GLDSA Electoral Endorsement Guidelines

Candidate Prerequisites

• GLDSA member in good standing for more than 3 months

• Active in at least one subcommittee or working group

Procedure

1. Candidate requests endorsement

This can be announced publicly (i.e. chapter meeting or Slack) or requested privately from a member of Steering Committee  (Slack, in-person text, GLDSA email)

2. Steering committee will request a volunteer to be the endorsement coordinator.

a. This is a temporary position that acts as the logistical supervisor during this process.

3. Endorsement coordinator will send the candidate questionnaire to the candidate for completion.

a. They will also request available dates/times for a future candidate forum.

4. Candidate will return the completed questionnaire to the coordinator.

5. Endorsement coordinator will post the completed questionnaire for the GLDSA to review.

a. Any GLDSA member may request additional questions from the candidate via the coordinator. 

b. However, the candidate is not required to answer additional questions before attending the candidate forum.

c. In cases where a candidate does not return the questionnaire in a timely manner, the coodinator will be responsible for providing an update on the candidate to the GLDSA.

6. Endorsement coordinator will propose 2 options for the candidate forum (electronically or at chapter) and schedule the forum based on the option with the most member availability.

7. Endorsement coordinator will book a public location for the forum and notify the other parties of the tentative date.

a. It is recommended that the candidate forum be recorded and the recording posted electronically.

8. All parties will attend the candidate forum.

a. Endorsement coordinator will lead the forum and facilitate questions between the candidate and the attendees.

9. Steering committee will set aside time at the next chapter meeting for candidate forum discussion and subsequent endorsement vote.

10. Chapter will discuss and then vote on candidate endorsement. A quorum of 20% of total chapter membership is required in order to take a vote on endorsements.

a. If present, the candidate will leave the room during this time until the vote is completed.

b. If the candidate is not endorsed, they will be notified immediately by the endorsement coordinator.

c. If the candidate is endorsed, they will be notified immediately and a working group will be organized to assist the candidate.