Chapter's Steering Committee Nominations Are Now Open

2024 ELECTIONS NOTICE
The members of Dignity/NY are invited to participate in the annual election of the Steering Committee of Dignity/NY, the governing body of Dignity/NY, pursuant to the bylaws of this Chapter and vote for candidates standing for election to the Steering Committee.

NOMINATING PETITIONS for prospective candidates will be available online from Sunday, August 25, 2024 until Thursday, September 12, 2024. Nominating petitions can be completed both electronically or by paper. An email will be sent to all members of record with a link to a Google Document containing the electronic nominating petitions and paper nominations may be picked up at church.

Under 7.2 of our bylaws, up to five (5) people are up for election in years that end in an odd number and up to four (4) people will be elected in even numbers years. People are elected for two-year terms.
The terms of four current Steering Committee members (Chris Alberti, Danny Larkin, Tom McLoughlin and Lewis Speaks-Tanner) will expire on October 31, 2024 while the terms of three elected last year (Robert Brande, James Osbourn & Jeff Stone) will continue for one more year.

Under 4.1, our bylaws envision a Steering Committee of nine (9) people, although that is not a requirement. However, there must be a minimum of five (5) members. Therefore, up to six (6) people may be elected to serve on the Steering Committee this year, four (4) for two-year terms that will expire on October 31, 2026 and two (2) for one-year terms that will expire on October 31, 2025.

WHO MAY STAND FOR ELECTION
Under 8.5 of our bylaws, any person who has been a member of Dignity/NY or Dignity USA for one year within the month of election and who has not been removed from any position within the organization for cause may stand as a candidate for the Steering Committee upon submission of a valid Petition of Nomination. The Elections Committee shall accept as valid any Petition of Nomination signed by ten (10) members in good standing so long it has been received before commencement of the Candidates Forum. The nomination can be found here or picked up at church.

WHO MAY VOTE
All people who are enrolled as members of Dignity/NY upon the night elections conclude may vote. Persons who are not carried as current members on the most recent Dignity USA roster may join, renew or be reinstated as members on or before Sunday, September 22 and may vote. If you feel your membership has lapsed or have any questions about membership, you should email Elections@dignityny.org.

THE FOLLOWING ARE DATES OF IMPORTANCE IN OUR 2024 CYCLE OF ELECTIONS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 @ 7PM– A CANDIDATES FORUM will be conducted online via ZOOM. People who wish to offer themselves for election will have an opportunity to present their programs and or/respond to question from their peers and members of our online congregation. (8.7) Candidates may also post written statements on our website. Election Buddy (a simple online app very much like Survey Monkey) will be sent out ASAP after the Forum to all members of record. If you can vote electronically via Election Buddy, you are requested to do so for ease of counting votes. Anyone with questions about their ballot should email Elections@dignityny.org.

REQUESTS FOR PAPER MAIL-IN BALLOTS must be received by the Elections Committee no later than FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024. This request must be done either online at Elections at dignityny.org (please type “MAIL-IN BALLOT” in the subject line) or phone Ben Speaks-Tanner Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked by Saturday, September 21, 2024 and received no later than midnight Friday, September 27, 2024. Please mail them back as soon as possible after receiving them.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: ELECTIONS CONCLUDE Currently enrolled members of Dignity/NY must vote either online before 11PM on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 or by Mail-In Ballot as described above. (8.2)
YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BECAUSE your name appears on the most recent membership roster received from Dignity USA. This qualifies you as an Elector of Dignity/NY under 8.8 of our bylaws. Please note below your expiration date (as of August 9, 2024) which indicates that if your membership has lapsed within the past three months, under the Dignity/NY’s traditional grace period, you still may vote.