Proposal: Updates to USIHC Constitution Article IV - Voting and Elections
The USIHC Board of Directors proposed an update to the USIHC Constitution Article IV - Voting and Elections to make the BOD election process more efficient and better align the timeline with our digital ballot system. These proposed changes aim to improve the process while maintaining transparency and accessibility for all members. The proposal will be voted on by the membership during the 2025 USIHC Annual Meeting on February 22, 2025.
Summary of proposed changes:
- Adjusting the election committee appointment date to September 1.
- Revising deadlines for ballot preparation and voting, including:
- Overseeing the electronic collection of responses and tabulation of votes cast until November 7.
- Announcing election results by November 15.
- Electing Board Officers at a special meeting in December rather than January.
Proposed Changes to the Constitution
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Text and dates under consideration for revision are highlighted in bold for reference. Article IV - Voting and Elections Section 1: Only adult members of record as of two weeks before the notice of election are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Voting for elections will be accomplished by secret ballot. Ballots will be provided with instructions subsequent to the Notice of Election. All issues at a General Meeting will be voted upon by the members in attendance at the Meeting. Section 2: The President of the USIHC shall appoint the members of an election committee no later than June 15th. The committee shall have no less than three members and no more than seven, all of whom shall be members in good standing with the USIHC. Members of the Board of Directors and candidates for election, as well as members of their immediate family, may not serve on the election committee. The election committee shall: (a) Select its own chairperson. (b) Notify the membership of elections by September 1st. (c) Accept nominations until October 1st. (d) Oversee the preparation of an anonymous, electronic ballot to be delivered to the membership by October 15th. (e) Oversee the electronic collection of responses and tabulation of votes cast until December 1st. (f) Announce election results by December 15th. New Directors shall take office on January 1st, following the election. Officers of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Board of Directors at their first meeting in January. Section 3: If by October 1st there are three or fewer nominations, the nominees shall be considered accepted by the Membership and there will be no need to prepare ballots for an election. The nominees shall take office on January 1st. |
Proposed changes marked in red Article IV - Voting and Elections Section 1: Only adult members of record as of two weeks before the notice of election are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Voting for elections will be accomplished by secret ballot. Ballots will be provided with instructions subsequent to the Notice of Election. All issues at a General Meeting will be voted upon by the members in attendance at the Meeting. Section 2: The President of the USIHC shall appoint the members of an election committee no later than September 1st. The committee shall have no less than three members and no more than seven, all of whom shall be members in good standing with the USIHC. Members of the Board of Directors and candidates for election, as well as members of their immediate family, may not serve on the election committee. The election committee shall: (a) Select its own chairperson. (b) Notify the membership of elections by September 1st. (c) Accept nominations until October 1st. (d) Oversee the preparation of an anonymous, electronic ballot to be delivered to the membership by October 15th. (e) Oversee the electronic collection of responses and tabulation of votes cast until November 7th. (f) Announce election results by November 15th. New Directors shall take office on January 1st, following the election. Officers of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Board of Directors at a special meeting in December. Section 3: If by October 1st there are three or fewer nominations, the nominees shall be considered accepted by the Membership and there will be no need to prepare ballots for an election. The nominees shall take office on January 1st. |
