Subsequent to announcement of election date last week, here are some more details:
1) Elections will be conducted on 6th May, 2009. This is to give four weeks time for the new officers before TLI training (Toastmasters Leadership Institute). As an FYI - TLI is tentatively scheduled Saturday, June 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. There will also be make-up sessions for those who miss the first training.
2) Every member can do self nomination and/or nominate others. All you need to do is send email to our Past President and Chair of the Election Committee, Albert Mo (albertmo1@yahoo.com). Albert will be publishing the list of nominees at a regular frequency.
3) One can nominate for more than one position and/or can nominate others also for more than one position. Please note, nomination can be done from the floor on the day of election also.
4) If you are wondering what the role of each position is, please check here to get more details. You can also talk to our club officers to learn specifically what is done at Star Search (and why we are so successful). Here is the list of current officers
- VP of Education: Sharad Nair
- VP of Membership: Vedant Bhangale
- VP of Public Relations: Diana Wilkotz
- Secretary: SubbaRao Vadrevu
- Treasurer: Manoj Bansal
- Seargent-at-arms: Payal Tiku
- President: Shashi Matha
- Past President: Albert Mo
Q/A: Frequently asked questions - with my own answers/viewpoints :-)
1) Q: Should I nominate myself or wait till others nominate me?
A: Running for a position is really for yourself. If you really want to try a position and learn, please nominate yourself.
2a) Q: I see that another person is running. Is it good if I also run?
A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated.
2b) Q: I see that there is a very ABLE person in the nominee list. I should not really run.
A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated.
Additionally, as Albert quoted last year, it is not just being ABLE but the person should be AVAILABLE to perform officer duties. So, willingness to learn and having one self available to offer time and energy to the position is far more important than whether you have the experience and the ability.
2c) Q: If he or she is not running, then I will run.
A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated.
Additionally, the nominee list keeps changing till last minute, so you are not sure who will finally end up in the nominee list. You should nominate self if interested irrespective of who else is nominated.
2d) Q: I will wait to see who is nominated.
A: Again, it is learning experience for yourself and not for others. Names appear and disappear from the list, so the list itself is not complete until the final day.
3) Q: I am interested in running but not sure if I can dedicate time. What should I do?
A: Willingness to serve, learn and being AVAILABLE is more important than just being "interested". As a club officer, once elected, you are expected to provide some time to the club. If there are uncertain situations here and there, usually club officers support each other.
If there are situations when you can not provide time at all, you can step down so that others can serve and learn. This is fine and happens once in a while.
4) Q: I am a new member. May be I should wait for another year.
A: There is no requirement that you should be experienced member. New members are encouraged to run and learn everything Toastmasters offers in a short period rather than waiting. Remember, willingness to learn, serve and being AVAILABLE is far more important than any thing else.
Here is Albert's another famous quote: "NO experience is required; ONLY enthusiasm is required"
5) Q: I am only interested in this position but not the other ones.
A: It is up to you. But please review what is expected for each role. All roles provide different learning experience and there is not good or bad role. But certain roles like SAA and VPE requires more involvement and time commitment compared to other roles.
6) Q: Is a club officer position more for service and self learning is a distant second?
A: Personally I feel it is more learning for the self first and service to the club second.
Best Wishes,
Shashi.
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