🚀 go-pugleaf

Policy Statement of MICHAEL TUKE

for position of RETURNING OFFICER
(I have also nominated for ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER. If elected as
ARO rather than RO, my ability to act on this statement would be
constrained by the policies and commitments of the RO)

AUUG experience:
1988 - 1991:	Treasurer (3 terms)
		This period saw strong financial growth in AUUG Inc,
		allowing for the current expenditure on Secretariat,
		Publicity, Chapters, etc
1991 - 1992:	Ordinary Committee Member

WHY AM RUNNING:
I have been heavily involved with AUUG for 4 years, but now wish to
scale down my involvement, at least away from formal participation on
the Management Committee.  I would like to spend more time working for
AUUG in Melbourne (which will no doubt see people asking me to be
involved in AUUG Summer 93 Melbourne!).
I have also been concerned that our electoral procedures are less than
rigourous, with elections rarely being held on time, with ad hoc
procedures, etc.

WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU:
The procedures for AUUG Inc elections are not formally defined, with
much power residing in the Management Committee to determine how
elections are run.  As a result, the elections are run purely by
convention, with the Returning Officer using the same procedure as he
did last year, with very little involvement from the Committee.  The
wish of the Committee that incumbents NOT be marked on the ballot
paper has never made it into practice.

1)  I will propose changes to the Constitution to specify how elections
    will be held.  To this end, I will present a draft procedure to the
    AGM at AUUG92 for discussion.  This will also be circulated in
    aus.auug, and time permitting in AUUGN.  By committing to present
    it at the AGM, I have set a time limit.

    Following discussion, I will seek legal advice to ensure the
    changes are legally sound, after which they will be the subject of
    a membership ballot to change the constitution.  I intend that this
    will be done in time for the 1993 elections.

2)  I undertake to ensure that all activities I perform are in
    accordance with the Constitution, and that Constitutional
    requirements regarding ballots and elections are met to the letter.
    This includes calling for nominations by the required date, sending
    out ballots promptly, and reporting elections results within two
    weeks as required by the constitution.

    I will ensure that Committee members are not surprised by a ballot
    containing additional names to those known at the close of
    nominations as has happened this year.

3)  I will liaise with the Committee regularly regarding my
    activities, and seek their advice and guidance.  In 4 years on the
    Committee, I have never seen a report from the Returning Officer at
    a Committee meeting.  This will change.

4)  Ballots will NOT indicate who incumbent officebearers are (unless
    the Management Committee so directs, or the constitutional changes
    so direct as a result of the membership indicating this to be their
    desire).

    Each ballot will come with two envelopes: an inner envelope for the
    voter to sign, and an outer envelope for mailing the ballot back to
    AUUG, as is the normal practice for postal ballots.  Provided
    AUUG's reply paid facility remains in place, this outer envelope
    will be Reply Paid.


At a time when AUUG Inc is working to improve its professionalism and
attractiveness to members, the need for properly run elections is
paramount.
-- 
Michael Tuke			Phone:	(03) 869-5364	My opinions, not
Information Technology Dept.	FAX:	(03) 869-5110	my employer's.
ANL Ltd				ACSNET:	mjt@anl.oz		OK?
432 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004.