Proposed Bylaws change

[jallard]

Article 1. Elected Officers
Section 1. The Governing body of Capital District Marine Aquarist Society shall consist of 5 Council Members.
A. Council member-Treasurer
B. Council member-Webmaster
C. Council member-Secretary
D. Council member-Membership Chairman
E. Council member-Donation Chairman

The change would be:
B. Council member-Webmaster to Council Member-Events and PR

Mainly because webmaster is a skill not everyone has and it might make it hard to fill the position. The webmaster dueties could be a job designated to a willing person by the council.

Article 3. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 5- Elections shall be held by secret ballot at the November monthly meeting. Council members shall be elected by a majority vote of members present.

I would suggest adding an absentee option for members.

What are your thoughts?

 

[ChrisBuono]

That all sounds fine to me, but isn't November our Hudson Valley - Capital District combined meeting?

Should we be conducting such business during a mixed social event?

I don't think I really mind, but we all may be distracted by the big event.

Thoughts?

 

[jallard]

unfortunatly the election was in the works before the joint meet. I think we can just vote off to the side and we can just announce the 2 new council members at the end. Next year will be different

 

[upstatedave]

I believe there should the option for an absentee ballot..I also agree with the change in wording about the webmaster position too...good thoughts Joe....Can this be brought to an online vote before the November meeting?...or an email vote...?

 

[Lakeside518]

Absentee ballot is a great idea. Members schedules can be conflicting from month to month. Also agree Webmaster is a skill many may not have.

 

[jallard]

maybe the absentee ballot should be mailed via the post office after the october meeting but must be in hand unopened by the November election day meeting. Late absentee ballots won't be counted.

Sound ok?

 

[ChrisBuono]

Makes sense to me.

 

[upstatedave]

that sounds fair to me.....

 

[Rainer Feyer]

I agree with above,

Rainer

p.s.: why can't voting be conducted via poll option here on RC? I also think the combined meeting in November will be 'time consuming' enough and to vote will then be done in haste?

Just a thought,

Rainer

 

[jallard]

Soo how about an online ballot on the cdmas website like the one we used for the membership form which could be sent via e-mail. Is it that important to be an anonymous vote? At the moment we only have 2 ppl for two positions

 

[ChrisBuono]

Would you remind me of what two positions are open?

Also, regardless of which option we use for voting, shouldn't those 'running' have an opportunity to share their vision before any vote occurs?

 

[jallard]

if we change the bylaws... it would be
Council Member- Membership Chairman
Council Member- Events and Public Relations

 

[TA]

Whats to prevent anyone outside of CDMAS from casting an "online ballot"?

Can it be set up to allow only active CDMAS members to vote and vote only once?

 

[jallard]

if its not an anonymous vote

 

[scorp1on]

Definately like the idea of an absentee ballot. Also think with our current members that if it is not an anonymous vote there would be no hard feelings

 

[plandy]

It would be so much easier and uncomplicated if it was made "accountable vote" just the opposite of anonymous. Everyone can simply cast their vote by email. There would be no doubts, suspicions or cheating. Best of all votes can be all tallied up by the next upcoming meeting leaving more time for other activities.

 

[jallard]

Well Originally I felt and still do feel that voting for council is important enough for ppl to show up in person and cast a vote. That would be easy....not convienent for all but if a member wanted there vote to count they should just go to the meeting.

 

[scorp1on]

Granted Joe. Just was thnking depending how late in NOV the elections are each year due to holidays being very close and the weather here in NE could be tough

 

[plandy]

"Well Originally I felt and still do feel that voting for council is important enough for ppl to show up in person and cast a vote. That would be easy....not convienent for all but if a member wanted there vote to count they should just go to the meeting."

Joe,

Right, but if you were to consider some sort of "absentee" provision for the election then a remote election mechanism will be necessary. Otherwise, as you suggested only the votes tallied at the meeting will count.

 

[Dave ESPI]

We should get LOU, and discuss this at DiCarlos...........

:bum: