The deadline for submitting your candidacy for a board position or state coordinator in the upcoming PDGA elections is May 29, 2009.
As summer draws near, its time to prepare for the annual PDGA elections, and to send out the call for candidates. This year the elections will be shortened from two months to one month and will take place from July 1 to July 31, with the elected candidates assuming office as of September 1, 2009. The 2009 PDGA Election will be held on-line, with members casting their ballots at www.vote-now.com. In 2008, the elections saw record participation in terms of the % of current members voting.
VOTING PROCEDURES
During the first week of July 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 20, all members with valid emails who have not yet voted will be sent a 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 17, a ballot will be mailed to the member.
BECOMING A PDGA BOARD MEMBER
A Board of Directors is a requirement for non-profit status and is mandated by the PDGA By-laws. The PDGA Board is comprised of 7 elected members each holding a two-year terms. Every year, half - in the PDGA’s case 3 or 4 - of the Board positions are up for election. 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.
Prospective Board members should have some of the following mix of skills and qualifications:
- Professional experience involving management, marketing, financial, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, and/or the non-profit sector
- Communication skills in representing PDGA, and in corresponding with members, including access to e-mail
- A passion for disc golf
- Familiarity with and commitment to PDGA
In accordance with the organizational by-laws, four at-large Board member positions will be determined in this year's election. The four candidates who obtain the most votes will secure office. Terms will be September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2011. At their first meeting, the new Board of Directors will elect the president and other officers from among the seven Board members.
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 May 29, 2009.
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 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 setting 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 SCs, PDGA Board and staff
2009 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, 2009 - August 31, 2011 unless otherwise noted.
Alabama – Bill Bullington #25748
Alberta - Don Annett #23768
Arkansas – Evan McKee #28702
Armed Forces Overseas (State Code "AE") – Scott Reek #12824
California (North) – Jennifer Knisley #13273
Colorado - John Bird #387
Delaware - Chaz Banning #9707
Georgia – Keith Johnson #10444
Idaho - Greg Beukelman #15283
Indiana – John Cavaletto #19070
Kansas – Chris Smith #19983
Louisiana - Will Timmons #10542
Manitoba – Brian Wolowich #18723
Minnesota – Bill Ashton #2747
Missouri – John Chapman #5559
Nebraska - Anita Jackson #7512
New Hampshire – Rich Reilly #20985
New Mexico – Bill Leslie #14073
North Carolina – Kirk Yoo #6161
Ohio – Paul Jay #10227
Ontario – Jarrett Blanchard #22527
Pennsylvania – Jeff LaGrassa #12616
Quebec – Andre Leach #20474
Rhode Island – Norman Fitzgerald #23891
Saskatchewan - Murray Gordon #19521
South Dakota – Kayne Larimer #20631
Texas - Gary Duke #9426
Vermont – Shayne Tewksbury #23565
Washington - Eric Edgerton #14138
Wisconsin - Terry Miller #10738
Please join us in extending thanks and appreciation to all the above listed incumbents for their years of 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 May 29, 2009.
PLEASE VOTE!
When you receive your ballot in 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 2009 PDGA Election!
For additional information on the 2009 PDGA Election process, visit http://www.pdga.com/elections.