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Date: Sat, 31 May 1997 15:57:23 -0600
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To: ceda-l@cornell.edu
From: scprest@umslvma.umsl.edu (Tom Preston)
Subject: nonvoting in topic areas

Greg Simerly is correct that 47 per cent seems to be a low turnout, and
that the voting was close.  His point about some of the regional
representatives not voting as well as the exec council, as he implies, is
revealing probably more of our newness to this process, rather than the
individuals.

I don't have a big political agenda in this, but I do have a couple of
systemic suggestions suggestions that might increase turnout. Others can
point out the logistical challenges I haven't considered, perhaps I and
others can respond, and together we could come up with some good
suggestions for the exec.  First, we are new at this topic area procedure
still, and the topic merger with NDT is still relatively new--so we are
just learning in the process.  I think one thing the low turnout might have
taught us is that many are on vacation and away from their desks in mid to
late-May, and oftenm the first week of the month is filled with exams,
annual reports, end of the semester socials and informal socializing, and
other deadlines that might cause a vote to be forgotten if not done when
the letter is received.  There may be some logistical problems in this, but
maybe start the procedure even earlier, and have balloting done both at
CEDA nationals and perhaps at the NDT for schools that go there and belong
to CEDA, esp. since we are debating the same topic. Then, mail specific
reminders to those not attending, and have a deadline say about 10 days
after CEDA nationals for receipt of ballots from those not attending.
That, at least, should solve for the regional rep problem as these almost
always attend nationals.  Specifically, mail the topic are choices out by
two weeks before nationals, and then have each school attending required to
vote before at registration before the teams are allowed to compete (well,
mandatory voting works well in some European countries anyway).

Then, if the specific topics were to come out around April 5 and due before
the end of the semester rush, ballots could be distributed right after
nationals, and the topic announced with ample time to jibe with NDT.

As for this year the bigger controversy seemed to be over whether Civil
Rights would be the area--now that that's solved, although many opinions
have been expressed today, it will be interesting to see exactly how many
more or fewer vote on the actual topic this summer as the problems with
coaches being present or otherwise distracted will remain.

I'll be awaiting my ballot.

Tom

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