nominations is sufficient for the membership to nominate qualified individuals to serve in the elected board positions. Section 7. Current: Voting shall be by ballot or standing vote at the annual meeting. The candidate for President Elect receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. The five (5) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected to the Board. A one-year vacancy on the Board will be filled by the person receiving the sixth (6th) highest number of votes. If there is a tie vote, a run-off election will be held prior to the close of the annual meeting. Proposed: Voting shall be by mail, e-mail, or online ballot. Ballots must be received by the Nominations and Elections Committee no later than 15 days prior to the annual meeting. The candidate for President Elect receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. The five- (5) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected to the Board. A one-year vacancy on the Board will be filled by the person receiving the sixth (6th) highest number of votes. If there is a tie vote, a run-off election will be held before the annual meeting. Rationale: This change allows for electronic voting as well as leaving the opportunity for mail ballots. Section 9. Current: If voting by mail, the voting representative must request a mail or e-mail ballot from the Chairperson of the Nominations Committee. The mail ballot must be returned to the Chairperson of the Nominations Committee at least five (5) days prior to the start of the fall annual meeting. The mail ballot must be placed in a plain envelope with the name of the voting representative on the outside and designated as a mail ballot. The chairperson of the Nominations Committee shall open the ballots in the presence of the Nominations Committee at the same time of counting the ballots at the fall meeting. Proposed: If voting by mail, the mail ballot must be received by the published deadline. Mail ballots will be counted by the Nominations Committee prior to the fall meeting. Rationale: In the case that electronic voting was unavailable; this process allows for and describes the process for the use of a mail ballot. Because this process would be used for the entire membership, there is no need for an individual to request a ballot. Also, having the entire membership vote prior to the conference eliminates the need for an absentee ballot. Sections 1 - 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11 would remain as they are currently written. If these changes are approved, Section 5 would be deleted and the remaining sections would be renumbered in sequence.
|
|
