PNB Elections Comm. report for PNB

[Bill Crosier]

Below is the report I wrote for next week's in-person PNB meeting.  It will go to all of the PNB in hard copy form.  It's short, but most of the details people will be interested in should be in the NES report. 

I hope this is OK with all of you -- please let me know if there are any corrections.

thanks-

Bill

Report of the PNB Elections Committee

to the Pacifica National Board

September 22, 2010

In the last few months, the Elections Committee has been primarily involved with reviewing progress at each station for this year's LSB/delegate elections, helping (as individuals) the Local Election Supervisors (LESs), and developing recommendations for improving the Pacifica elections process.

Members of the committee have also been sending suggestions to the National Election Supervisor (NES).  She has requested that all recommendations and problem reports (not just from committee members) be sent to her (as well as to applicable LESs), with as many specifics as possible so she can take appropriate action as needed.  There is a form on the pacificaelections2010.org web site for this purpose and everyone is encouraged to use it.

The committee passed one motion at its September 14 meeting and asked that it be sent to the PNB:

Extend the election to 45 days from the date of the mailing of the booklet.

The committee chair is directed to forward a copy of this motion to the NES, ED and PNB by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 with a request that the NES advise the Elections Committee of any actions related to and/or based upon this motion.

Passed 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention

We are looking forward to continuing to work with the NES and LESs to improve Pacifica's election process this year and hopefully to reduce costs as well.

Bill Crosier
Chair, PNB Elections Committee

-- 

Bill Crosier
kp...@crosierbiomed.com      713-641-4941
Support KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston   http://kpft.org
Progressive Action Alliance     http://progressiveactionalliance.org

[Ken]

I think the following is more accurate:

 

In the last few months, the Elections Committee has been primarily involved in attempting to correct the abortive effect of minimal carts being played during the recruitment period, the refusal of the NES to extend the period of membership qualification and the failure of the NES and ED to mail candidate booklets along with the ballots.  All of these errors having led to lower than expected participation in the election as reflected in fewer candidates and low attendance at public forums and the anticipated requirement to extend the election at all stations (except KPFA) to meet the 10% required quorum, the committee most recently passed the following motion at the September 14 meeting:

Extend the election to 45 days from the date of the mailing of the booklet.

The committee chair is directed to forward a copy of this motion to the NES, ED and PNB by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 with a request that the NES advise the Elections Committee of any actions related to and/or based upon this motion.

Passed 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention

Ken Aaron

 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNB Elections Committee" group.
To post to this group, send email to pnb_el...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to pnb_election...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pnb_elections?hl=en.

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3153 - Release Date: 09/22/10 11:40:00

[Carolyn Birden]

Bill, I don't know anyone who has received a copy of the candidate booklet for WBAI, and would like to see some information about when it was mailed, from where it was mailed, and who was responsible for the mailing (to my station).

This is very distressing:  I was against the 45 day extension, but now believe it is a necessity, as people who do not know anything about the candidates  will be encouraged to vote blindly by slates.  Just the result some people wanted, I'm afraid.

Where can we get copies in bulk to distribute to friends, members of the attendees at candidate forums (such as the one tomorrow night in New Jersey), and people who ask us directly?

Carolyn

--

[Carolyn Birden]

You not only miss the point, you don't understand enough about how people vote and how to market an issue.  Every extra step I require for you to vote, for me or anyone else, results in a loss of votes: people put the ballot aside, forget to take it to the library, the library is closed, their mentor for everything except basic email is not around, the ballot gets lost - there is a steep drop in voter participation when the process gets complicated.

And then there are the legal issues:  the bylaws are quite clear, and unambiguous.  As a candidate, I am entitled to have my written statement sent to the voters WITH the ballot.  How simple is that?

It's not rocket science, but it is marketing science, and you ignore it at your peril. You must know an awful lot of rabid listeners with nothing better to do than spend half a day chasing down a computer they don't know how to use very well so they can vote for a station they don't listen to a whole lot anymore.  I don't know anyone like that here, and it is disingenuous to say that voting will not be depressed by the failure to send out ballots.  I think the cost of a two-week extension for stations that don't meet quorum, plus any lawsuits by candidates who feel aggrieved, should come out of the NES's pay, as it was a terrible decision.

