Election of Directors for British Orienteering

[Homer]

OK, so it won't be propery democratic, but I thought it would be interesting (especially for the candidates!) to see who is the most popular candidate on Nopesport.

Don't forget, in order to vote for real, and (if like me) you can't face attending the AGM, you need to get your proxy votes in before the JK.

[Spookster]

As a candidate, I wondered how long it would be before someone started this thread - I wasn't going to start it myself

The deadline for submission of proxy votes is 17 March, but you can vote at the AGM and it would be good to see a high turn-out of members at the AGM, given the significant changes going on presently within British Orienteering.

The preferential scoring system that will be used is much more complex than a simple poll, but I guess this poll is just a bit of fun anyway. If you're interested, the scoring system that BOF will use is a version of the one explained here.

The pen portraits of candidates are on the BOF website now, but it was a challenge to stay within the word limit. I've written a bit more about my reasons for standing - there's a link to that in my signature text below.

All support very gratefully received!

Martin Ward.

[awk]

Thanks for that Spookster. It would be good to know what variation is being used, as there appears to be no indication of how the election will work in the AGM papers or accompanying literature. Nor is there any indication of how many directors are being elected (I found the number buried in Focus - 3).

[Scott]

It would be good to know what variation is being used

From the letters that went out to candidates, it sounds like they're using an unmodified version of the system described in that link - ie one that is prone to bullet voting.

I'f we're campaigning on nope then I guess I better get a manifesto up too...

[Ed]

Don't forget, in order to vote for real, and (if like me) you can't face attending the AGM, you need to get your proxy votes in before the JK.

you'll also have to be a member of British Orienteering, which rules some of us out...

[Spookster]

Thanks for that Spookster. It would be good to know what variation is being used, as there appears to be no indication of how the election will work in the AGM papers or accompanying literature. Nor is there any indication of how many directors are being elected (I found the number buried in Focus - 3).

The only variation is that the Wiki describes that system as being used to elect 1 preferred candidate, but the BOF process will use it to elect the top 3.

[martyn]

I too am a candidate in the forthcoming election, and like Martin and Scott have prepared a few words in addition to those which you will have received in the post. Please click on the link below.

http://www.orienteering.ilkley.org/Club ... ifesto.htm

Whomever you wish to support, do please take the trouble to send in your vote or come along to the AGM.

And whilst American-style televised debates will clearly be out of our league, if anyone wants to post some questions for us candidates to tackle on this thread, I'm up for an on-line debate!

Martyn Broadest

[jab]

From the format of the voting papers I had just assumed the vote was STV which is the one I most usually come across. It may make me seem a bit of an anorak but I really think that the voting papers ought to explain how the system works rather than relying on people reading nopesport Wikipedia.

[DIDSCO]

Is Ranald MacDonald a real person or is someone just taking the Mickey?

....mines a Big Mac and fries if he wants my vote

[Tatty]

He's very real, and top guy

Are you out of touch with orienteering in the Uk? He is a very prominant figure in his region

[RFM]

Is Ranald MacDonald a real person or is someone just taking the Mickey?

....mines a Big Mac and fries if he wants my vote

Sorry to disappoint Didsco, but yes. I exist, though my surname has been spelt incorrectly - as it is on the ballot form. If you just looked through the rankings, my club website or Google Scholar you'd easily avoid this sort of faux pas.

I've not got a manifesto as I believe, as a Director, I would have to address each issue on its merits.

As a director with my national professional body I consider each issue, reflect on the facts, consult with others, discuss with my director colleagues and make decisions informed by my strongly held values. That doesn't mean "it's in my manifesto, so I have to stick with it" but "what's in the best interests of the sport; what will improve management of the sport; how can I represent the diverse and changing views of other orienteers, how do I engage with evidence/data/opinions to make my decisions? etc,." As a current DVO Club Chair and long-term Development Officer I have the interests of my club and the sport at heart (this is beginning to sound like a manifesto!).

As a Professor in my university I haven't got here by loose rhetoric - know what I mean?

I've got no problems with not being elected as I can support BOF in other ways, but let's not trivialiase others ...

Thanks for your comments, Tatty

Ranald (and proud of it) Macdonald - no relation to the Big Mac! No time for Starbucks, either.

[DM]

To help in this poll and the one at the AGM, please can each candidate voice their opinions on the maps scale debate which has generated a fair amount of comment on another thread. Let's have vote on real facts in the best interest of the sport.

Straight answers would be appreciated. Sitting on the fence, whatever you think, will be easily detected and for me will not gain any votes.

[Scott]

Another communique from Neil Cameron this morning reveals that they've changed the voting method to this one, which is altogether more sensible.

[awk]

Before I contact BOF office yet again, can anybody point me to where we are properly told what the voting system is please, because in my ignorance I can't find it anywhere? For instance that communique from Neil, Scott, is it in the public domain anywhere? Thanks.

[Gross]

Another communique from Neil Cameron this morning reveals that they've changed the voting method to this one, which is altogether more sensible.

Bit of a Mickey Mouse election if the voting method is changed less than 4 weeks before the election! I hear a Mr Putin is making a last minute appeal to stand for election as a director... if he don't succeed then whoever he supports will be guaranteed at least 70% of the vote:)

In fact if the voting system has seriously been changed then any potential director with any integrity at all should withdraw......... comments please from the candidates:)

PS - some of us haven't even had the AGM papers yet:)