CMG-San Diego

Election Basics

What/Why:

San Diego operates its Local Events Committee (LEC) using a two-level approach to allow for both wide input and focused implementation:

1. We welcome input and volunteering from all members about 3-4 times per year at our general Committee Meetings.  Anyone who chooses to attend and be involved becomes part of the General Committee for that meeting.  We are happy to have some men who are very regular General Committee attendees and some who come more rarely.  First-timers are always welcome!
    
2. Generally, five men form the Steering Committee, voting on event opportunities and specifics for events between Committee Meetings.  On rare occasion, the Steering Committee could hold a meeting, but usually email suffices for discussion and voting purposes.  Majority rule carries, but whenever possible, we try to hear from all five before moving forward, in case good points might be made by those responding fourth and fifth that might change the process before proceeding.

The Roles:

The following four roles must be covered within the Steering committee:

1. Chairman
2. Treasurer
3. Board Representative
4. Secretary

These roles may be covered by anywhere from 2-4 men.  The only roles that should not be held by the same man are Chairman and Treasurer, unless no one is willing to do the Treasurer role, in which case the Chairman could step in until someone can be found.

Elections work as follows:

1. A chairman is elected.  If only one person runs, this man is chairman.  If a vote is needed, the process of gradual elimination will be used, meaning that if three or more are running, then the man with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and then we vote again.  This eliminates the possibility of two men with a similar concerns splitting the votes.   The man elected holds the first position on the Steering Committee.
2. A treasurer is elected.  The process is run exactly like the chairman if two or more men want the job.  The man elected holds the first position on the Steering Committee.
3. Nominations for the position of Board Representative are taken.  Either of the first two men may run for this position because there is no conflict of interest.  If the chairman or treasurer takes this position, there are still three Member-at- Large positions open.  If a third man is elected, he now holds the third position on the Steering Committee and two Member-at-Large positions are open.
4. Nominations for the open Member-At-Large positions are taken.  If needed, gradual elimination elections are held until the five seats are filled.
5. Among the five men, a Secretary is chosen.  This role could rotate over time as it is not critical that it be the same man; the statewide board just wants to be sure that SOMEONE is going to get them the minutes after each meeting.

There is currently no term limit on serving in a leadership role in CMG-SD.  This means that the whole committee could turn over, a few men could be replaced, or the entire committee could serve into the new year.  Elections can be held anytime between January and March for terms lasting from April 1 to the following March 31.

Who can run and how to nominate yourself:

Anyone who lives within 90 miles of downtown San Diego may run, even if they are not qualified to vote at that time.  As a person must be eager to be involved and do the jobs involved, the nomination of others is discouraged and we invite men instead to step up and nominate themselves if they would like to serve. 

While anyone could announce intentions to run at the meeting, it is appreciated to know in advance who would like to run for a position by sending an email to the current committee representative.

The person running need not be at the election meeting if he has notified the current chair in advance of his intention to run.  He may also send a brief statement to be read to attendees.

Who can vote:

The only required qualifications for voting are:

1. Having attended at least one CMG-SD committee meeting in the last three years.
2. Residence within 90 miles of downtown San Diego.
3. Current steering committee members may cast an absentee ballot; all others must attend in order to vote.  This is another advantage to email to the current committee representative in advance so we know all the names of candidates.

Role Responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Chairman: 

The required qualifications for this role are:

1. Being a CMG-SD member (which only requires that you are on our mailing list)
2. Having attended at least one Gathering
3. Having attended at least one previous CMG-SD committee meeting in the last three years.
4. a)  Having ever served on either a Gathering Planning Committee OR
   b)  Having participated on Local Events Committee for one year  (defined as attending the majority of meetings in that previous year OR being on the steering committee for that long)
5. Residence within 90 miles of downtown San Diego.

Treasurer:

The required qualifications for this role are:

1. Being a CMG-SD member (which only requires that you are on our mailing list)
2. Having attended at least one previous CMG-SD committee meeting in the last three years.
3. Residence within 90 miles of downtown San Diego.

Board Rep:

The required qualifications for this role are:

1. Being a CMG-SD member (which only requires that you are on our mailing list)
2. Having attended at least one Gathering
3. Having attended at least one previous CMG-SD committee meeting in the last three years.
4. Residence within 90 miles of downtown San Diego.

Member-At-Large:

The required qualifications for this role are:

1. Being a CMG-SD member (which only requires that you are on our mailing list)
2. Having attended at least one local event of CMG-SD
3. Having attended at least one previous CMG-SD committee meeting in the last three years.
4. Residence within 90 miles of downtown San Diego.