Carolyn

Carolyn,

 

Let them know that they can go online to get this same information. If they don't have a computer they can go to the library or possibly a state unemployment office if they have

free computers and printers,as they do in Texas. It's too easy for people to go online

at no charge for us to continue to pretend that the www is unreachable for most people.

 

Melinda Iley-Dohn

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin Historical Review of Pennsylvania 1759
 

 

 

 

 

--- On Thu, 9/23/10, Carolyn Birden <cmc...@earthlink.net> wrote:

[Melinda Iley-Dohn]

Carolyn,   I think that at this stage of our foundation's history we do not have the luxury to market in this manner. We are being dragged down wtih well intentioned excess. I feel that we actually know fully well what we now face. The issue at hand is how to utilize the limited resources of the Pacifica network to it's best advantage.   The past excessive ways have led us to the status quo. This is why I voted as I did with the committee. I did so as measure of fiduciary protection. We are all interested in good marketing. At this time we need to be as mindful of our finances.   Regards,

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

I agree with Ken.

Shawn

[Melinda Iley-Dohn]

Have the members of this group considered the fact that the LESs signed contracts with a specified end date. I would imagine that they have probably already made comittments for employment elsewhere after the end of the specified date. This alone could leave us understaffed for our elections.

Melinda Iley-Dohn Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin Historical Review of Pennsylvania 1759

--- On Thu, 9/23/10, Shawn Casey O'Brien <iris...@verizon.net> wrote:

Bill Crosier http://us.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kp...@crosierbiomed.com      713-641-4941 Support KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston   http://kpft.org/ Progressive Action Alliance     http://progressiveactionalliance.org/

--  You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNB Elections Committee" group.

To post to this group, send email to http://us.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pnb_el...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to http://us.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pnb_election...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pnb_elections?hl=en. No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com/

Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3153 - Release Date: 09/22/10 11:40:00 --  You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNB Elections Committee" group.

To post to this group, send email to http://us.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pnb_el...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to http://us.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pnb_election...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pnb_elections?hl=en.

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

Thanks Carolyn.  Although the truth of the situation, as well as common (electoral) sense, I'm afraid, is not highly valued by those self-rightous few who put us in this situation.

Shawn

Members of the committee have also been sending suggestions to the National Election Supervisor (NES).  She has requested that all recommendations and problem reports (not just from committee members) be sent to her (as well as to applicable LESs), with as many specifics as possible so she can take appropriate action as needed.  There is a form on thepacificaelections2010.org web site for this purpose and everyone is encouraged to use it.

The committee passed one motion at its September 14 meeting and asked that it be sent to the PNB:

Extend the election to 45 days from the date of the mailing of the booklet.

The committee chair is directed to forward a copy of this motion to the NES, ED and PNB by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 with a request that the NES advise the Elections Committee of any actions related to and/or based upon this motion.

Passed 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention

We are looking forward to continuing to work with the NES and LESs to improve Pacifica's election process this year and hopefully to reduce costs as well.

Bill Crosier
Chair, PNB Elections Committee

--

Bill Crosier
kp...@crosierbiomed.com      713-641-4941
Support KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston   http://kpft.org
Progressive Action Alliance     http://progressiveactionalliance.org

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNB Elections Committee" group.
To post to this group, send email to pnb_el...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to pnb_election...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pnb_elections?hl=en.

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

I guess we also don't have the "luxury" of running fair, competent and accurate elections.   As to the "past excesses that led us to the status quo," I would contend that it was our poorly crafted by-laws and far too many expensive elections that have led us to the current status quo.

Shawn

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

More poorly crafted contracts to sink us with.  Anyone familiar with elections -- particularly at Pacifica -- should have known to include a clause dealing with extensions and "end dates" -- to say nothing of having this issue brought up during the alleged vetting process.

Shawn

[Melinda Iley-Dohn]

No. They are temporary contractors. They have the right to know the specifics of the terms of their employment. We signed and we must honor the terms. This is how business is conducted.

[Ken]

Melinda

 

Did you see the contracts?  I didn't. 

