To: UNOLS Council
From: 2000 Nomination Committee ( Flagg, Ljunggren, and Reimers)
Subject: Proposed changes to the UNOLS Charter to facilitate the smooth transition of the Chair position and to facilitate the election of qualified individuals.
Background
The nomination committee, with the help of the UNOLS office, has solicited nominations from the UNOLS membership for the open Chair, Vice Chair, and Council positions. From the nominations, a slate of candidates for election at the 2000 Annual Meeting has been assembled and forwarded to member institutions. The process has been considerably more arduous than we would have guessed at the outset. The nomination committee and UNOLS secretaries have discussed amongst ourselves the difficulties in getting candidates for the Chair and Vice Chair positions. It appears to us that there is a clear reluctance in the community to step forward for these position which we do not think is entirely attributable to the workload of suitably experienced individuals. From these discussions comes the suggestion we adopt a scheme similar to that used by the oceanographic associations and establish a 'Chair-Elect' position. After 2 or 3 years, the Chair-Elect would, upon confirmation, automatically become the new Chair upon the election of another Chair-Elect. It is also suggested that we establish a post of "Chair- Emeritus" who could provide sage advice as needed. This approach would address a number of issues. First, it does not pitch a new and perhaps less experienced person immediately into the position of reacting to the funding agencies, running meetings, and giving testimony. Second, by providing this apprenticeship period, we can nominate people who we think have the stature to make good advocates for UNOLS and the oceanographic community even if they don't have a long background in UNOLS. Thirdly, it is less likely that we would encounter such a reluctance on the part of the community to be nominated for the Chair position. And lastly, at the time of election there would be a real election and put-up condidates would not be needed to meet the letter of the UNOLS Charter for at least two candidates for each position.
Draft Proposed Charter Changes
4 a. The UNOLS organizations shall include a Chair-Emeritus, an elected Chair and Chair-Elect, ...
4 bb. The Chair-Emeritus position is a voluntary position occupied by the last former Chair and whose role is to insure continuity and provide advice on issues before UNOLS to the Chair as needed or requested.
4 c. The Chair-Elect supports the Chair in ....
4 e. 2nd para
The Executive Committee consists of the UNOLS Chair, Chair-Elect and ...
5. b The UNOLS Chair and Chair-Elect shall be elected from among candidates affiliated with any UNOLS member institution. The term of office shall be three (?) years. Upon confirmation by the membership at the Annual Meeting, the Chair-Elect will assume the duties of Chair at the end of the three (?) year term, and a new Chair-Elect will be elected. At the conclusion of their term, the Chair will automatically be appointed to the post of Chair-Emeritus.