Election to the GA Executive Committee 2010
Election Results
Popularis Ltd
I confirm I have received nominations for the following candidates:
No |
Forename |
Surname |
Nominated by |
1 |
John Christopher |
Clifford |
Aberdeen Unitarian Congregation |
2 |
Alison |
Thursfield |
Oxford and MUA |
3 |
Rev'd Martin Norman |
Whitell |
John Pounds Memorial Unitarian Church, Portsmouth |
The number of candidates (3) does not exceed the number of vacancies (4), and an election is not therefore required.
The Electoral Panel agreed that the three candidates above are therefore deemed ELECTED UNOPPOSED to the Executive Committee.
There is therefore one vacancy remaining for a member of the Executive Committee.
Certified by:
Anne Hock
Managing Director
Popularis Ltd
21st October 2010
Election Supervision
Popularis Ltd, Independent Election Supervisor, 6 De Montfort Mews, Leicester LE1 7EU, Tel: 0116 254 2259, Fax: 0116 254 2258, Email: annehock@popularis.org have again been chosen to run the election.
Time-table
20 September Nominations open (4 weeks for nominations)
18 October Nominations close
1 November Ballot papers sent out
8 November Election starts (5 weeks voting period)
13 December Election closes
18 December Results
Vacancies
There are four vacancies. Two elected members, Lis Dyson-Jones and Dot Hewerdine, are standing down after two terms in office and there are two co-opted members, Martin Whitell and Alison Thursfield serving, making up the four vacancies.
Nominations
Nominations to serve on the Executive Committee (EC) are sought from Full, Honorary and Associate members of the GA and quota paying members of constituent congregations.
The skills and knowledge required are in the areas of:
- Leadership
- Strategy development
- Communications
- Decision making
- Representation
- Financial awareness
- Team working
Confidentiality, where necessary, about EC business is a general requirement.
In addition candidates should:
- Demonstrate 3 years active commitment to the Unitarian community
- Be in sympathy with the Objects of the GA
They should not be:
- A student in training for the Unitarian ministry
- A close family member of anyone employed by the GA
- Connected professionally with Popularis
Those who wish to nominate themselves for election are asked to contact Popularis (see above for details) on or after 20 September 2010 . Popularis will send, by post or email the appropriate documents. Nomination sheets must be countersigned by an official of a Unitarian congregation or organisation supporting the nomination and confirming that the candidate fulfils the criteria above. Forms should be returned to Popularis by
18 October.
If there are four or fewer members nominated they will be deemed to be elected unopposed.
The names, backgrounds, personal statement and a recent photograph of those nominated will be published on Uni-news, the GA website and in the Unitarian press. They will also be published in the Candidate Information Booklet to be sent to voters.
Voting
The Candidate Information Booklet and ballot papers will be sent out to Full and Honorary members and to secretaries of all congregations during the week commencing 1 November. Associate members will receive a letter inviting them to request an individual voting paper from Popularis, if they are not voting receiving one from a congregation.
The election starts the week commencing 8 November and closes on
13 December.
Results will be published on Uni-news, the GA website and in the Unitarian press as soon as possible after this date.
Role of Congregational Secretaries
Secretaries of congregations are crucial in ensuring that all those members of their congregation who are entitled to vote receive information in good time to cast their vote. Secretaries should ensure that all such members receive:
- A voting paper
- A Candidate Information Booklet
- A prepaid envelope to return voting papers to Popularis.
The Electoral Panel is relying on secretaries to encourage all eligible members to vote in this most important election. Two years ago 1756 valid ballots were received. Let's make it 2000 plus this time.
Voting System
After careful consideration and particularly bearing in mind the comparatively small number of voting members, the Electoral Panel have decided to change the voting system. This time the total number of votes to be cast by each voting member will equal the number of vacancies - four (4). Four votes for four vacancies. This ensures that each vote is counted and the result is clear and transparent.