 

At a certain point in time one has to recognize when a mistake has been made; that is the beginning of correction.  Let's try and get through the elections, at all the stations. Let's refrain from trying to re-write history.  I can't imagine an NES wouldn't know that Pacifica elections frequently have to be extended and therefore have provided for that contingency.  Contracts with sub contractors are usually task driven, not time driven. A painter paints until the house is painted.   There may be bonuses or penalties based on the timeliness of completion, but the contract is to complete the task.   The by bylaws specifically state:  "Upon the completion of, and certification of the results for, the elections s/he supervised, each local elections supervisor’s term shall end."   The position is task driven, not time driven.   Please re-read the bylaws Article Four, Section 4, paragraph b.  

 

The key objective in an election is to enfranchise the the electorate and then to fulfill the will of the electorate as expressed in the votes.  Consideration for the candidates or election officials is far junior to that.  To invert these priorities will always lead to a flawed election.   That's not in the bylaws, it's just my observation having done some work in the elections area.  Election officials are often demeaning of voters and requiring more work from the voters to compensate for failures in the voting system. 

 

The election is under the direct control of the NES and the ED.  The NES appoints the LESs with the approval of the ED.  Please re-read the bylaws.  If the election is not going right the first place to go for a remedy is the LESs, the NES and the ED.  Obviously it's a difficult job and diligence is required in selection of the NES and the LESs.   If you want to change the bylaws and you have good ideas about a better system of governance, please let us know.  But until such are passed as amendments or resolutions we are bound by the bylaws and resolutions we have.

 

Let's stop all this chit chat and try to reach quorum, honestly.  Those stations that need to will have to outreach, as they have in the past, in a manner that is a fair appeal to all the publics that listen.  

 

Thanks 

Ken Aaron

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.856 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3154 - Release Date: 09/22/10 23:34:00

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

You've conveniently missed the point.  

Shawn

[Melinda Iley-Dohn]

No Shawn, I have a very valid point. I spoke with our LES to see what her reaction would be to this proposed motion. Based on our conversation I am glad that I voted against it. We do not operate in a vaccum. We are a business with written promises to our contractors. We can't sign them on for temp assignments with definate specified end dates and expect them to just drop any other prospective opportunities that they may have signed to take after this job. These are real considerations.

[Melinda Iley-Dohn]

Ken, Let's get real here. It's time for the PNB to wake up and quit spending money we don't have. If they chose to extend the deadline, it should only because there is a lack of quorum. A forty five day extension is a ridicules avoidable expense. I can think of a lot better use of these funds.I have years of experience in elections. I am very familiar with the process. This is not an extension that we can afford and given the bad job market we should not force these contractors to lose the opportunity to go on to permanent jobs I, for one, would rather see Brian DeShazor given the money to preserve the Pacifrica Archives if we do happen to have the money to do so. I would like to see us actually pay our bills. I would like to see us pay our auditors who worked hard to show us how we can bring ourselves into solvency. We do NOT operate in Fantasyland. We HAVE to get real. We have to realize that this is a real business entity that can go out of business if we don't adhere to a stronger fiscal policy. This is the time where we need to remind ourselves that failure is not an option here.

Melinda Iley-Dohn Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin Historical Review of Pennsylvania 1759

--- On Thu, 9/23/10, Ken <kena...@ca.rr.com> wrote:

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

Go back and read Ken Aaron's full response to you.  You really need a dose of reality.  Most independent contractors have contracts that are based on completing the job -- not "end dates".  What's in the water you people drink down there in Texas?  

S.O'B.

[Shawn Casey O'Brien]

Only too happy to get real.   

A much better use of our money would have been to postpone these elections until we got competent people in place who actually know how to run elections.  I too, have years of experience in elections and, truthfully, it seems to me that you are far more concerned with the well being of the election "officials" than the well being of our elections -- always a sign of electioneering in my book.

As for my friend Brain D., I would rather have ONE election every three years and give him (and are hard working staffs) the $300,000 we would save, to pay our bills, expand programing, and, oh yes, pay staff.  

Ask Mr. DeShazor if he doesn't agree with me, will you? 

I would also contend that it is you, Melinda, that operates in fantasy land,  as it is one too many elections and incompetent, compromised election officials that is leading us into ruin.  All because of poorly crafted bylaws that, if I remember correctly, you had a hand in.

Get real? Really? If only you could.

S.O'B.