Change to Constitution

[Guest Sue Hall]

Our Organisation currently only allows for Nominations Forms to posted. (Snail Mail)

What could be a suitable wording change to the Constitution which would move us into the 21st Century and allow by Forms to be received by Post, E-Mail or Fax?

[hmtcastle]

What could be a suitable wording change to the Constitution which would move us into the 21st Century and allow by Forms to be received by Post, E-Mail or Fax?

I'm afraid you'll have to figure that one out for yourselves. You can hire a local (or online) parliamentarian, or just identify the members in your organization who know how to craft a clear, concise, and logical sentence. Just be careful what you wish for and don't forget the law of unintended consequences.

If you really want to streamline things, eliminate nomination forms altogether.

[Guest Sue Hall]

I'm afraid you'll have to figure that one out for yourselves. You can hire a local (or online) parliamentarian, or just identify the members in your organization who know how to craft a clear, concise, and logical sentence. Just be careful what you wish for and don't forget the law of unintended consequences.

If you really want to streamline things, eliminate nomination forms altogether.

Unintended consequences???? Please explain?

Eliminate Nomination Forms? Please also explain how then to propose/get persons onto the governing body?

[hmtcastle]

Eliminate Nomination Forms? Please also explain how then to propose/get persons onto the governing body?

The usual procedure for nominations is for a member to rise, be recognized by the chair, and say, "I nominate Jim Smith for President". No form. No fax. No e-mail. No postage stamp.

[Guest Sue Hall]

The usual procedure for nominations is for a member to rise, be recognized by the chair, and say, "I nominate Jim Smith for President". No form. No fax. No e-mail. No postage stamp.

I am talking about a large organisation which only meets once a year for AGM. Branches meet throughout the year but are part of the bigger picture and governed by the main body - hence the need for Forms prior to the AGM.

[Josh Martin]

What could be a suitable wording change to the Constitution which would move us into the 21st Century and allow by Forms to be received by Post, E-Mail or Fax?

Discussing potential amendments to an organization's Constitution is beyond the scope of this forum.

[David A Foulkes]

Discussing potential amendments to an organization's Constitution is beyond the scope of this forum.

But not at this forum: http://bylawsandsuch.lefora.com/

[Tim Wynn]

The usual procedure for nominations is for a member to rise, be recognized by the chair, and say, "I nominate Jim Smith for President". No form. No fax. No e-mail. No postage stamp.

When the chair calls for nominations, they can be offered without obtaining the floor.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

Our Organisation currently only allows for Nominations Forms to posted. (Snail Mail)

What could be a suitable wording change to the Constitution which would move us into the 21st Century and allow by Forms to be received by Post, E-Mail or Fax?

The best way to word the rule so as to NOT leave out a new technology (e.g., tweeted? texted?) is to use the word 'any' or the phrase 'any means', or just leave out the mode completely.

E.g., if your present rule were to say, "X shall be mailed to Y," strike the word "mail" and insert a generic phrase.

• "X shall be forwarded to Y."

• "X shall be sent, by any electronic means, to Y."

• "X shall be delivered to Y by mail or by any electronic mode."

• "Y is responsible for collecting nominations from [party], whether mailed or otherwise."

[tctheatc]

Discussing potential amendments to an organization's Constitution is beyond the scope of this forum.

Furthermore, Sue, consider why you'd want to do this. Last year I ran for a national office in our union. The person who nominated me had to send the nomination in by certified mail. I had to do the same with the acceptance. There are obvious reasons for this that are likely helpful for your organization, too.

Convenience has its price.

I could foresee you being on this forum in a few years asking if RONR addresses what to do when a texted nomination didn't get received and the person objects to the name not being on the ballot, or something like that. Sure, it may be a relatively cumbersome process, but perhaps the importance of the office the person's nominated for deserves that?