2013 Elections are now OPEN

[Crystal]

The 2013-2015 CedarLight Grove, ADF elections are OPEN!

There are three methods in which you can vote:

1. We encourage all members who can to vote by e-mail, simply to save costs and trees.  Send your vote to elections@cedarlightgrove.org with the title [CedarLight Grove] Elections as the subject.  You can simply list the positions and who you are voting for in that position (also please add your name).  Only one vote per position, and all emails must be from your email address on file.

2. We will be supplying paper copies of the ballot at the Grove.  Only one ballot per voting member is accepted, and we will not accept ballots with scratch marks (please use a fresh one if you mess up).  These will be locked in the fireproof safe in the library until December 15th.  If you'd like a ballot mailed to your house, please email taryn@cedarlightgrove.org and one will be mailed to you.  Only members with bouncing or no email address provided will automatically receive paper ballots.

3. Give your proxy vote to someone who can either email for you, or request a paper ballot for you.  You must let the Witan know that this person has your proxy vote by emailing them at witan@cedarlightgrove.org from your email address on file.

Elections run from 12am December 1st until 12pm on December 15th, which will then start the Annual Grove Witan meeting and Election results announcement at 1pm.

Our Nominees:
Senior Druid:
Ashley Bryner

Vice Senior Druid:
Michael Hardy
Taryn Lyon

Pursewarden:
Crystal Groves

Scribe:
Aurora Silvermane
Amy Fleming

Members Advocate:
Scott Holbrook-Foust
Lynda Hardy

(you can write in a vote as well)

Members who have reached all membership requirements to vote (has attended 3 high rites and 2 business meetings from Yule 2012 to Samhain 2013, owes no funds to the Grove, membership is up to date, and is an ADF member):

Ashley
Caryn
Crystal
Amy
Debbie
Donald
Aurora
Zuki  (if she renews)
Jess W
John W
Lynda
Michael
MJ
Scott
Shelly
Taryn
Wayne
Kelly
Tivis (if he renews)
Starrla (if she renews)

Ballots will be counted on December 15th by Debbie, Kelly, and Donald, none of which are running for a position.

[carynml]

I know some people wanted me to run in this election and I am sorry if I disappointed you.   

My training in the military taught me many things and one of them was that you have train the people who will take your place when you are gone.  This has been a concern of mine for many years because for a very long time, Will and/or I were the primary reason CLG kept going.  I know that if I and other previous leaders do not teach those who follow us how to do this, CLG is doomed to die when we are gone.  It's really as simple as that.  The witan knows that I am available to back them up under any circumstances.  I have held all the positions in the witan so it's not like I can't serve in that function.  It's also not like I am going to stop working up at the grove during the week on small maintenance projects...ya'll know better than that.

I also have some personal reasons for not wanting to run in that I have made an oath to myself to focus entirely on the CTP in the coming year.  That would normally be 3 to 6 years worth of work and I intend to have it done in the next 9-12 months.  This is a very big deal to me.  My grovemates and omens have been telling me for years to take better care of myself and I am finally doing it.  Trying not to do "everything" and to focus on what really important.  You have no idea how hard this is for me but I am doing it. 

I would also really like to see the witan look really hard at the idea of a board of trustees, probably made up of select previous SDs but not absolutely, who are the fall back option should the witan explode and dissolve or should the witan decide to change the grove into something completely different like a christian fundamentalist church or something.  The trustees would have the power to veto that move.  I think it sounds like a good move for long range planning.  I also want to see us come up with a new business plan and am perfectly willing to take the lead on that.  So again, it's not like I am "sitting this one out"  I am not, however I do think it is much more important to the Grove for me to help train the new leaders and none of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, we are human...this is reality.

Those are my thoughts on it all.
-Caryn

[Shelly]

The Board of Trustees scenario is something I've got some background in; and which I think we have good candidates for within the grove, especially among prior SDs but also among lots of other g'mates with a variety of experience esp in leadership and community outreach/organizing. It's good for managing problems, but even more ideally it's used as a vehicle for fundraising.

I'd be happy to talk through the things I've seen, and I suspect there are a few other grove mates with experience in board-level fundraising.

Shelly

[lindowyn]

That would be fantastic, Shelly! Is this something you would like to discuss during the next Witan meeting or on a Sunday afternoon?

[Crystal]

Input is always appreciated, especially from experienced peoples

[Shelly]

Some Sunday is best.

[debbie]

Good on ya, Caryn!  Its about time!  :-)

Good idea also and yay to both you and Shelly for furthering this idea.

[Crystal]

Reminder that you have until noon on the 15th to vote either online or via paper ballot at the Grove on the 15th.  I'll be sending out e-mail reminders as well.

[debbie]

So... do I bring in the ballots this Sunday that were sent to me?

[lindowyn]

That would be a good idea. That way everyone that's counting can make sure every ballot is counted.

[Keyye]

I'm going to print out the ones I receive up to today (with access to a viable printer) and then have to hand-note any ones we receive over the weekend.

[Crystal]

Yeah, general rule of thumb is either print the emails or print them from a doc or write them down or whatever.  Purpose of 3 counters is to help ensure there are no miscounts if you're all getting the same answer on votes, etc.  And to help keep things honest

[carynml]

I'm confused, do we need to print our ballots and bring them in if we have already sent them in?

[debbie]

Just those who are counting them.

[carynml]

Unpinning