NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS POLICIES

NE-1        Nominations & Elections Committee
NE-2        Campaigning for National and Chapter Elected Positions
NE-3        Qualifications for National Board
NE-4        Formal Complaint Process for National/Chapter Elections
NE-5        Election Vote Count and Tie-Breaking Procedures
NE-6        Voting in National Elections
NE-7        Chapter Nominations and Elections Committee 

National Nominations & Elections Committee

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-1
Date of Origin: July 1989
Revised: February 1992; April 2008; October 2009; November 2010; March 2013
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers the procedures followed by the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee with regard to SGMP (National) elections.

POLICY

The (National) Nominations & Elections Committee is empowered to solicit candidates, establish criteria for evaluating candidates, accept, interview, evaluate and reject candidates for (National) office. Candidate criteria and job descriptions of (National) board members will be sent to interested candidates.

The (National) Nominations & Elections Committee is authorized to provide the names of all potential candidates, upon request from a candidate, after approval by the National Board.

The Nominations & Elections Committee will ensure all election policies are followed.

The Nominations & Elections Committee will verify professional certifications before a candidate’s name will be placed on the ballot.

The list of official candidates for the incoming National Board will not be announced until that list of candidates is ratified by the current National Board and all nominees are notified. Those National Board members seeking reelection cannot vote on the proposed slate of candidates.

All nominees for SGMP (National) office will be notified as soon as possible by telephone and/or in writing by the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee as soon as the official list of candidates has been approved. All official candidates will be notified ASAP by telephone and/or in writing as soon as the election results have been confirmed.

SGMP headquarters will arrange with a firm, independent of SGMP, to handle the implementation of the election (including the distribution and counting of ballots) in SGMP (National) elections.

Campaigning for National and Chapter Elected Positions

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-2
Date of Origin: July 1989
Revised: February 1992; March 2003; April 2008; January 2009; October 2009; November 2010; October 2011; March 2013; September 2013; December 2013
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers the rules pertaining to campaigning for chapter and/or national office. Any reference to “candidate” speaks to a candidate for national board of directors, Gilmer Institute of Learning trustees and chapter board of directors.

POLICY

(National) candidates may discuss in verbal or written communications among the membership that they are interested in seeking a National Board seat. However, candidates may neither distribute campaign material nor officially campaign to other chapters in monthly meetings or other official SGMP gatherings until the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee has officially notified them that they will be on the ballot and that the campaign period is open.

(National and Chapter) candidates may not speak negatively about other candidates. The emphasis should be on the qualifications and what the individual candidate will bring to the organization.

(National) candidate promotional materials may be distributed to any Chapter President for distribution at chapter meetings following the National Board approval of the official list of candidates and until the end of the campaign period in an election year. The actual dates to distribute (National) candidate information will be outlined in the (National) “Campaign Materials Guidelines” that are provided to the (National) candidates after the election ballot has been approved. As a matter of this policy, the dates outlined in the (National) “Campaign Materials Guideline” and nominations and elections timelines will be accepted as part of the official (National) policy each year.

• Each (National) candidate is responsible for assuring the information is delivered to meet the specific needs of each chapter meeting.
• Chapter Presidents are responsible for making sure that all (National) campaign materials sent to the chapter are made available to the chapter membership.

(National) campaign materials may also be mailed to individuals during this same time period if the candidate chooses to do so.

Individuals who are running for election are allowed to campaign by utilizing various forms of social media (i.e., Facebook. LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) up until the end date and time of the campaign period, as outlined in the guidelines/rules. Thereafter, individuals are prohibited from any form of campaigning so as not to unduly influence the voting membership. Any candidate found violating the campaign guidelines/rules will be disqualified and not allowed to run for election.

Campaign material sent by another SGMP or non-SGMP member on behalf of the candidate is prohibited. If the candidate running for election is unable to personally send their campaign materials, he/she must notify the national N&E chair and seek permission to have their materials sent by another SGMP or non-SGMP member. The use of official chapter logo on campaign material is allowed.

(National) candidates are not allowed to participate in or produce campaign video presentations in the SGMP nominations and elections process. Members are prohibited from making or producing these presentations on behalf of a (National) candidate.

Planners may not solicit any funds from any member in their professional capacity to assist in the cost of (National and Chapter) campaign materials.

(National and Chapter) candidates are encouraged not to spend a great deal of money for campaign purposes.

(National) candidates are to notify the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee chair of any planned chapter visit, specifically for the purpose of campaigning, prior to the visit. The (National) Nominations & Elections Chair will contact the assigned (National) committee member, who will notify the Chapter President of the visit. In addition, the (National) Nominations & Elections committee member will notify other candidates seeking election to the same position that this candidate will be visiting a chapter.

(National and Chapter) candidates cannot align with other candidates to form a slate of candidates who have agreed to run together.

It is understood that SGMP members will have preferences among national and/or chapter candidates and it is certainly acceptable that there will be discussions among members regarding nominations & elections issues and candidates. However, SGMP members are prohibited from publicly endorsing any one candidate or candidates (National and/or Chapter).

