Dear Colleagues: For all the times we spend on elections talk, it appears some of us are still not familiar with the LACRALO Rules of Procedure (RoP). For a good grounding and even if you are not familiar with Robert's Rules of Order, it is really very helpful if you familiarize yourself with the UN Rules upon which LACRALO RoP were patterned. And it is irritating, especially when one is subjected to long harangues about democracy from some members. A common understanding of the meaning of 'consensus' is also elusive. I have seen acclamations of Jose Arce as Chair. Hold the celebrations for awhile, not yet. First, in LACRALO, every procedural decision MUST enjoy a quorum. These are achieved in two ways in LACRALO. #1 - By decision of the group, LACRALO has established 8 ALS from anywhere in LACRALO present on our teleconferences as a quorate meeting. This means that for a LACRALO assembly by teleconference, every binding procedural decision can be decided on a *simple majority vote* or by *acclamation*, so long as eight voting members from eight different ALS are present and voting. #2 - For online motions, a time to achieve quorum must be set by the Secretariat. When a simple majority of certified LACRALO ALS indicate their position BEFORE the period expires, that meeting is quorate. Any procedural decision taken by a simple majority of these ALS is thus binding. For LACRALO that is now 19 ALS. Elections are one of a few enumerated matters that are substantive and require a formal vote. Unless, of course, it is agreed to suspend this. I have asked for a consensus candidate. This is a procedural question. To make the answer to this procedural question a binding decision, a *simple majority* of ALS present in a *quorate* *meeting* MUST so indicate by voting or by acclamation. If we agree on a consensus candidate, this means the usual electoral process and machinery is suspended. This means we WILL NOT have weighted voting. This means the electoral process is significantly reduced. Notwithstanding all of the above, any single ALS can invoke privilege and request a vote on the substantive question, meaning demand an election with the full process and machinery, including weighted votes in play. And the Secretariat is duty bound to accede to this request. Carlton Samuels ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* =============================