In June the NAS Board of Directors created a task force to examine the process by which nine of its 36 members are nominated by the chapters on a regional basis -- a process in effect since 1988.

The Regional Board-member Election Process Task Force consists of eight present and former chapter leaders, three of whom have also served on the NAS Board: Art Feinstein (CA), Dave Pardoe (MD), Dorothy Poulson (MT), Bill Ross (Chair; CT), Ruth Russell (ex-officio; AZ), Carmen Santasania (PA), Bruce Walgren (WY), and Liz Woedel (OH).

Currently, chapter-nominated board members are selected from each of NAS's nine regions. However, regional offices are being gradually dissolved in favor of state offices. Therefore, the Task Force may examine the configuration of the board-member regions, looking at the number of chapters and members in each, as well as geographic and other factors.

Other questions to be addressed include:

• How to encourage more chapter leaders to be NAS Board candidates
• How to increase chapter participation in the voting
• Does the timing of the election process create problems?
• Should chapters continue to be granted ballots (1, 3, or 5) based on their size?
• How should tie votes be resolved?
• When there are multiple candidates and none receives a majority, should there be a "run-off" election?
• How can candidates make their qualifications known to all chapters in their regions?
• Should chapter votes be public?

Your Input Needed

Task Force members have considerable experience with NAS elections, but they still need ideas and suggestions from you: Why would or wouldn't (or, did or didn't) you decide to be a candidate; why did your chapter choose not to vote; what should or shouldn't be changed, or how you might resolve the questions listed above. The Task Force wants to hear from you, but needs your comments PROMPTLY, so that it can discuss alternatives, prepare recommendations, obtain the approval of the full Board, and report to the chapters and membership early next year. There are several ways to provide input:

Best: E-MAIL all the Task Force members simultaneously on the Internet; use the address: REGIONAL-ELECTION-COMMITTEE@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG;

FAX your message to the Chapter Services office: 717/763-4981, for relay to Task Force members;

MAIL your message to: NAS Chapter Services, 1104 Fernwood Ave., #300; Camp Hill, PA 17011-6912, for copying and distribution.

This is your chance to make a difference in the member selections process.
Please respond as soon as possible, or by January 15th, at the latest.