Chapter Presidents will display all (National) campaign material provided by candidates, if in accordance with SGMP’s “Campaign Materials Guidelines,” for chapter meetings held during the election timeframe.

Current National Board members seeking election are prohibited from using SGMP funds to travel to chapters during SGMP (National) elections, unless they are on pre-approved authorized business travel prior to completion of the nomination form deadline. Requests received for travel after the nomination form deadline must have approval of the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee Chair.

Chapter treasuries may not disburse any funds to support a particular (National) candidate other than to provide travel support for a pre-arranged training function.

Each official candidate running for a National Board position may receive a free voting member mailing list from SGMP Headquarters.

Candidates must adhere to stated campaign policies and maintain dignity and decorum. SGMP must not be placed in any situation that would reflect poorly on its reputation in the hospitality industry.

Unprofessional and/or unethical conduct during the nominations & elections period (National or Chapter) by any nominee or candidate may be referred to SGMP for review of a Code of Ethics violation, and such conduct may be cause for disqualification on the official ballot.

Unprofessional and/or unethical conduct during the nominations & elections period (National or Chapter) by any SGMP member may be referred to SGMP for review of a Code of Ethics violation.

Qualifications for National Board

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-3
Date of Origin: July 1989
Revised: February 1992; March 2003; April 2008; January 2009; October 2009; November 2010; October 2011; March 2013; September 2013; December 2013
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers the minimum qualifications to be eligible to serve on the National Board.

POLICY

In order to be qualified to serve on the National Board, a member must (per national bylaws):

• Have served as a member of a chapter and attended scheduled meetings and other chapter events and activities; and
• Have served as a member or chair of a chapter committee and, in that capacity, met deadlines, provided committee leadership, and accomplished the committee’s goal and objectives that benefited the chapter and SGMP; and
• Have served at least one year on a chapter board (exceptions: a candidate for National President or National Treasurer must have served two full years as Chapter President or Chapter Treasurer, respectively); and
• Be an SGMP member in good standing for three continuous years and be in the appropriate membership category for the office they seek at the time of their nomination, at the time of the announcement of approved candidates, at the time the voting opens, and at the time (if applicable) of their installation; and
• Be in full compliance with all eligibility requirements, including being currently employed in the government meetings industry and not being between professional positions at the time of their nomination, at the time of the announcement of approved candidates, at the time the voting opens, and at the time (if applicable) of their installation [period(s) of unemployment or of being between professional positions are allowable in between these specific points in the nominations & elections timeline]; and
• Not be—upon the end of that full term of office—serving more than four years in that National Board position; and
• Not be—upon the end of that full term in office—serving more than eight years total in elected National Board positions.

All candidates seeking election to the National Board will be vetted as being qualified for membership in their particular category at the time of their candidacy. Candidates may not be between professional positions and must meet the criteria for their respective category at the time of submitting election materials and (should they be elected) at installation.

Formal Written Complaint Process for National/Chapter Elections

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-4
Date of Origin: October 2009
Revised: November 2010; March 2013
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers the formal written complaint process for national and/or chapter elections when received from a member in good standing. It is written for national elections and the national Nominations & Elections Committee. However, when an official complaint is made of alleged misconduct or violation in a chapter election, the chapter and its (Chapter) Nominations & Elections Committee should also follow the steps in this policy.

POLICY

All (National) candidates must follow the (National) Elections Policy and the Campaign Materials Guideline that are established for each (National) election.

The following steps will be taken when a written formal complaint has been filed due to inappropriate behavior and/or not following the directions as specified either in the (National) Elections Policy and/or the (National) Campaign Materials Guideline.

The written formal complaint will be sent to the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee chair, who will provide it to the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee for review. If it is deemed that an inappropriate action may have occurred, the following will then take place:

• Documentation will be sent to referenced candidate with a request for a response
• Response from the referenced candidate will be reviewed by the committee
• One of the following actions to be taken will be determined by the committee
  • No disqualification of candidate
  • Disqualification of candidate

Once these steps have been completed, the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee chair will contact the referenced candidate by written correspondence with the results. The (National) Nominations & Elections Committee will also refer any alleged violation of improper or unprofessional conduct to the SGMP Ethics Officer.

In the event that a category of office requires another election to be held, a new voting date will be set and the election will be conducted. The position will not be confirmed until the result of the new election has been concluded. But all other elected positions not associated with the disqualified candidate may be announced.

CONSEQUENCES OF MISCONDUCT OR VIOLATION OF GUIDELINES

Disqualification

The (National) Nominations & Elections Committee will disqualify any candidate who knowingly participates in misconduct and/or knowingly commits a violation of the (National) nominations & elections policies, guidelines or timetable. Upon his/her confirmation as an official candidate, the member has read and provided signed confirmation that he/she understands all aspects of the (National) Elections Policy and/or (National) Campaign Material Guideline and, therefore, understands that any misconduct or violation thereto will result in disqualification.

