ACM SIG Governing Board SIG Election Models Mark

ACM SIG Governing Board SIG Election Models Mark Scott Johnson 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models

Presentation Outline n n n n Background Prevailing Model Alternative Models Terms of Office Bottom Line Acknowledgements Q&A 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 2

Background n n SIGs leaders for many years have reported some difficulty in recruiting candidates for SIG elections. The SGB EC has been reluctant to grant exceptions to ACM/SIG policies on elections. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 3

Background n (cont. ) With the return to a Single SIG Designation (2003/09/20), all non -transitional SIGs are now required to have elected leaders. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 4

Prevailing Model n One or more “titled” positions n n At least two candidates for each position n at-large EC positions n n At least n+1 candidates Top n vote-getting candidates are elected 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 5

Alternative Models n n n Voting Alternatives within existing Multi-Candidates Model Election-by-Slate Model Single-Candidate Model Chair-Elect Model Chair + Board Model Elected Nominating Committee 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 6

Voting Alternatives n Plurality n n n (current ACM default method): Vote one candidate per position. Candidate with most votes wins, even if not a majority. Approval: n n Vote zero or more candidates per position. Candidate with most votes wins and usually has the majority, too. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 7

Voting Alternatives n (cont. ) Preferential: n n Each voter ranks all candidates 1 (highest) thru n (lowest). Candidate with highest tally wins. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 8

Election by Slate n Slate of candidates of sufficient size to fill all positions: n n n Slate designates positions a priori. Slate decides positions among themselves after election. Generally, at least two slates are nominated. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 9

Election by Slate n n n (cont. ) Overlapping slates may be allowed. “Short slates” may be allowed to appoint remaining positions. “Long slates” may be allowed to play musical chairs (i. e. , some elected candidates don’t actually serve). 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 10

Single Candidate n n A la most USA Judge Elections. May want minimum vote-return requirement. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 11

Chair-Elect n n Nominate at least two candidates for Chair-Elect position. Chair-Elect automatically becomes Chair at next election. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 12

Chair + Board n n n Nominate at least two candidates for Chair position. Nominate n+1 candidates for all other positions. Winners decide among themselves who holds any titled positions (other than Chair). 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 13

Elected Nom. Comm. n Elect (rather than appoint) your Nominating Committee. n n Smaller commitment may make it easier to get sufficient qualified candidates. Nominating Committee may put forth a single slate or some single-candidate elections for up/down vote. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 14

Terms of Office n n Terms of office may be of variable length, but must be specified in the SIG’s bylaws. That is, not all positions need to stand election at the same time. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 15

Bottom Line n n The Model SIG Bylaws are just a “serving suggestion”. Your SIG can hold elections pretty much anyway it desires, provided you amend your bylaws appropriately. 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 16

Acknowledgements n n Pat Ryan, ACM COO Donna Baglio, ACM Director of SIG Services 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 17

Q&A 2004/03/21 ACM SIG Election Models 18