Jean Armour Polly wrote:
Hi, I didn't vote in this election and I haven't been on any conference calls in a long time. I wasn't even sure I *could* vote. I'd still consider myself affiliated, but imagine NARALO wants someone to be an active member in order to count a ballot, and I have not been that in a while. If I wanted to vote next time, what is the standard of activity needed? Thanks! :-) Hi Jean,
First of all, you certainly are a valued member of NARALO. While we'd love to see you participate in more calls, you have already been more active than some ALSs that were also entitled to vote. Danny Younger wrote,
The vote results don't appear to be recording the fact that "unaffiliated" NARALO members have cast votes. I don't see my name in the tally of voters that cast a vote, nor do I see Wendy Seltzer or other unaffilated members such as Jean Polly listed. An explanation is warranted.
Hi Danny, I take full responsibility for the process of counting your intentions in the last two NARALO votes, regarding ALAC appointments to the Nominating Committee and Board Liaison position. In the NARALO rules of procedure, our unaffiliated members - collectively - have the same voting rights as one ALS. In these most recent votes I selected Beau to "represent" the unaffiliated members of NARALO, and had hoped that he would caucus with them and determine his vote based on that feedback. Through a miscommunication, there was no caucus; however, it is my understanding that Beau heard from a number of unaffiliated members and that his vote did reflect the intent of the majority of the feedback he received. Moving forward, there has been much to learn about this process; in our two-plus years of operation, we have accomplished most of our decisions through consensus, and this is the first time that we have used a formal voting mechanism such as BigPulse. I consider it fortunate that have have been able to test our process on a pair of non-binding polls, and that we can use this experience to fine-tune the process for when it will be used in a binding fashion. At our next conference call we will discuss what worked and what didn't. Based on my observations I will be recommending the following process for future formal votes: ------ - In advance of the voting period, Staff will announce the names of all unaffiliated members eligible to participate (just as the list of ALSs is announced). This list, collectively, will be the Unaffiliated Member Caucus (UMC) and have the same voting rights as a NARALO ALS. - Anyone who is not on the announce list who is a NARALO participant is welcome to add their name at that time - At that time, the NARALO Chair will designate a representative for the UMC; that person will cast the vote(s) on its behalf. If there is substantial opposition to this selection by unaffiliated members, the Chair will designate an alternate. based on UMC advice. - Staff will send an email to all listed members, indicating the name and contact information for the UMC representative - The UMC should determine the best way to choose its voting preferences -- through private mail, mailing lists, teleconference or other means. The UMC representative must make an effort to solicit the intent of each unaffiliated member, and cast his/her vote according to the advice received. - The UMC representative should cast his/her vote(s) until near the end of the voting period, as to allow for the maximum time for members to indicate their voting intentions. - If the UMC representative is unable to cast a vote (due to emergency, illness, etc), the UMB will designate an alternate. - The vote election not be closed until the UMC's vote is cast. If necessary, the voting period will be extended to allow the UMC representative to vote. - After the vote is held, the UMC representative will report to staff a list of members who participated in the UMC for that vote. ------ I hope this is seen as a starting point that others are welcome to refine (or discard!). This will be on the agenda of the next NARALO meeting. - Evan