Out Astoria is operated by a steering committee composed of 13 sponsor members of Out Astoria who are elected by their peers for three-year terms. These three-year terms are staggered so that roughly one third of the steering committee membership is up for election each year.
Elections are held electronically the second week of January, over a two-day period, through a secure online voting system that is accessible only to sponsor members. Any sponsor member of Out Astoria whose dues are currently paid up is eligible to run and vote in the election. The election process is overseen by an elections committee appointed by Out Astoria’s President.
To run in an election, sponsor members can either self-nominate or be nominated by another sponsor member. Nominees for the steering committee must be vetted by a designated elections committee member to be listed on a ballot for election. Vetting includes making sure that nominee understands steering committee responsibilities and election rules and is currently a sponsor member.
Nominations for the January 2013 Elections will open November 2012. Nominations close on January 2013. Election takes place during January 2013 via secure internet voting process. New steering committee members will be announced on January 2013 and will meet with the existing steering committee members before the end of the month.
Nominations or elections questions may be sent to Out Astoria here.
The members of the steering committee who serve as Out Astoria’s officers–President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Coordinators for events, public relations, membership, and business outreach–serve one-year terms and are elected by the full steering committee, including all newly elected members, at its first meeting after elections.
