There is one best procedure to use in electing officers. Many methods are available. Each organization should study carefully the various possibilities and adopt, previous to election time, the procedures that will best meet their individual needs. In most well established organizations, the election procedure is standardized and in written form as a part of the local bylaw. It is desirable for new organizations to try some method or methods for a period of time before adopting a procedure as a part of the bylaw.

Election procedures should be consistent with what we believe to be good in a democracy. They should be cooperatively developed and approved, honor the rights of individuals to vote for whom they consider best, and develop understanding concerning the methods as well as the persons involved in the election. The election procedures should result in choices that are intelligently made.

The time for the election of officers varies from organization to organization, depending upon the time for starting the new year. In student organizations that are associated with schools, it is generally a good practice to have elections in the spring. This allows the newly elected officers to be installed in a timely manner and makes it possible for the group to function during the summer and to be ready to begin the new school year. It also makes the transfer from the previous officers to the newly elected ones smoother.

Back to the Table of Contents

Home  Site Index   Search  Feedback  Guestbook

Syllabus  Written Assignments  Outside Lab Assignments  What is Leadership?  Self Concept   Parliamentary Procedure  Leadership Ideas  Win/Lose   Power  What is an Advisor?  What is a Program of Activities?  Effective Youth Organizations  Selecting/Electing Officers  Officer Guidelines

Send questions about this website to Denise Davies at ddavies@ag.arizona.edu.   For course information or questions not included in these pages contact Dr. James Knight. Copyright (c) 1998 Department of Agricultural Education, The University of Arizona.  Website version 1.2, last updated on Thursday, August 16, 2001.