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General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches |
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Elections for the GA Executive Committee It may seem to some that it's only been a short time since the first election to the new governing body of the GA took place. The term of the eight people elected lasts three years, and that period will conclude in April 2009. It is therefore necessary for fresh elections to take place this year to vote in eight people to a new Executive Committee. The GA Constitution requires that an Electoral Panel be set up conduct the election. This has been done and Andrew Hill, Peter Hewis and I have been appointed as its members. The Panel's decisions are final which the EC will not control or over rule. We hope the three of us are sufficiently known amongst Unitarians that they can be satisfied as to our independence. Decisions on the way the election will be conducted have been made which were outlined at an open meeting at the Hatfield GA. The first Electoral Panel had a difficult task in 2005 in conducting an election for members of an entirely new body amongst Unitarians who had no recent experience of balloting. They did a good job and the new Panel has learnt from what they did and also what they believe best to do in changed times. The Panel wants to let Unitarians know what will happen in the coming months and we expect to make further reports in the denominational press, by the GA email list and on GA website, during the process. What follows is a summary of what will be the EC election process in 2008. The nomination procedure will commence in mid to late September and it's hoped that the results will be declared before Christmas. As last time an organisation experienced in conducting elections has been appointed to conduct the ballot; it will be Popularis Ltd of De Montfort Mews, Leicester who conducted the poll last year for the Deputy Prime Minister. They will run the whole thing and nobody outside their organisation will see the completed ballot papers. Nominations of people wishing to stand will be submitted, starting in September, to Popularis who will supply the necessary documentation. Each individual nomination will need to be supported by a congregation, district association or recognised denominational body like the NUF. When it comes to voting there will this time be no central register and, apart from full and associate members of the GA, quota paying members will vote on ballot papers received via their congregation. Each congregation will be sent, either to their secretary or other nominated person, a number of blank voting papers, profile booklets and envelopes. The number received by the congregation will equal the number of quota paying members in that congregation in the last financial year. The secretary will give a set of voting papers to each quota payer who, when they have completed the numbered ballot form in private, will post it to Popularis. The secretary will play no further role after this but to confirm to Popularis that they have distributed the papers. The detailed timetable for the election will be published in advance so that individual quota paying Unitarians can ensure that they receive a voting paper from their congregation. Obviously checks will be made by Popularis to reduce the risk of double voting. However each voting Unitarian will be asked to confirm that, by sending in the voting paper, they are not voting twice. Perhaps it is not a full proof system but as the consultant Colin Fisher pointed out a few years ago we need to trust each other to a greater extent than we have in the past if we are to make advances. Following the consultation at the Hatfield GA decisions will be made on some of the detail like the system of voting to be adopted. The Panel's overall aim is to conduct an election that is seen to be open and fair and most importantly to involve as many Unitarians as possible, not only in the nomination arrangements but also in voting for what we all hope will be a range of strong candidates for this important body. Perhaps we should state now that the election will be for eight places, and it will not be concerned with the length of time that those elected will serve in office: this will be addressed by others at a later date. Alan Ruston Chair, Electoral Panel. |
INTRODUCTORY BOOKLET: |
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The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, |
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