2012 election results for 2013 Talkboard
Nov 29, 2012, 6:46 am
#46
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When I first ran for TB there was a rule that said that at least one member had to be from outside the US/Canada.
The rule was not really necessary as there was already one such member on the board and Attorney28 and I were both elected, making non-North Americans 33% of TB, which actually resulted in Americans being under-represented in proportion to their membership on FT.
I thought the rule was undemocratic and unfair (even though I could be the beneficiary of it when I sought to run again). It seemed to me rather silly that you could have a result, when there are four openings on TB, like the following:
Philadelphia Joe: 1000 votes
New York Mary: 900 votes
Baltimore Melvin: 859 votes
Dallas Jim: 790 votes
Tel Aviv Yossi: 12 votes
Winners? Philadelphia Joe, New York Mary, Baltimore Melvin, Tel Aviv Yossi.
When I got onto TB I made a motion to abolish this rule. 5 members voted in favor, 3 against, 1 abstained. In those days, 6 "aye" votes were required for a motion to pass, so technically this one was defeated. Randy, however, saw that this was a fairer way to handle elections and put the rule into effect himself.
The rule was not really necessary as there was already one such member on the board and Attorney28 and I were both elected, making non-North Americans 33% of TB, which actually resulted in Americans being under-represented in proportion to their membership on FT.
I thought the rule was undemocratic and unfair (even though I could be the beneficiary of it when I sought to run again). It seemed to me rather silly that you could have a result, when there are four openings on TB, like the following:
Philadelphia Joe: 1000 votes
New York Mary: 900 votes
Baltimore Melvin: 859 votes
Dallas Jim: 790 votes
Tel Aviv Yossi: 12 votes
Winners? Philadelphia Joe, New York Mary, Baltimore Melvin, Tel Aviv Yossi.
When I got onto TB I made a motion to abolish this rule. 5 members voted in favor, 3 against, 1 abstained. In those days, 6 "aye" votes were required for a motion to pass, so technically this one was defeated. Randy, however, saw that this was a fairer way to handle elections and put the rule into effect himself.
I would be curious to know the demographics of what FT is made up of these days.
I still some day would love to see perhaps the following
3 USA members
2 Europe
1 Middle East
1 Asia
1 Africa
1 Australia/Pacific
or something similar
Nov 29, 2012, 6:56 am
#47
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@Dov: trying to think of a name for attorney..., ah football something, but never mind...
@jinxy: sounds like the complex way the non-permanent members of the security council are chosen
@jinxy: sounds like the complex way the non-permanent members of the security council are chosen
Nov 29, 2012, 6:57 am
#48
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Of course Carol could put this kind of system into place herself, but I wouldn't vote for a quota system. I agree with Dov -- it's simply not democratic, IMO.
Nov 29, 2012, 7:07 am
#49
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Again, if those people are capable of winning election then they deserve a slot on TB. If they aren't, they don't.
Of course Carol could put this kind of system into place herself, but I wouldn't vote for a quota system. I agree with Dov -- it's simply not democratic, IMO.
Of course Carol could put this kind of system into place herself, but I wouldn't vote for a quota system. I agree with Dov -- it's simply not democratic, IMO.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
Nov 29, 2012, 7:57 am
#50
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Now that I am back from the Caribbean and South America, I'd like to thank Spiff and bhatnasx for their time and effort, and to congratulate the newly elected TalkBoard members (and thank all who ran as part of their concern for the FT community).
Nov 29, 2012, 8:00 am
#51
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Of course you would say that RichMSN you are based in the US.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
And I don't even look at geography before I vote. I don't ignore those from outside the US and I don't vote for someone because they are from the US, either.
Nov 29, 2012, 8:14 am
#52
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Of course you would say that RichMSN you are based in the US.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
I think that perhaps the greater issue is how to include more people who want to give back to the FT community, rather than only having 9 TalkBoard positions that will open over a 2 year cycle. Yes, those people can volunteer to serve as moderators, but may or may not ever be accepted as one, since there's no stated policy for moderator terms/openings.
Nov 29, 2012, 10:53 am
#53
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This seems to exclude Canada and all of Latin America.
Nov 29, 2012, 11:21 am
#54
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Of course you would say that RichMSN you are based in the US.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
Perhaps similar feeling would be had if an Australian based FF forum did something similar, however as FT talks up being a global community..how about reflecting it within the talk board. And it has nothing to do with votes or winning an election.
The majority of people that vote (and it was a tiny number this year) will vote for US residents, especially if they know nothing about the system or what goes on (or even read the threads themselves) Some may just pick a random name.
However if it was truly opened up to reflect the entire world demographic, then I think a lot more people would vote.
Approximately 40% of the candidates were int'l-based, which I think the Community Director said was reflective of FT membership.
Speaking for myself, I didn't pay attention to where someone was based when I voted. I read their platform/candidate statements & I read their answers (for those who answered) in the Q&A. Those were more important to me in getting a grasp on the candidates & how I think they'd be as TB members than their location.
Also, in 2012 there were 5 location and/or airline forums created by TB. All 5 were international, not US-based, forums. In 2011, there were 6 location and/or airline/car rental forums created. 5 of 6 were international, not US-based, forums.
I don't think having US-based TB members has hindered the int'l FT community.
Cheers.
Nov 29, 2012, 11:26 am
#55
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If you've got suggestions beyond that to make it more 'in your face', I know the CommunityDirector would be glad to hear them.
Cheers.
Nov 29, 2012, 12:35 pm
#56
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Dec 2, 2012, 9:58 pm
#57
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I would have voted for the best candidates, no matter where they live if:
I had power during Hurricane Sandy.
I wasn't on vacation in LIM and EZE for 2 weeks.
4 weeks was a long time to be away from Flyertalk. I was almost cured.
dh
I had power during Hurricane Sandy.
I wasn't on vacation in LIM and EZE for 2 weeks.
4 weeks was a long time to be away from Flyertalk. I was almost cured.
dh
Dec 3, 2012, 12:29 am
#58
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Dec 4, 2012, 4:38 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Posts: 2,284
In this past election, I voted for 2 Americans and 2 non-Americans. One of the non-Americans I voted for I chose due to their answers in the Q&A forum. In past elections, I've voted for non-Americans due to being familiar with their posts in other boards around the site. I see a number of Australians, for example, posting in the UA forum.