<html><body>Meg: Really how can you be so obtruse. Interest and commitment to run for election does not to ccur until the month preceding the election. If you don't understand this , you are totally out of touch with the used-to-be membership. That'a<br />two, three , four, five thousand dollars worth of attention. --beth bosk <br /><br /><blockquote><br />----- Original Message -----<br /><div style="width:500px;background:rgb(228,228,228);"><div style="font-weight:bold;">From:</div> "Dennis OBrien" <dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com></div><br /><div style="font-weight:bold;">To:</div>"kzyxtalk@lists.mcnorg" <kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org><br /><div style="font-weight:bold;">Cc:</div><br /><div style="font-weight:bold;">Sent:</div>Sat, 12 Sep 2015 13:01:21 -0700<br /><div style="font-weight:bold;">Subject:</div>Re: [Kzyxtalk] Proposed Changes to KZYX&Z Policies and Procedures for Board Elections<br /><br /><br />
Thank you very much for responding to the proposal for changes to the elections policies. Here are some answers to your questions.<br /><br />
I have identified three purposes served by the changes: 1) increase the total number of members; 2) increase member participation in the election process; and 3) increase communication with and among the members and the public. Each of the proposed changes serves at least one of these purposes, but not necessarily all. Thus, when you observe that not all of the changes would increase membership, that is true. But those that don't either increase participation or improve communication.<br /><br />
"I do have a question about #1 The Deadline to Become a Member Eligible to Vote. It is not clear to me how that would make a difference?"<br /><br />
Under the current policy, the deadline to become a member eligible to vote in the next election is December 31. That is two full months from the date the membership rolls are certified and sent to the vendor who mails the ballots. There is no rational reason for requiring two months for a job that modern technology allows us to do in seconds.<br /><br />
Extending the deadline would likely increase the total number of members because of the increased interest in the election. Candidates must declare by January 31. People are more likely to join when they know they will be able to vote for a candidate they support. Indeed, the candidates themselves will become very motivated recruiters. The annual membership mailing in January can highlight the upcoming election. All of this will not only increase the total membership, but also the diversity of membership.<br /><br />
Extending the deadline also is likely to increase membership participation in the election process. Last election, less than 25% of eligible members voted, even though each of them was mailed a ballot. That is lower than even the worst public elections. Conversely, those joining during a campaign are more likely to vote, and more likely to discuss the issues with other members and encourage them to vote.<br /><br />
You also ask "with the exception of #2 the Simple Living Membership, I do not see how these items would increase membership? Please advise."<br /><br />
I have explained above how #1 does so by tapping into the enthusiasm of the campaign season. #4, the interactive internet discussion list, and #5, sharing candidate contact information, would also have a ripple effect of increasing memberships by encouraging open communication. The other changes would have a "halo" effect of increasing memberships by increasing the public's faith in the integrity of the election process.<br /><br />
All of the above is just about the first purpose, to increase membership. The second purpose, increasing member participation in election, is likewise generally promoted by all of the changes. It is specifically promoted by #5 (proper notice of election) and #7 (procedures for replacement ballots).<br /><br />
The third purpose, improving communication, is specifically served by #3 (sharing candidate contact information) and #4 (interactive internet list). #6 supports the integrity of communications when using station resources.<br /><br />
Hopefully this explains how each of the proposed changes serves at least one purpose that is honored by our organization. If there is anyone who does not want to increase total membership, or increase participation in the election, or improve communication with and among members and the public, then they should step forward and explain their positions now. But if you agree with the purposes, then you should also agree that the proposed changes are very reasonable and will be of great benefit to the organization, its members, and the public.<br /><br />
Please make sure that this information gets to all members of the Elections Committee, and that you place the proposal on the agenda for a decision at the November board meeting. Please also consider appointing me to the Elections Committee so that I can help refine and implement the proposal.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
Dennis O'Brien<br />
Member<br /><br /><br />
From: Meg Courtney<br />
To: <a href="mailto:dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com">dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com</a> <br />
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2015 11:40 PM<br />
Subject: Re: Proposed Changes to KZYX&Z Policies and Procedures for Board Elections<br /><br />
Hello Dennis,<br /><br />
