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Last updated: 03/01/99
NASA POLICY FOR ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Why have a CEO Policy?
Chief Electoral Officer (as amended at June 24, 1997 AGM)
Nomination and Acceptance
Election Ballots
1997 Election Guidelines
The following Policy regulates NASA Executive Officers election procedures, establishes the position of Chief Election Officer, and provides directions for the Officer to report back and present proposals to the membership on related election campaign issues:
1. CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
a) For the purpose of running the elections of voting officers of the Executive, NASA will select, at its October General Meeting, a Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
b) The CEO shall be responsible for calling the election and conducting it in accordance with the Association's by-laws and any policies adopted by the membership.
c) To carry out responsibilities of the position, the CEO may appoint an Election Committee to assist him/her. Members of the committee shall be empowered by the CEO to act on his/her behalf.
d) The term of office for the CEO shall normally be for one calendar year (until a new CEO is selected). In the event that the position of CEO is not filled by the membership, the Reps Council shall be required to fill that vacancy to complete the term of office under election procedures established by Council.
e) The CEO shall report directly to the AGM and is responsible to that body. The CEO shall chair that portion of the AGM concerning the election process. The CEO may also, in the course of her/his term, consider policies and procedures that may improve our election procedures and present such recommendations to the membership for approval.
f) The CEO cannot run for any elected Executive position while serving in office.
g) The CEO shall only be responsible for the regular, annual elections of the Officers of the Executive that are held in conjunction with the AGM. Elections to fill any other vacancies on the Executive, shall remain the responsibility of Reps' Council following NASA Bylaws. Council shall elect its own Officers according to those same Bylaws and recognized Council regulations. (added at the June 24 AGM)
2. NOMINATION AND ACCEPTANCE
a) Nominations for all voting Executive positions shall be made in writing. Any nomination shall be endorsed by at least 10 nominators.
b) Only members of the Association shall be allowed to act as nominators or be eligible to run for election.
c) The nomination period shall be open 45 days prior to the date set for the AGM, and shall end 30 days prior to the AGM, at which time all the nominations shall be forwarded to the CEO.
d) The CEO shall verify the authenticity of the nominators and the eligibility of the Nominees.
e) In the event of more than more than one nomination for a position, the CEO, in consultation with the Executive, shall be responsible for organizing a candidate forum(s), to be held no later than 20 days after the nomination period has ended. Participation in forums by candidates shall be considered time off for union business. The CEO shall take steps to properly notify all the members of the Association as to the date, location and purpose of such forums, as well as the names of the candidates and positions they are contesting.
f) No nominations shall be accepted from the floor at the AGM.
3. ELECTION BALLOTS
a) Ballots shall be sent to all members of the Association 10 days prior to the date of the AGM. The Ballots shall consist of the position(s) being contested, the name of the candidates for each position, and a brief description of the voting procedure. In the same package, each candidate shall be entitled to provide no more than one 8x11 page of material concerning their candidacy for election.
b) If a position is filled by acclamation at the time of nominations deadline a ballot will be circulated to members that asks for approval of the candidate (yes/no).
c) Members shall return the ballots to NASA Office or cast them at the AGM. Ballots, once confirmed, as belonging to members authorized to vote shall be placed in sealed ballot boxes retained for the purpose of the election. Ballots received after the conclusion of the voting period shall not be valid.
d) Ballots shall be unsealed by the CEO with the assistance of NASA members selected by the AGM during the time frame allowed by the AGM Agenda. Each candidate for elected office shall be entitled to appoint two scrutineers to observe the balloting procedures.
e) The election shall be deemed closed on the date and time established for the AGM. If the AGM is postponed for lack of quorum or any other cause, the ballot boxes shall be placed in the care of the CEO until the AGM is reconvened.
4. 1997 ELECTION GUIDELINES
a) The CEO, upon his/her election, will be directed to prepare a policy for membership approval, on election campaigns and funding guidelines in time for the next elections.
