ORIGINAL: rsallen13
<SNIP>
Let me start by recommending that the current frame work for electing DVP and even the President needs to be changed to make it "easier"(really not the right word) for new blood to be elected. The current review process within the AMA to be qualfied for most of the posts, especially AMA President,is harder than running for the President of the United States.
I would change it to be; if you wish to run for an EC or higher you must have been a sitting club officer(Pres,VP, Sec Treasurer or Safety Officer), a Hall of Fame Member, a Contest Director, a Leader Member, a Life Member, or a National AMA Event Title Holder (excluding Junior Divisions). If you meet one of those criteria you qualify.
Why? As with any senior position you can surround your self with or reach out to people within the organization who have the skills in some of the lesser know or less popular aspects of our hobby (IE SIG's) when decisions or information is required. Also, those individuals that I listed above, by the nature of their activities, have shown an level of involement that I feel more than qualifies them to run.
As for the back ground and resume review that must be done; that is no longer nessesary because we have a paid staff in Muncie that is doing all of those function. We may have need those requirements a few years back when the rules were written and those talents were need because they where doing all of the work that Muncie now does.
Is there some background that needs to be done? Yes, we do not really want a Felon, Child molesting, cheat running AMA. But neither must the person have a Masters in Accounting and participated in all aspects of the hobby and like to build his/her own transmitter in their free time.
Thats my sugjestion any others?
I am curious why you want to make it so much more difficult to run for office than it already is. Here are the requirements for all AMA offices:
“To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA President, a
nominee must be a Leader member of the AMA and must previously
have served as a member of the Executive Council or as Associate
Vice President or as a Contest Board member for at least one year.
To be eligible to discharge the duties of an elected AMA officer other
than President, a nominee must be a Leader member of the AMA.
To be eligible to discharge the duties of an appointed AMA officer,
including Associate Vice President, Contest Board member, and
Contest Coordinator, an appointee must be a Leader member of the
AMA.”
Now, take into account that the requirement to be a leader member requires 3 years of membership in the AMA and either 3 leader members to sign you off OR any three open members and the rubberstamp approval of your VP. I have never heard of anyone being turned down for leader membership. If you have been a member for three years and want to be a leader member, go to the AMA webpage and download the application, fill it out, have any three AMA open members sign it, write a check and send it to your VP. Shortly, you will be a leader member.
No club offices, no contest, no nothing... and... yes... it is that easy.
The office of President does have other requirements, as noted above. I think that makes sense.
As recently as the last election, Mike Moss was not a leader member when he was nominated in D8 to run for VP. He completed the form and became one before the election. This has now been changed so that you must be an LM before being nominated.
Again, why do you want to make it harder?