Excitement
and intrigue are two components I enjoy in the stories I view and
read. If it happens in real life — and I'm keen enough to recognize
it — it's a bonus.
Well, in
a nerdy sort of way, excitement and intrigue are unfolding on the
AAPG Web site through the online balloting system.
In the
first week of electronic voting 2,451 votes were cast. Of those,
1,426 were handled electronically — that's 58 percent of the vote.
By March 1, 737 Active members had cast their vote for the 2004-05
officers.
Just think
about it! Never before have AAPG members been able to vote in this
manner.
Will convenience
lead to increased member involvement in the election process?
Already
we've received inquiries at headquarters from members who ask, "Why
can't I vote?" The answer: Because the questions come from Associate
members, and Associate members are ineligible for voting in the
general election.
How many
Associate members will be inspired to become Active members because
they want to have the opportunity to vote?
Clearly,
electronic voting has the potential to make a significant impact
on AAPG beyond convenience.
The Question
Is …
To the
Active members:
Have you voted yet?
Have you
even received your ballot?
If you
answered "no" to either of these questions, then here's a treat!
Today
— right now — you, as an Active member of AAPG, may follow the
blue "ballot box" on the AAPG Web site to the virtual voting booth
for AAPG officer elections.
No More
Excuses
If you're
feeling uninformed about the candidates, don't worry: Biographies
on all candidates are provided, as well as the duties and expectations
of each office.
Have you
yet to receive your paper ballot in the mail? You can still vote
today. There's a place in the ballot area to request the necessary
log-in details to permit you to cast your vote.
Received
your ballot, forgot you voted online and sent it anyway?
Not to
worry. Your paper ballot will override your electronic vote, so
you will have still only cast one vote.
By now
all members with e-mail have been notified and all paper ballots
have been sent. There are no more obstacles preventing members from
voting. The "snail mail" factor has been removed.
Now it's
a simple matter of motivation. So … do it!
You want
to upgrade your status from Associate to Active? Contact AAPG Member
Services at 1-800-364-AAPG (2274) or 1-918-584-2555 and discuss
how you may obtain Active status.
Good browsing!