There has been mention of the low vote turnout in the last election on this forum and in the BODs last phone meeting. Malcolm Zander thought it may have been due to the placement of the ballot in the journal as you had to either take the journal apart or rip the ballot apart. I'm sure some wanted to do neither and left the ballot in and did not vote because of it. It has been stated by a few in the know (past BOD members) that 10% is about typical for member voting. This year it is hard to get a percentage for the voting because of the way the auditing firm presented the numbers (this should be cleared up soon). Suffice it to say it appears to be a very low vote total. The challenge has been raised by Ron Sardo as to what my feelings are on how to raise member voting. Let me be truthful, I really have no idea (but I will give you some). I'm hoping that those reading this may have some great ideas. Without knowing what the BOD may have done (or not done) in the past presents a challenge as to the feasibility of any ideas that may be brought forth here, but lets try anyway.
There have been three different ways in which elections have been carried out in the past, paper ballot only, electronic voting only, and a combination of the two. There are numbers (I don't have them) which show that having the combination option of either voting by paper ballot or electronically had the best member voting percentage (I amy be wrong). This would be my first choice, (perhaps my only) make this the standard for all future elections. I know there will be a few who say electronic voting is the future and they may be right but we still have many members who are not in that future yet so paper is still needed for their participation.
Get out the vote campaign? I believe the AAW already does a good job of promoting the elections and how and where to do it. They have articles and information to read in the journal and on the AAW forum. How much more or what could be done differently to attract more voters? Every year in national and local voting you hear about getting out the vote. Do any of these campaigns really work? I don't think busing will be a viable option. If they do work what are their secrets to success? Does anyone have a answer as I do not.
Incentives? How about giving away a lathe (or something else) to a lucky voter or voters? While I'm sure this would raise the number of voters would they be voters who really care about the AAW or would they be sending in a vote as a entry form to receive a prize. I feel this would be the case. The members who vote now actually care about the AAW and how it is to be governed. I confess that I was one who never voted in the past. I really didn't see how voting for one BOD member over another could possibly make a difference. I'm sure many members have this view, how can this be changed? I've heard it be said that the only reason some people are members is for the journal only and they really don't care about anything else, how can this be changed (or can it)? I have since changed my view as I see it does make a huge difference.
Penalties? While I kind of like this idea (I want the cat of nine tails) I know it will not work. If anyone has ideas on this please espouse them here.
So you see I didn't have many good ideas, but perhaps some of you do. The combination voting seems to be the best way for all members to vote so this is my top pick. Now the rest of you try and come up with something that will get the membership involved. Keep those cards and letters coming folks! (especially Ron)
There have been three different ways in which elections have been carried out in the past, paper ballot only, electronic voting only, and a combination of the two. There are numbers (I don't have them) which show that having the combination option of either voting by paper ballot or electronically had the best member voting percentage (I amy be wrong). This would be my first choice, (perhaps my only) make this the standard for all future elections. I know there will be a few who say electronic voting is the future and they may be right but we still have many members who are not in that future yet so paper is still needed for their participation.
Get out the vote campaign? I believe the AAW already does a good job of promoting the elections and how and where to do it. They have articles and information to read in the journal and on the AAW forum. How much more or what could be done differently to attract more voters? Every year in national and local voting you hear about getting out the vote. Do any of these campaigns really work? I don't think busing will be a viable option. If they do work what are their secrets to success? Does anyone have a answer as I do not.
Incentives? How about giving away a lathe (or something else) to a lucky voter or voters? While I'm sure this would raise the number of voters would they be voters who really care about the AAW or would they be sending in a vote as a entry form to receive a prize. I feel this would be the case. The members who vote now actually care about the AAW and how it is to be governed. I confess that I was one who never voted in the past. I really didn't see how voting for one BOD member over another could possibly make a difference. I'm sure many members have this view, how can this be changed? I've heard it be said that the only reason some people are members is for the journal only and they really don't care about anything else, how can this be changed (or can it)? I have since changed my view as I see it does make a huge difference.
Penalties? While I kind of like this idea (I want the cat of nine tails) I know it will not work. If anyone has ideas on this please espouse them here.
So you see I didn't have many good ideas, but perhaps some of you do. The combination voting seems to be the best way for all members to vote so this is my top pick. Now the rest of you try and come up with something that will get the membership involved. Keep those cards and letters coming folks! (especially Ron)