Though you emailed a request to speak earlier at this evening's board meeting we did not see you there so I am responding now to your email below. <br />
I was elected at said meeting as Board President because Stuart Campbell was approved to transition to Interim GM and therefore will no longer be on the board. Jane Futcher will be VP and Bob Page will be Secretary. I believe it is one of the president's duties to be election coordinator and I would share that job with Jane. <br /><br />
Because your ideas involve changing Policies & Procedures I would need to consult other members of the board. <br />
I do have a question about #1The Deadline to Become a Member Eligible to Vote. It is not clear to me how that would make a difference? Also, with the exception of #2 the Simple Living Membership, I do not see how these items would increase membership? Please advise.<br /><br />
Thank you,<br />
Meg Courtney<br /><br /><br />
On Sep 4, 2015, at 10:53 AM, <dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com> <dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com> wrote:<br /><br />
To the Board of Directors of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting (KYX&Z):<br /><br />
Please consider the following proposed changes to the KYX&Z Policies and Procedures for Board Elections. The changes have three purposes: 1) to increase the total number of members; 2) to increase member participation in the election process; and 3) to increase communication with and amongst the members and the public.<br /><br />
The Board must appoint a new Election Coordinator by September 30. The Coordinator will begin the election process no later than November 30. Thus it is time for the Board to act. Please instruct the Election Committee to consider these proposed changes, with a final vote by the full Board during your meeting the first week of November.<br /><br />
These proposals are not vague policy pronouncements that are impractical to implement. They are precisely worded amendments to the Policies and Procedures, common sense solutions to recurring problems. Their adoption will benefit the organization, its members, and the public, and will guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.<br /><br />
Thank you very much for your consideration. Please contact me if you have any questions.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
Dennis O'Brien<br />
Member<br /><br />
Proposed Changes to KZYX&Z Policies and Procedures for Board Elections<br /><br />
1. Extend the deadline for becoming a member eligible to vote from December 31 to February 28, the date the Election Monitor certifies the eligible voter list. (Note: although February 28 is the certification date given on the chart, the wording in the Policy itself says February 20.)<br /><br />
Amend Section IV, Paragraph 6, to begin "February 28 is the deadline to become a member eligible to vote in that year's election. On February 28, the MCPB Election Monitor certifies . . ."<br /><br />
2. Publicly announce the availability of simple living and volunteer memberships during the election period, e.g., the winter membership pledge drive and the January mailing to the members.<br /><br />
Amend Section IV, Paragraph 2, by inserting "Membership requirements, including simple living rate and volunteer option" in the first section and "included in membership mailings" in second section.<br /><br />
3. Ask candidates for their email addresses and permission to disclose to any media or other person/group seeking to contact them<br /><br />
Amend Section IV, Paragraph 3, by adding "Requests from each candidate their email address or other contact information along with permission to disclose to any media or other person/group seeking to contact them." Amend Candidate Application to request the information/consent.<br /><br />
4. Either establish an interactive internet discussion service on the kzyx.org website, or announce the availability of member-established services, e.g., KZYXTalk.<br /><br />
Amend Section IV, Paragraph 2, by adding "Availability of interactive internet discussion services established by either the organization or its members" to the first section.<br /><br />
5. Notify the membership in writing of the annual membership meeting, the final step in the process, when they are sent their ballots.<br /><br />
Amend Section IV, Paragraph 7, by adding "along with an announcement of the annual membership meeting" at the end of the first sentence.<br /><br />
6. Prohibit the use of organizational resources, including internal email lists, for campaigning for or against any candidate for the board of directors.<br /><br />
Amend Section IV by adding: "14. Use of the organization's resources, including internal email lists, to campaign for or against any candidate is prohibited. Exceptions: 1) the candidates' official statements; 2) an interactive internet discussion service that can be accessed the public<br /><br />
7. Establish written procedures for controlling ballots and providing replacement ballots to those members who did not receive one.<br /><br />
8. Amend the Chart of election procedures (Section III) to reflect the above changes.<br /><br /><br /><br />
_______________________________________________<br />
Kzyxtalk mailing list<br /><a href="mailto:Kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org">Kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org</a> <br /><a href="http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk">http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk</a><br /></blockquote></body></html>