THOUGHTS ON THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Donna Oswald
and expenditures, and even the
conduct suitable for the election. This has been evident by the
questions that have been asked during the Q&A at recent membership
meetings. The board has stated that they will issue the procedures &
name the election commission for the coming election “very soon”. It
is very important that, even if not “required,” that we do all
possible to ensure a fair, open, and trusted process. There are
approximately 2 dozen members currently working on an update of our
bylaws to make them more consistent with the Illinois Not For Profit
Act. One topic that has been discussed at length is the procedure for
holding an election. While the bylaws update will not be available to
be presented to the membership before the next Saints Board elections,
I thought it worthwhile to share some of our thoughts.
What should YOU expect in this year’s election of five board members?
Although I do not propose to speak for all of the groups, the
following is my take on goals that have been discussed at length:
1. The Board, and particularly anyone who’s term is expiring and may
run for election, should be completely out of the election process.
2. Each appointment of individuals to the Commission has unanimous
agreement of the Board.
3. The Commission should conduct all aspects of the election from the
receipt of letters of intent to seek office, through the certification
of the candidates nominations, including the policies regarding the
nature, length and required information for candidate statements and
the dissemination of those statements, and provide for a candidates
forum at a general membership meeting for the purpose of making a
statement and answering questions.
4. The commission should determine and publish the rules governing the
election process.
5. The commission should attempt to reduce the effect of ‘name
recognition’ which is not synonymous with qualifications or positive
past performance, so that all candidates can be exposed to the
membership and fairly considered by members.
6. The commission should invite the candidates or their proxy to
(silently) observe the validation of the ballots and the counting of
the votes.
7. The members of the commission should certify in writing that the
processes as determined have been followed and document the outcome
(votes per candidate and naming of newly elected directors) as a
matter of permanent corporate record.