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OSEA Board Election Campaign Guidelines

Campaign Guidelines for the OSEA Conference as specified in Board Policy, Section 103

For the purposes of these guidelines, campaigning shall be defined as any activity that may assist a candidate in becoming elected to an OSEA office.

  1. All OSEA members involved in the election process will conduct themselves in a positive manner. All activities will promote goodwill, unity and solidarity before, during and after the election.
  2. Candidates will become familiar with the OSEA Constitution, OSEA Board Policy and the Campaign Guidelines of OSEA.
  3. In accordance with federal law, all campaign costs, including materials and transportation, are an out-of-pocket expense for the candidate and may not be purchased with or reimbursed by OSEA funds.
  4. Candidates may request a copy of the OSEA annual officer directory through the OSEA state president. All candidates for a particular office will be provided exactly the same information.
  5. Chapter presidents are encouraged to afford all candidates equal access to their chapter membership.
  6. Candidates who campaign while attending any OSEA-sponsored meeting or event before Conference must do so at their own expense.
  7. Campaign displays must remain in the candidates designated area as determined by the Conference Committee. Tables will be allocated as candidate nominations are submitted to the Election Committee or are nominated from the Conference floor. Candidates will keep their table in an orderly fashion. Material will not be attached to the walls.
  8. At Conference there will be no campaigning at or near the voting location.
  9. At Conference candidates shall campaign only during recess or break periods.
  10. All candidates for a specific office will be entered into nomination by the Election Committee chair. There will be no introduction/nomination speeches.
  11. Each candidate shall be limited to a five- minute candidate speech to the delegates.
  12. Once all speeches for a specific office have been given, delegates will be given the opportunity to ask questions on a rotating basis of all candidates for that specific office.
  13. At Conference there will be no campaigning during zone caucus meetings.
  14. If there are questions concerning these guidelines, please direct any questions or concerns to the Election Committee chair.

It is expected that all delegates will adhere to these guidelines.

Publication in the OSEA Journal

If you met the March 1 nomination deadline, please send a color photo and a campaign statement of 150 words or less for publication in the spring issue of the Journal by the second Monday of March.

Send the statement and photo by Email to Maggie Karl or mail to 4735 Liberty Road S., Salem, OR 97302. Direct questions regarding the Journal to OSEA Communications Specialist Maggie Karl at 800-252-6732.

Candidate speeches

Each candidate will be introduced by the Election Committee chair and afforded up to five minutes to address the delegate body. A question and answer period will be allowed when all candidates for a particular office have spoken.

Campaign tables and materials

Declared candidates have the option to bring boards and/or other campaign materials to display. Each candidate will be assigned a table for their materials; tables will be shared by candidates. Materials will be unsecured when on the tables. No materials may be attached to the walls or doors of the site. No campaigning is allowed on the Conference floor. Campaign materials may not be placed on delegate tables.

Nominations

Candidate nominations may be made from the Conference floor on Friday prior to the conclusion of the first business session.

If elected to the OSEA Board of Directors:

  • Newly elected Board members will be installed at the end of the final business session. Dress in professional attire.
  • Please note, if elected and installed, you will become a member of the OSEA Board of Directors immediately. There will be an Executive Board meeting immediately following Conference at a time and location to be announced.
  • It is important you set aside time to attend the Board retreat, which is usually scheduled for summer. The exact dates will be set at the Board meeting immediately following Conference.