The Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) announced 'emergency elections' late yesterday/early today, to take place on Saturday 17 May 2008. In a statement via in-world group notice and posted in the SLSA Forum the SLSA stated that "Due to the vacancies of Ritch Goalpost, Sierra Sugar and Carenahh Kuu we will be having a special election to fill those three positions". For those members that are scratching their heads and wondering if they've missed something since the last SLSA elections on March 1st, SurfWatch attempts to fill in some of the gaps.Missing directors
Some SLSA members may well ask what happened to Ritch Goalpost, Sierra Sugar and Carenahh Kuu, why they are no longer directors and perhaps why the elected directors departures weren't announced by the SLSA directors to the membership. For the record, SurfWatch understands that Ritch disappeared from Second Life shortly after being elected for reasons unknown and so his position has remained empty since early March. Sierra resigned a few weeks ago and Carenahh resigned her position on Wednesday.
This may leave Milo Voss and Radical Twang as the only two current SLSA directors, although SurfWatch hears that Colleen Brennan (currently ranked third in the 2008 SLSA season standings) and Ashleigh Dickins (ranked 10th) may have been appointed interim directors by Milo and Radical until elections can be held for new directors.
New director candidates standing for election
Although the 'special election' has been announced for 17 May, according to the SLSA Rulebook individuals standing for election must "apply in writing to all members of the standing board of directors (via notecard, IM’s are not admissible) not more than 21 days and not less than 14 days prior to an election." Mathematicians will note that members have only been given 7 days notice for the upcoming elections. The directors have yet to clarify on what basis they are overriding this rule.
Individuals interested in standing for election are asked to "submit a note card stating that fact to Radical Twang, Milo Voss, Poid Mahovlich, Rani Decosta and Sally LaSalle". Some may ask why nominations should be sent to non-elected representatives and what role do Poid, Rani and Sally play in the elections? SurfWatch has the greatest respect for all three, but, really, what's the deal here? Does the SLSA have to be so mysterious?
Elections and voter eligibility
Assuming that there are candidates to volunteer for the three SLSA director positions, even if they were all to apply today (which seems unlikely if all things are fair and equal), then they have six days to make their views known on the association and advise members on the reasons why they should be voted in.
Voting for directors is restricted to competition surfers from the last three months competitions. Although many have found fault with this, the rule exists for good reasons (see Craig Stallion's recent explanation in the SLSA Forum) and so this, by our calculations, means that a maximum of 46 out of the 306 SLSA group membership will be elegible to vote next Saturday (or roughly 15%). How many of those 46 will log in prior to the election for enough time to find out about the election itself, find out who's standing, decide on who to vote for and place a vote? This also remains to be seen.
In case of lack of eligible candidates
SurfWatch certainly hopes that there are enough SLSA members who wish to be nominated for election, since according to the SLSA Rulebook "In the event that there are no candidates eligible or willing to run for election for a Director’s seat(s), SLSA will dissolve as an association".
A critical election for the SLSA
With just two elected SLSA directors out of an SLSA board of directors that should consist of five director positions remaining on board, a great deal now rests on the shoulders of Milo Voss and Radical Twang. Whilst many surfers may not think a great deal about the role that the SLSA plays, they would all surely miss it if the association wasn't there. The proper organisation and running of the upcoming election is going to be critical to the SLSA's continued viability as an association and so is also important to all those that wish to see surfing continue to grow and develop in Second Life.
Meanwhile, the next SLSA surfing competition of the season is due to take part at Neart on 24 May 2008 (in just two weeks time).
Coming next: SLSA Elections (Part II) - Why should you care?
SurfWatch: New SLSA directors announced (2 Mar 08)
URL: Further questions on this election in the SLSA Forum (10 May 08)
URL: SLSA Rulebook
URL: SLSA Season Standings
Posts
6 comments:
Hi All (copy of this posted in SLSA forums)
I am writing this post in response to the report published in the surfwatch blog today 'SLSA Elections - What's going on' and also in response to Craig's post about these emergency elections.
I have always tried to be clear, open and honest and because of that expect it from others. That clarity may have not been as apparent in very recent days within SLSA for many of you, hence my reply here.
