As a result of feedback received from players about the proposed voting process for the new UKBGF board, a number of changes have been made. The final amended process is described below.
As previously announced, following the success of the 2014 UK Open the current UKBGF board feel that the time is right to move to a 100% elected federation. We want the UKBGF to be fully democratic and to be owned and represented by its members. The new UKBGF Board will decide the future constitution of the organisation, membership criteria, dues and all other aspects of the UKBGF although it is initially envisaged that the first elected board will sit for two years. The following process and timetable will be used to elect the new UKBGF board…
29th October onwards: Final process emailed to mailing lists and posted online.
29th October to 9th November: Self-nominations submitted.
14th November to 14th December: Voting.
15th December: Votes to be scrutinised by Julian Fetterlein, who is not standing for election but is acting as the independent arbiter. The results will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.
The same eligibility requirements apply for voting and for self-nominating as a member of the board. To be eligible for either, a player must satisfy all three conditions below. In cases of doubt about eligibility, the existing UKBGF board in conjunction with the independent arbiter will decide, taking advice from others as appropriate.
To be eligible to vote or stand for election, a player:
- must have either played live backgammon in the UK, or played backgammon online, during the last 18 months;
- must be known within the UK backgammon community; and
- must either be a UK citizen, or be resident in the UK for the foreseeable future.
Nominees must confirm their eligibility and submit answers to the following 4 questions and optionally provide any relevant additional comments (each answer, and the additional comments, may be no longer than 500 words).
- Why do you want to stand for the board of the UKBGF?
- How much time are you prepared to devote to the UKBGF over the next two years?
- What are your plans for the UKBGF over the next two years?
- Why should people vote for you?
- Any other comments that you feel relevant.
Nominees should email their responses to contact@ukbgf.com by midnight on the 9th November along with their full name, address, a contact phone number and a good quality jpeg photo.
All nominations received will be published online at ukbgf.com by 14th November to permit voters ample opportunity to consider the nominees’ responses before deciding on their votes.
Voters will vote via the ukbgf.com website. Voters will also need to submit their full name, address, telephone number and email for verification purposes and to ensure probity. Further evidence may be requested in cases of doubt regarding eligibility. Contact details will be retained by the UKBGF and will not be disclosed to other persons or organisations. A voter may request the deletion of personal details, except for email address, after completion of the election process.
Voters will be asked to vote for up to seven candidates ranking them from 1st choice to 7th choice. It will be permissible to cast fewer than seven votes, for example: first, second and third choices only.
Candidates will receive 7 points for being a 1st choice through to 1 point for being a 7th choice.
The seven candidates with the most points will be elected to the board.
The board will elect their Chair and vice-Chair.
The board will sit for 2 years and then must go to the membership for further elections, subject to any constitutional changes decided upon by the elected board in due course.
END OF PROCESS
Any questions about the election process should be emailed to contact@ukbgf.com Alternatively public comments may be made on this blog.
– The current UKBGF Team
I agree that there is a very respectable number of candidates but I was sad to see that there were so few of our northern friends that put themselves forward. There are many clubs in the north that run very successful tournaments and thriving communities of backgammon players. I feel that we will miss their input.
A very respectable number of candidates!
By midnight last night we had 15 self-nominations for the UKBGF Board Elections. Some of these candidates still need to supply additional information and/or photographs. This information will be accepted today, as will any new self-nominations, providing they are complete, and are submitted with the necessary jpeg photograph of the candidate.
I will post another comment on this blog when details of all the candidates are published. For prompt notification of this, please tick the box below ‘Please notify me of follow-up comments by email’. Voting is scheduled to start this Friday. However, please bear with me as I am reliant on the availability of my ‘technical team’!
For those who are considering submitting self nominations for the UKBGF elections, here are a few things to note:
1. The answers to the questions and the additional comments which you are invited to submit to support your nomination can be as short as you like. A maximum of 500 words is specified for each answer but there is no minimum.
2. I have prepared a summary of where the UKBGF is now, detailing its assets, liabilities and progress on various fronts. Should you wish to receive this document to help you make up your mind about whether or not to stand, or to give you background information for your vision for the future of our Federation, please email contact@ukbgf.com to request it.
3. If you are still unsure, please do stand if you feel you can make a useful contribution to the Federation. Alternatively, if you feel that you have something to offer but do not want to commit to being a UKBGF board member, please get in touch to volunteer your services. Everyone within the organisation is a volunteer and all offers of help are greatly appreciated.
4. You have until this Sunday (9th November) to submit your nomination so please don’t leave it until the last minute. If you have any queries about the process please email us during the next couple of days – this weekend is NOT a good time to ask procedural questions!
See: http://backgammonlondon.weebly.com/live-in-london.html
A fully independent UK national BG organisation is very welcome. I hope those elected remember that for backgammon to expand successfully in this country the organisation has to represent players of all levels. Tournament entry fees should not be weighted in favour of those who are willing and able to pay higher fees thereby generating smaller numerical and what would become more exclusive tournaments for the few.
An example of a very successful tournament was the London live event this weekend hosted and excellently run by Sean Williams.
I know the “beginners” division at the UK Open in September was much appreciated as well – it’s very important that newcomers can put a toe in the competitive waters without big financial outlay or the disappointment of drawing a Giant in round 1 and going straight home!
Well said Danny and Julia,
It is essential that players of ALL abilities and incomes are somehow catered for. We were all beginners once. Live in London has always been a great event for players of all abilities and very friendly also and there is no reason why this cannot be the case with every event.
I am also a huge fan of Sean Williams approach with the London Open. To offer a free entry event encourages everyone and also gives players of all abilities the ‘opportunity’ of playing against one of the giants, which also gives those who consider themselves as beginners the chance of becoming ‘giant killers’! The inclusion of a Super Jackpot, still encourages the big money players to come along.
Congratulations to all concerned for even getting this far! Ever since I started to play bg 25 years ago I have wanted to see this and I look forward to the opportunity to vote. Can’t wait!