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CSM Executive Committee Elections 2010
Call for nominations and Elections Timetable
Click here for Nomination Form.
The executive committee plays a vital governance role, setting strategy and helping to develop the movement. The officers are responsible for ensuring plans are implementing and for the effective day to day running of CSM, overseeing the work of the CSM Director.
The first executive committee elections since 2007 are to take place, and this notice calls for nominations for the following positions:
Vice Chair (one)SecretaryTreasurerPolitical Communications Officer (Publications Officer)Normal Executive Committee Members (two)National Regional Representatives (NRR) for the following regions:
• North West
• South East
• South West
• Wales
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire & the Humber
Nominations must be sent in writing to the appointed returning officer for the election, Helen Dennis, via the CSM office no later than noon on Wednesday 27 January 2010. Nominations may be sent using the nomination form below either by e-mail to: Helen@thecsm.org.uk, or by post to Helen Dennis, The CSM, PO Box 65108, London, SW1P 9PQ. If sending an e-mail please use ‘Nomination for Executive Committee Elections’ in the subject line. If sending a nomination in the post, please endorse this on the front of the envelope.
Only fully paid up members of the CSM may seek nomination, and nominations must be supported by two members – one proposing and one seconding – to be valid. Members may self-nominate.
Where more than one valid nomination has been received for a position, the returning officer will announce an election for that position. All members will then be sent ballot papers for all contested positions in the post along with information about the candidates. The election timetable is very tight and you will need to ensure that you return your completed ballot paper to the returning officer by return post to ensure your vote is counted. Results will be published on the CSM website.
The full election timetable is as follows:
Closing date for nominations 27 January 2010
Election declared for contested positions, and candidates elected unopposed declared, and RO requests election statements from candidates All no later than 3 February
Closing date for receipt of election statements from candidates No later than 10 February
Publication of election statements booklet & ballot papers No later than 17 February
Closing date for receipt of ballot papers Noon on 3 March
Count 3 March
Result declared 4 March
According to the constitutional arrangements agreed by the members in 2006, the executive committee is now elected by halves in each election rather than through all out elections as was the case prior to 2007. The next elections are due to take place in 2012 and the term of office for each position is five years, after which each position must be available for re-election. The role of the 'Publications Officer' has changed over time and at the AGM the officers, with the endorsement of the National Executive Committee, will recommend that the office be re-titled as 'Political Communications Officer'. Please bear this in mind in making your nominations.
The CSM Election Rules agreed by the Executive Committee are set out below.
If you would like further information on what is involved with being an officer or executive committee member of the CSM, please contact the CSM Director, Andy Flanagan, at the CSM Office. Andy can be e-mailed at: andy@thecsm.org.uk.
David Canning (CSM Secretary)
Rules for the conduct of the elections agreed by the CSM Executive Committee on 24 October 2009
1. Valid nominations
Valid nominations are those -
1.1.2 received for a candidate who is permitted to stand as a candidate under the provisions of paragraph 8(a) and 8(b) of the CSM Constitution.
1.1.3 received by the published closing date for nominations.
1.1.4 nominated in accordance with the procedure set out in or with the most recent communication with members published by the CSM
1.2 The Returning Officer (RO) will declare valid nominations. If any nominations are deemed invalid, the RO will provide reasons in writing to the nominee.
1.3 Nominees whose nominations are declared invalid may appeal in writing to the RO within 7 days of receipt of the RO's declaration. The RO will ensure independent scrutiny of the appeal, the outcome of which will be communicated to the RO and nominee within 7 days.
1.4 Any nominee shall be entitled to withdraw from the election up to the date set for the receipt of election statements. Otherwise, nominees will be assumed to be candidates and their names published on the ballot form.
2 Declaration of election and timetable
2.1 For all posts where more valid nominations have been received that there are positions available, a ballot will be held.
2.2 For any post where the number of valid nominations received does not exceed the number of posts available, the RO will normally declare that candidate(s) elected unopposed.
2.3 The RO will conduct the ballot for contested posts according to the timetable agreed by the Executive Committee.
3 Election communications
3.1 Candidates will be invited to submit an election statement and passport sized portrait photograph of themselves (preferably in electronic form) by the date fixed according to the published timetable.
3.2 The length of election statements will be determined by the RO.
3.3 Candidates should not by themselves or by encouraging any other person permit publication of any election communications to promote their candidature other than the official book of election statements published by the CSM.
3.4 Candidates should not address meetings of members during the election period about their candidature unless all other candidates standing for the position in question have been invited and formal hustings held.
3.5 For candidates standing for more than one post, only one election statement may be used.
3.6 Candidates must not in their election statement or in any other way disparage other candidates or allow or cause other members to publish or otherwise transmit disparaging remarks about other candidates in any form of communication.
3.7 CSM may refuse to publish an election statement (or any part of it) if in the opinion of the RO it contains language of a libellous or offensive nature, disparages another candidate, or in the opinion of the RO is likely to place CSM at risk of legal action.
3.8 In the event of a decision to refuse to publish an election address (in whole or in part) the RO will advise the relevant candidate of his/her decision within 2 days of receipt of the election address.
3.9 No appeal will be allowed against the RO's decision.
4 Complaints
4.1 Any complaints alleging a breach of these rules must be made in writing to the RO who will investigate the complaint and may recommend either
4.1.1 That no action be taken.
4.1.2 Suspend the election for a particular post pending further inquiries.
4.1.3 Disqualify a candidate (or candidates) from the election in question.
4.2 The RO's ruling will be communicated to the affected candidates.
4.3 A candidate may appeal against the RO's ruling. The RO will ensure independent scrutiny of the appeal.
5 Administering the ballot.
5.1 The RO will determine those members eligible to vote in the ballot.
5.2 All members duly identified will receive an individual, postal communication containing a ballot form and a copy of the statements provided by the candidates.
5.3 All ballot forms will be marked with an authenticating mark. Any ballot form returned without such an authenticating mark shall be deemed invalid.
5.4 Ballot forms should be returned individually, in a sealed envelope marked ‘ballot form’, to the CSM office no later than the date published in the timetable.
5.5 They shall remain unopened until the day appointed for the counting of the ballots.
6 Counting ballots and publication of results
6.1 The RO will supervise the counting of ballot papers at such place as s/he may determine on a date and time according the published timetable.
6.2 Candidates may attend to observe the count but may not take part in the validation or counting of ballot papers.
6.3 Any queries or spoilt papers will be decided by the RO.
6.4 The RO may discuss queries or spoilt papers with the candidates, but the RO’s adjudication will be final.
6.5 The result(s) will be declared to all candidates and then published to the membership at the AGM and in the next edition of the Common Good.
7 Election statements
The length of election statements will be as follows:
• For Officers: 250 Words
• For EC members: (NRRs & General) 150 words
Helen Dennis
Returning Officer
23 November 2009
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Dave Canning, CSM Secretary, 10/12/2009 |
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