The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2020 - 17

Conclusion
ATA's Board has modified the Elections
Policy three times in the space of just
one year. This clearly demonstrates the
importance of setting out explicit election
standards in the Bylaws to govern the
development of a coherent Elections
Policy. ATA's Bylaws, which supersede
any policies or guidelines, provide
structure and direction for the conduct
of Association business and guide the
development of policies that must be
harmonized with the Bylaws.
Having multiple candidates stand for
elective office will keep ATA strong and
relevant. It will incentivize future leaders to
listen to the membership and pay attention
to their opinions, concerns, and needs.
When members know that the election
process is democratic and competitive,
we are more likely to be involved and
participate in our Association.
ATA members deserve a democratic
election process and competitive elections.
The best way to ensure these will be in
place for future ATA elections of officers
and directors is to vote "For" on the
Multiple Candidate Bylaws Amendment.

OPPOSING RESOLUTION TO MANDATE
MULTIPLE CANDIDATES
Dorothee Racette
President/President-Elect (2009-2013);
Nominating and Leadership Development
Committee Chair (2013-2017)

David Rumsey
President/President-Elect (2013-2017);
Nominating and Leadership Development
Committee Chair (2017-)

Jiri Stejskal
President/President-Elect (2005-2009);
Nominating and Leadership Development
Committee Chair (2011-2013)

Tuomas Kostiainen
Nominating and Leadership Development
Committee Chair (2007-2011)

While we applaud the initiative of the
members who have proposed a resolution
to mandate multiple candidates for all
positions on ATA's Board of Directors,
including officers (treasurer, secretary, and
president-elect), we are concerned-as
former chairs of the Nominating and
www.atanet.org

Leadership Development Committee
and some ATA past presidents-that the
potential harm and practical challenges
involved with such a permanent change
may far outweigh any theoretical
benefits. We are not opposed to multiple
candidates competing for officer positions,
but requiring the Nominating and
Leadership Development Committee to
put forward multiple candidates is not
considered good practice for good reason.
The current Nominating and Leadership
Development Committee includes
members from the leadership of divisions,
certification, chapters, interpreting,
etc., representing a broad spectrum of
the Association. The committee is also
unique in that it is subject to a rigorous
schedule from the time it is appointed each
year until it must put forward a slate of
candidates for the Board.
ATA nominates multiple candidates for
directors every year, but while nominating
multiple candidates for officer positions
is also encouraged, it is not mandated.
Mandating multiple candidates for all
positions poses a number of particular

challenges. The first challenge is a matter
of numbers. In an ideal world, the
treasurer, secretary, and president-elect
will have had some Board experience,
so that they are familiar with the current
issues facing the Board. ATA's Board
of Directors consists of 12 members
plus the president. If all three officer
positions require at least two candidates,
the committee would have to identify
six appropriate candidates-half of the
Board-who are willing and able to take
on these additional responsibilities. In any
given year, there may be Board members
who are unable to run due to term limits
or Board members who just started on
the Board, which reduces the potential
number of candidates for officers further.
Besides Board experience, the
committee also employs a list of
demanding qualifications for officers,
who must demonstrate the right skills
and be able to dedicate substantial time
to their respective leadership role for a
term of at least two years, or even four
years in the case of the president-elect.
While it is possible for the committee
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The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2020

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