Board of Directors Approve Election Reformation Committee’s Recommendations

A five-person ad hoc Election Reformation Committee was approved at the July Board meeting to propose comprehensive revisions to the USATT election procedures. The recommended revisions were due to the Board no later than September 1, 2000. The committee consisted of Wendell Dillon (Chair), Amy Feng, Jimmy McClure, and Neil Smyth. The committee referenced the current Standing Rules for the Nominating/Elections Committee, Jimmy McClure’s 3-page document, and Sheri Pittman’s 14-page proposal. The following recommendations were approved at the Board of Director’s Meeting in San Diego, November 16-19, 2000, and is effective in year 2001:

1. The eight (8) elected Board members will be elected for four-year terms. One-half (four members) of the Board to be elected at one time. The elections will be held in even-numbered years, with officers to take office on December 1 of the election year.

2. The President, Secretary, and 2 Vice-Presidents will be elected in Olympic years. The Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, and 2 Vice-Presidents will be elected in other even years.

3. Ballots will be mailed in early September and returned and counted no later than mid-October.

4. The next election will be held in the fall of 2001 to elect the President, Secretary, and 2 Vice Presidents. These officers would serve a three-year term until the 2004 election. The other officers will be elected in 2002 to serve a four-year term until the 2006 election.

5. Current serving officers will continue in their present positions until the new Board takes office in December 2001. The new Board would elect an Executive Vice-President and Treasurer to serve until those officers are elected by the membership in 2002.

6. All eight (8) elected Board members will be elected at-large.

7. The President appoints the Community-Based Programs Representative with concurrence of the Board. The term of the office will be 2 years.

8. No change is recommended relating to the election of athlete representatives.

9. The Nominating committee submits its report of candidates to the Board no later than July 1 of election year.

10. Candidates by petition must submit 150 signatures on approved forms to the Nominating Chairman no later than August 5. The committee will report the list of names with the required number of signatures to the Board by September 1.

11. Minor changes are proposed for the election of Olympic and National Athlete Representatives. The Olympic Representative will be elected before the U.S. Open. The male and female National Athlete Representatives will be elected with the regular elections. All elective offices will begin December 1 of the election year.