Milo contact myself & Poid amongst several other advisors for our comments, advice and help as to how to proceed in the unusual situation the board find themselves of being three directors down. I have cut and paste my email in its entirety below so you can see exactly what I said. My reply was based on a consultation between myself and Poid.
from my email to milo :-
I have discussed this at length with Poid and we both
agree that the only credible option open to us is to
hold a special emergency election. The bylaws dont
cover such a situation but because we have 3 directors
seats vacant we think its best solution.
I think you need to make a special announcement in the
forum & as notice as a matter of urgency, advising
membership that Carenahh, Sierra & Ritch no longer
directors and in view of this need to hold emergency
elections etc.
For the nomination and voting process I think it's a
must that votes be sent not just to existing directors
but to say 2 or 3 advisors (eg myself, poid, sally).
Just to be transparent and open.
Plus talking of transparency it would be good idea to
be open about the accounts, more so now that there are
only 2 directors at moment.
Also bear in mind the ruling that no more than 2
directors can be on board from same team.
Poid has kindly offered her help with
organising/obtaining sponsorships for Neart in
addition to other stuff she already doing.
If you can announce the resignations and up coming
elections tonight with a view to asking for members to
nominate by say Monday, could hold elections by next
Saturday 17th May. As I know you're very aware this
really needs to get sorted as matter of urgency.
I think its good to still plan for Neart but maybe
consider delaying by week and have on following
Sunday? Otherwise you have 3 new directors thrown in
at deep end. That is unless you feel able to handle
the comp on scheduled date with the resources you have
in place.
Thats about it I think! Lot of stuff but at this
stage its best to be very open with membership. Let
me know if you have any more questions.
end of email
As regards the confusion, well, I think that the problem was that Milo wanted to get elections underway ASAP so sent out a notice as quickly as he could. Unfortunately in doing so he cause some confusion. His intentions I know were to be open and fair, which is precisely why he & Rad didnt want to appoint interim directors themselves. They felt that for just 2 directors to appoint 3 brand new directors to the board would cause some concern and maybe raise questions of potentially being biased. Hence they wanted to look at calling emergency elections and raised this as a possibility with some of the advisers.
With regards to the tenure of the newly appointed directors, well, right now we need stability. So, in my opinion I think need to appoint these directors for a full term. The rules dont cover this situation I think they were written assuming that one director had resigned/left and the rule covers that fine. This is a very unusual situation. This will mean that after these elections the next set of elections will be for Rad & Milo when their 6 month term is up (not sure when that is?).
I, like so many people want the SLSA to continue - get it's strength back and go on to support the surfing community as it has done. It is important that we all pull together & back-up the existing directors and welcome the new ones.
What we need right now is stability and a chance for directors to get stuck in and get on with the job. Having fully fledged directors will enable this to happen and I hope ensure a solid foundation for SLSA.
Sorry if I have rambled!! lol
So, in my humble opinion the only way forward right now is to follow the process as per Milo's notice to ensure the continued success & future of the SLSA.
Thanks,
Rani Decosta
Many thanks for this Rani. There is no doubt that the actions of all concerned are made with the best intentions for the SLSA. However, there are a few quite sizable questions here:
1) Who are 'the advisors'? The SLSA has officials that members have elected to represent them. It makes sense that the directors have advisors, since there are many individuals in SL with valuable experience of the surfing scene and SLSA itself. Doesn't it also make sense that these advisors are appointed publically (not to mention given the credit they deserve publically) and with the full knowledge of the membership?
2) On what basis have the directors decided to deviate from the SLSA's own rule book and hold elections at 7 days notice, instead of the mandatory 14 days notice?
3) Who presides over such issues of protocol and use of the bylaws? The elected board of directors? Advisors, discloseed, undisclosed and perhaps even yet un-named? The founder directors?
4) Is announcing an election process not allowed for in the SLSA Rulebook the best way to restore stability to the SLSA?
I think this debate is best carried out on the forum - so there is one central area persons can read & comment not spread all over the web
Poid
Actually I see no problem discussing it here as well. There can certainly be more than one discussion about this. I like getting as many different points of view as I can - not everyone wants to post on the forum. I read and post to both.
http://www.surfslsa.com/forums
hahahaha... cant belive you made this fun so complicated. But a big-fat "RESPECT AND PROPS" to all of ya, cuase you still able to handle it.
Schroffvogel
FREAK ON LEASH
hahahahaa.... i even forgot how to write my name...muhahaha!
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