Board of Directors/Election Process

{|cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" align="center" style="width:100%; border:2px #000000 solid; text-align:center;" |<center><big><big>'''[[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]]'''</big></big></center> |} The '''election process''' to determine the members of the [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] is established in the [[Constitution]] of [[Organization of Gamers & Roleplaying Enthusiasts|O.G.R.E.s]]. The election cycle is structured so as to take up the least amount of time from [[member]]s and to allow for any member to campaign. __NOEDITSECTION__

Election Year Time line at a Glance

<center> {| border="1" |- ! colspan="2" | Timeframe |- ! Beginning  !! Ending !! Election Event !! Responsible Members |- | January 1st || March 1st 12:00AM || Election supervisors chosen and campaigning venue created || Incumbent [[Board of Directors Portal|Board Members]] |- | March 1st || May 31st 11:59 PM || Hopeful candidates make their statement of intent to run || Members running for election to the Board |- | June 1st || July 31st 11:59 PM || Candidates may campaign || Members running for election to the Board |- | July 1st || July 31st 11:59 PM || Membership votes on candidates || All members |- | August 1st || August 31st 11:59 PM || As soon as votes are tallied, the winners will be announced || Election Supervisors |- | October 1st || October 31st 11:59 PM || Winning candidates campaign and vote for which of them becomes the new [[Director]] || Incoming Board Members |- | November 1st || November 30th 11:59 PM || The outgoing Board will be made aware of the incoming Director || Incoming Board Members |- | December 1st || December 31st 11:59 PM || Incoming Board members exchange material and are briefed by outgoing board members || Incoming and Outgoing Board Members |- | January 1st || 3 Calendar Years || Incoming Board takes office || Incoming Board Members |} </center>

Understanding the Board

Terms of Office

To understand the election cycle, a member must understand the terms of office and how exact [[officer]] positions are filled. Some details are mentioned here, but '''every member wishing to run for the board should read the [[Membership Handbook]] and have a working grasp of the organization's structure and constitution.''' Every member of the [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] sits for three calendar years unless otherwise removed ''(whether voluntary or involuntary)''. This term begins on the first of January the calendar year immediately following an election, and lasts until December 31st of the third full calendar year of officership. For example, if a [[member]] is elected to the board during an election in 2009, that member takes office on January 1st, 2010 and retains the position until December 31st, 2012.

Specific Positions

Any [[member]] may, and is actually encouraged, to campaign on a platform for a specific position which they feel qualified for. The only positions of the [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] that can not be campaigned for are related to that of [[Director]], a position which is chosen by the incoming board members from amongst themselves. The director will then have the full privilege and authority to select from the incoming board their [[Vice Director]].

The following positions may be campaigned for. Not all positions are necessarily filled at all times.: *Chairperson of any of the active [[Committees]] *[[Director of Communications]] *[[Editor-in-Chief]] *[[Inquisitor]] *[[Supreme Game Master]] *[[Treasurer]] *[[Webmaster]]

Election Process

Prior to Election

Before the election process begins, the current [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] will begin preparing for the supervision of the upcoming election cycle. If the incumbent [[Director of Communications]] and [[Supreme Dungeon Master]] are not planning to run for reelection, they are by default given the task of supervising the election process; a process that includes creating the public forum or place, typically online, where members may cast votes and candidates may announce and promote their running and answer questions from members ''(much of which can be done right here on [[OgreLair.org]])''. In the event that one (or both) of these individuals are running, the Board will vote two others into this role who are not affiliated with the election.

The supervisors of the election must create a place for candidates to announce their intent. This place, most likely a page here on [[OgreLair.org]], will be sent to all [[Chapter Coordinator]]s and other appropriate member venues so as to be ready for hopeful candidates. This must be done no later than March 1st of the election year, so will typically happen at the 1st quarterly [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] meeting in said year.

Candidate Nominations

As established in the [[Constitution]], any hopeful candidate for the board may nominate him/herself or can be nominated by another member in good standing. In order to meet the simple requirements for the board, they must have been in good standing for at least two calendar years (need not be consecutive) and be at least 18 years of age - though certain positions on the board due have higher age restrictions. The nominator will place a ''statement of intent'' on the candidate announcement location created by the election supervisors, and if the nominator is not the same person as the candidate, then the candidate must accept. If a specific position is being aimed for, this should be stated clearly there. Once this is done, the [[member]] is considered an official candidate for the [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]], and will be added to the official ballot.

This is done between March 1st and May 31st at 11:59 PM. The candidate may make a ''statement of intent'', but may not yet campaign. Campaigning early may result in disqualification from the election by the incumbent [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]]. For clarification, a statement of intent may only include the following: a simple declaration verbally or online to other members that you intend to run for the board with no other commentary; inclusion on the Declared Candidates page on OgreLair.org; or a line item presented to the incumbent Board of Directors for reading during the May quarterly board meeting.

Campaigning

Beginning on June 1st, and lasting until the end of the day on August 31st, established candidates may officially campaign for the election. This means they may talk to members about their plans if elected, goals, and other general election items.

Voting

From July 1st until the end of the month, all active members may cast their votes for the election. Each member receives '''ten (10)''' votes. These votes may be made in writing to their respective [[Chapter Coordinator]], who can then electronically forward the information to the election supervisors, or online at [[OgreLair.org]]. These votes must go to different candidates, but a member need not cast all ten allotted votes. For example, a member may not cast all ten votes for the same candidate but must spread them between [up to] ten different candidates.

After Election

Winning the Election

The winners are the ten members with the most votes, which are announced by the election supervisors as soon as the tallying is completed - but no later than the end of August. If a member was campaigning for a specific position, and no other candidate was, he or she automatically wins that role as well. If two or more members were campaigning for a specific position, the candidate with the most general votes wins the title.

Winners vote for new Director

During the month of October, any winning candidate may campaign to other winning candidates to become the incoming [[Director]] ''(additionally, any unfilled positions may also be campaigned within the incoming board at this time)''. In order for a potential Director to be considered an official runner for the title, that person must have the backing of at least one other Board member. The incoming Board must discuss the best time to hold the final vote before the end of the month, and the votes must be sent to the election supervisor no later than October 31st.

In the case of ties, the current [[Board of Directors Portal|Board of Directors]] may elect to hold a run-off for the title of [[Director]] with the [[Primary Officers]] voting. If all else fails, the incumbent and outgoing Board of Directors, minus any members who will remain on the board as a result of the election, will make the final decision and are expected to choose the best candidate for the position.

Board Turnover

During the month of December, incoming board members are expected to get with the current holder of their title and exchange any pertinent material, as well as to be briefed and debriefed on the roles and responsibilities of the job.

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