FROM: Jenny Jordan, Extension 4-H Specialist, Volunteer & Teen Programs

RE: Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors Nominations & Elections          For Program Printing: June 13, 2011
 

Your 4-H'ers have an incredible opportunity to nominate and elect 4-H'ers from all over the state to represent them and the 4-H program. The Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors is compromised of 4-H'ers nominated through application and elected by their peers during the State 4-H Council, June 24-26, 20111

4-H'ers interested in running for office should complete that attached nomination packet. The packet has four sections. Each section should be completed and returned together.  Sections three and four require signatures of the candidate and the county Extension agent as well as the parent (in section 4). In order for a candidate to run for office the packet must be turned in with original signatures. We can not accept faxed or electronic copies.

4-H'ers whose completed packets are returned to me before June 13 will be included in the candidate information books.  Each delegate at Council will have the opportunity, if they desire, to review the entire application of candidates.  Additionally, all those received prior to June 16th will be included in the Council program.  We will continue to accept nominations through the beginning of candidate orientation at State 4-H Council.  Therefore, applications can continue to be mailed to the Georgia 4-H Office or delivered to Council.  If a 4-H'er would like to be added to the ballot at Council, the completed application with original signatures is required before candidate orientation.

Please be sure that your nominees has read everything carefully. If you or your 4-H'er have questions, please let me know.  We are going to be very strict on original signatures. Please help us avoid a difficult situation and be sure 4-H'ers have completed nomination packets with original signatures in section three and four.

Please be sure that the candidate is familiar with campaign guidelines and procedures. Please be sure that you and the candidate have reviewed them carefully before State 4-H Council. On site campaigning will not be allowed before 5:30 p.m. on June 24th.  If you have 4-H'ers that stay over from camp, arrive early with a foods lab presentor or is competing in Dean's Awards please be sure that they are clear that campaigning can not begin at Council before 5:30.

We have made a change in this year's election that impacts campaigning. We will vote electronically and will have a campaign close time of 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25th.  At that time, all candidates will put down their signs and campaign paraphenial, change out of "costume" and no longer campaign for office.  We will not have candidates standing at the polls as voters enter as the voting will take place over a longer time period.  Candidate's campaign posters that are hung in the designated area will be displayed at the polls. Campaigning will resume for the district elections and candidates may choose to dress up or campaign again for this election.

Candidates are required to attend Candidate Orientation. Orientation is not optional. 4-H'er will need to bring any  music with them to orientation. Please keep in mind that one of the requirements for office is that the candidate's presentation has been previewed by the county Extension office prior to Council. Be sure you are aware of what your candidate will do for a campaign skit and that it meets all of the guidelines.  You will be signing the document stateing that this has been handled.

State 4-H Officer Training begins with the close of State 4-H Council and continues through Wednesday, June 29th. This year we will be Athens on the UGA campus for training and we will transport the newly elected officers to Athens.  4-H'ers will be picked up in Athens on Wednesday around 2 p.m.  It is very important that the new officers attend training. If your candidate knows of a conflict for this training, I must talk with the candidate or you prior to State 4-H Council and his/her seeking office.  We do not automatically allow elected officers to miss training. Please help your candidate understand that this conversation is very important prior to the nomination and election process.

Please contact me with any questions. We're looking forward to another great year of officers.