2011 PDGA ELECTIONS
As summer draws near it is time to prepare for the annual PDGA elections and the call for candidates. This year the elections will take place from July 18 to August 7, with the elected candidates assuming office as of September 1, 2011. The 2011 PDGA Election will be held on-line, with members casting their ballots at www.vote-now.com. Over the three past years, the elections saw record levels of participation in terms of the % of current members voting.
VOTING PROCEDURES
During the first week of the elections all current members for whom the PDGA has an email address on file will receive an email from vote-now.com with their PDGA online election instructions including their individual ballot passcode. All members whose email bounces back or who do not have an email address on file, will be mailed a postcard by vote-now.com with their on-line ballot instructions and passcode. On or about July 27, all members with valid emails who have not yet voted will be sent an e-mail voting reminder. Those members who do not have any access to a computer or internet capability will also be able to contact the PDGA office and request a mailed paper ballot. Provided this request is received by the PDGA no later than July 27th, a ballot will be mailed to the member.
BOARD MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS
A Board of Directors is a requirement for non-profit status and is mandated by the PDGA bylaws. In addition to semi-annual summit meetings, the Board and staff conduct monthly teleconference calls and ongoing communication to accomplish required business. Some of the Board’s main activities include: setting PDGA policies; hiring and supervision of an Executive Director responsible for headquarters, staff, and ongoing operations; financial management including annual budget; identification of responsible future Board members; and representing the membership’s visions for the future of the sport and the association.
Board candidates must be an active PDGA member and should have some of the following mix of skills and qualifications:
- Professional experience involving management, marketing, financial, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, and/or experience in the non-profit sector.
- Communication skills in representing the PDGA, and in corresponding with members, including access to e-mail.
- A passion for the sport of disc golf.
- Familiarity with and commitment to the PDGA
NEW BOARD STRUCTURE
The PDGA Board has historically been comprised of seven elected members, each holding a two-year term, however a recent amendment to the bylaws will result in the board being increased to nine members beginning in 2011. Under the new bylaws, the terms of board members have also been increased to three years with a staggered rotation.
Four at-large Board member positions will be elected this year. The two candidates who obtain the first and second highest number of votes in the elections will serve three year terms from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2014. The two candidates with the third and fourth highest number of votes will serve two year terms from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013.
Additionally two board members will be appointed following the 2011 elections with one of those positions being a three year term from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2014 and the other being a two year term from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013. Ultimately three board positions will be filled each year with staggered three year terms once we get past this initial transition to the new structure.
These changes and adjustments are intended to enhance the continuity and the knowledge base of the Board as it moves through each annual election cycle.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
In order to more effectively identify and motivate highly-qualified members to run for these essential leadership positions in the PDGA, the Board has appointed a Nominating Committee to begin work with the 2011 elections. The committee has been tasked with identifying and recruiting qualified candidates to run for the board as well as reviewing all submitted candidate bios and statements. All candidates will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and recommendations made to the Board on their suitability prior to the elections.
SUBMITTING YOUR CANDIDACY
If you are interested in running for a position on the PDGA Board of Directors, download a candidate biography questionnaire from http://www.pdga.com/elections. This form may also be requested by contacting executive director Brian Graham at bgraham@pdga.com or (706) 261-6342. The completed form must be returned to the office along with a candidate statement no later than June 30, 2011.
STATE AND PROVINCE COORDINATORS
The State and Provincial Coordinators represent more than 50 key PDGA volunteer positions. Each year 50% of US State and Canadian Province Coordinators are elected. Each member's on-line ballot will only display the Coordinator race for their home state or province. If your state or province is not included in the list below, it will be on the election ballot next year. Here is the list of responsibilities for the SC position:
- Represent the PDGA in a positive light and professional manner to members, clubs, agencies, and communities in their state or province.
- Work with tournament directors and clubs within their state or province and in adjoining areas to schedule PDGA tour and other disc golf events.
- Serve as state/provincial liaison to the PDGA tour manager, in coordinating the tour schedule and in addressing and resolving tour event issues.
- Collect information, either personally or by delegating to individuals or clubs, for the PDGA Course Directory and the Course Evaluation system.
- Promote PDGA memberships, and PDGA programs such as the Affiliate Clubs program, tournament sanctioning, Disc Golf Foundation, and EDGE to the members and potential members in their state or province.
- Provide feedback on the annual Tour Standards to the PDGA Tour Manager.
- Coordinate state qualification for events such as the USDGC, USADGC, and other qualified-entry tournaments.
- Vote for and recommend candidates for select annual PDGA Awards.
- Other duties as determined by the SC’s, the PDGA Board and staff.
2011 STATE/PROVINCE ELECTIONS
Here is the list of coordinator positions up for election this year, and the names of the incumbents. Terms for these positions will be September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2013 unless otherwise noted.
Alabama – Chris Pierce #24826
Alberta – Craig Burrows-Johnson #10658
Arkansas – Evan McKee #28702
Armed Forces Overseas (State Code "AE") – Scott Reek #12824
California (North) – Jennifer Knisley #13273
Colorado - John Bird #387
Delaware – Tony Mastrangelo #7129
Georgia – Keith Johnson #10444
Idaho – Derek Ford #1929
Indiana – John Cavaletto #19070
Kansas – Chris Smith #19983
Louisiana – Philip Pedro #34554
Manitoba – Darin Watson #40333
Minnesota – Mike Snelson #9537
Missouri – Billy Nelson #13448
Nebraska – Steve Stump #27901
New Hampshire – Rob Feeney #33565
New Mexico – John Hahn #1009
North Carolina – Mike Norris #17390
Ohio – Paul Jay #10227
Ontario – Kim Scott-Wood #19777
Pennsylvania – Ray Rogers #4792
Quebec – Peter Lizotte #9189
Rhode Island – Greg Wintrob #23857
Saskatchewan - Murray Gordon #19521
South Dakota – Kayne Larimer #20631
Texas – Scott Houghland #33341
Vermont – Christopher Young #24381
Washington - Eric Edgerton #14138
Wisconsin - Terry Miller #10738
Please join us in extending thanks and appreciation to all the above listed incumbents for their
voluntary service to the PDGA and disc golf. Many of these key contributors will be seeking re-election, many others will be seeking election for the first time.
SUBMITTING YOUR CANDIDACY
If you are interested in running for the Coordinator position in your home state or province, download a candidate biography questionnaire from http://www.pdga.com/elections . This form may also be requested by contacting executive director Brian Graham at bgraham@pdga.com or (706) 261-6342. The completed form must be returned to the office along with a candidate statement no later than June 30, 2011.
PLEASE VOTE!
When you receive your ballot in mid July, please take a few minutes of your time to complete and submit your ballot. In doing so not only are you fulfilling one of your basic rights and responsibilities as a PDGA member, but you are also demonstrating that the work performed by these our core volunteers is important and worthwhile, both for you personally, and for the PDGA and disc golf as a whole.
Thanks very much for participating in the 2011 PDGA Elections!
