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Article VI

Officers

This article defines the officers of the union, requirements for holding office and the procedures for filling vacancies and recalling elected officers.

Proposed Changes

The proposed changes to this article make changes to the definitions of officers, the manner in which officers are elected and the process for filling vacancies.

Why are these changes are recommended?

These changes were proposed to make the officers more effective by giving them more time to work together and creating a date for the turnover of officer positions. The proposed changes also allow GEO to adapt more quickly to changes by making chairs of standing committees officers and providing for the creation of standing committees according to the changing needs of GEO (see Article VIII).

Constitutional Language

Current Language

VI. Officers
  • A. The officers of the Organization shall be a ten-member Steering Committee who shall be elected by the membership at a membership meeting.
  • B. Election of Officers:
    • l. The election committee shall conduct the election of Steering Committee members. The election committee shall be composed of the incumbent Steering Committee not up for re-election.
    • 2. All full members in good-standing shall be eligible to run for office. All associate members in good standing who have previously been full members in good standing shall also be eligible to run for office. All members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.
    • 3. The term of office for members of the Steering Committee shall be one year. One half of the Committee shall be elected at the first regular membership meeting of the Fall term and the other half at the first membership meeting of the following Winter term. Vacancies shall be filled as they occur by the membership at the next membership meeting. Officers elected to fill a vacancy shall complete the term of office filled.
    • 4. The membership meeting at which election of Steering Committee members occurs may choose to proceed by secret ballot or by voice vote. In the event of a secret ballot vote, the election committee shall tally all ballots prior to the adjournment of the membership meeting.
    • 5. All nominees shall present a speech and shall be subject to questioning by the membership. The membership meeting shall determine the duration of these speeches.
    • 6. Any challenges to the regularity of the election shall be heard by the election committee who shall report its findings to the membership at a special membership meeting to be called within two weeks of the challenge. The membership meeting shall determine the validity of the challenge and certify the election.
  • C. Officers shall take office as soon as their election has been certified by the election committee or, in the event of a challenge, by the membership as directed in Article VI.B.6.
  • D. Any officer of the Organization may be recalled upon petition of twenty (20) percent of the membership. An election shall be held within fourteen days of receipt of the petition. The recalled member shall be eligible to run for election. The standing Steering Committee, excluding members up for recall, shall determine the validity of the signatures appearing on any recall petition.
  • E. The Steering Committee shall designate one member of the Steering Committee to fill each of the following positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Proposed Revision

VI. Officers
  • A. Definition of Officers: The officers of the Organization shall comprise a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and the chairs of all standing committees created by the Stewards' Council.
  • B. Election of Officers:
    • 1. All members in good-standing shall be eligible to run for office.
    • 2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by a majority vote at a membership meeting.
    • 3. The chairs of all standing committees created by the Stewards’ Council shall be elected by a majority vote at a Stewards’ Council meeting.
    • 4. The term of office for all Officers shall be one year, to commence on May 1.
  • C. Vacancies:
    • 1. If an Officer becomes unable to fulfill the duties of office, the Stewards’ Council shall appoint an acting Officer. The acting Officer shall retain this appointment until such time that an election is held at a membership meeting.
    • 2. Officers appointed or elected to fill a vacancy shall complete the term of office filled.
  • D. Recall of Officers: Any officer of the Organization may be recalled upon petition of ten (10) percent of the membership. An election shall be held within fourteen days of receipt of the petition. The recalled member shall be eligible to run for election. The Stewards' Council, excluding members up for recall, shall determine the validity of the signatures appearing on any recall petition.

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