No Disqualification

The (National) Nominations & Elections Committee determines that the referenced candidate has not violated any (National) Elections Policy and/or (National) Campaign Materials Guideline.

Refer to Ethics Officer

The National Nominations & Elections Committee will refer any alleged violation of improper or unprofessional conduct to the SGMP Ethics Officer.

PROCESS FOR REVIEW AND RESOLUTION OF (National) NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMPLAINT

When an official complaint of alleged misconduct or violation of the (National) Elections Policy and/or Campaign Materials Guideline is received by the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee Chair, the committee process is:

• Committee chair confirms receipt in writing to the submitter and provides a copy of the completed complaint form to committee members for review.
• Committee chair sends a copy of the completed complaint form to the candidate in question and requests an immediate confirmation of receipt and a written response within five days.
• Committee chair sends complaint/response independently to each committee member.
• Committee chair convenes with the committee to discuss the complaint/response and to guide the committee to a decision regarding the alleged misconduct or violation.
• Committee chair sends committee decision to the submitter, the candidate and the executive director.

PROCESS FOR REVIEW AND RESOLUTION OF A CHAPTER NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMPLAINT

Occasionally, SGMP receives objections about a chapter member or a situation arising from a personal grievance. This policy provides a formal channel for members to raise objections and complaints, and to request a formal response. If your complaint is in regard to circumstances surrounding a chapter election, please see attached NE-4 complaint form for filing a formal written complaint.

Instructions for Filing a Complaint with the National Board of Directors

Any member interested in bringing an appropriate complaint to the attention of the National Board of Directors must compile a complete submission as outlined below, accompanied by a completed complaint form.

• Complete the standard complaint form in full. Provide a brief narrative which should be no longer than two pages.
• Indicate in your complaint why you believe the issues raised in your complaint are significant issues and warrant the National Board’s attention. You should also indicate how you believe the National Board may assist you with this matter and what specifically would constitute a resolution.
• If applicable, attach documentation to support your narrative wherever possible. (For example, if you make reference in your complaint to an SGMP policy, reference the national policy number in your complaint.) Helpful documentation might include relevant letters or e- mail exchanged regarding the situation being reported.
• A few reminders:
  • Please type your complaint directly in the form.
  • Please do not use abbreviations or nicknames.
  • Sign and date the form.
  • Include contact information for future correspondence, with an email address.

Please note the National Board will not consider complaints that are not in writing and do not contain the elements noted above. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your complaint within 72 hours. A formal response will be issued within 30 days. Email questions to the Executive Director or the National President.

Complaint Form

Election Vote Count and Tie-breaking Procedures

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-5
Date of Origin: April 2011
Revised: March 2014
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers specific procedures when counting votes in a national or chapter election.

POLICY

The winner of any position must receive the most votes cast for that position regardless of whether they are a preapproved candidate or write-in candidate.

If there is a tie after the voting period closes, the candidates earning the tie will be placed into an additional run-off election (without the option of a write-in candidate) to be conducted as soon as is feasible. The candidate who receives the most votes in the run-off election shall be declared the winner.  All write-in candidates must meet eligibility requirements.

Voting in National Elections

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-6
Date of Origin: March 2013
Revised:
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

Voting clarification for members with multiple chapter memberships.

POLICY

Members with multiple memberships are not eligible to cast more than one vote in the National elections.

Chapter Nominations & Elections Committee

Section: Nominations & Elections
Policy No: NE-7
Date of Origin: March 2013
Revised: October 2013
Reaffirmed:

PURPOSE

This policy covers the procedures followed by the (National) Nominations & Elections Committee with regard to SGMP (Chapter) elections.

POLICY

The (Chapter) Nominations & Elections Committee is empowered to solicit candidates, establish criteria for evaluating candidates, accept, interview, evaluate and reject candidates for (Chapter) office. Candidate criteria and job descriptions of (Chapter) board members will be sent to interested candidates. The current Chapter President, or any outgoing chapter board officer, may oversee the nominations and elections process provided they are not seeking another term and there is no Immediate Past President available to preside over the election process.

Any outgoing Chapter President or any outgoing chapter board officer may serve as a committee member.

The Nominations & Elections Committee will ensure all election policies are followed.

The Nominations & Elections Committee will verify professional certifications before a candidate’s name will be placed on the ballot.

The list of official candidates for the incoming chapter board will not be announced until that list of candidates is ratified by the current chapter board and all nominees are notified.

All nominees for SGMP (Chapter) office will be notified as soon as possible by telephone and/or in writing by the (Chapter) Nominations & Elections Committee as soon as the official list of candidates has been approved. All official candidates will be notified ASAP by telephone and/or in writing as soon as the election results have been confirmed.

SGMP headquarters will arrange with a firm, independent of SGMP, to handle the implementation of the election (including the distribution and counting of ballots) in SGMP (Chapter) elections.