Distributed by Greg De Hoogh
FROM: Mensa Intl
Re: Results of Postal Ballot - Re Election
Ladies & Gentlemen
I am writing to advise that the International Board of Directors has concluded a postal ballot in connection with the current international election. I am forwarding a summary of the result of the voting for your attention.
The decision has been made to cancel the current international election, chiefly because the Election Committee recommended cancelling it. They reported during the election that two of three members of that committee were dissatisfied with the conduct of the election, which had been seriously problematic. After so advising, one member of that committee resigned from it, thus that resignation along with the tragic death of the former Chairman, meant the committee was no longer valid in composition according to the Constitution. With no valid committee in place to continue to manage the election, supervise counting, respond to any complaints or objections, etc, plus the suggested cancellation and the range of serious difficulties that had emerged, the IBD was asked to decide what to do. As noted, the election has now been cancelled.
Another Election Committee will be formed, and another election will be conducted, within one year from the appointment of the Committee.
This development is unfortunate for all concerned. However, this was the first attempt for a very long time by Mensa to hold an international election. It proved problematic, but the experience will be examined, the Election Committee members will make reports, and the next election will be prepared and conducted with benefit from this attempt.
Yours sincerely,
Godwin Zwanenburg,
Director of Administration
Mensa International Limited
Attached is the official result of the ballot.
To: IBD
From: Ed Vincent, Executive Director
Date: 22 May 1997
This is to advise that the following postal ballots have been approved.
Moved SCHULMAN, Seconded REMINE
1. That the current international election be declared null and void, due to the resignation and recommendations of the Election Committee members that the election procedures have been seriously flawed.
Approved. (EGGERTSON, KLEINJAN, ZWANENBURG opposed, GOULDER abstaining).
2. That a new Election Committee Chairman be appointed, with the brief to :
-appoint members of the Committee
-review the activities and issues of the previous Committee and related matters
-plan an international election, in connection with Constitutional rulings, and advise the IBD of such a plan prior to implementing the election
-conduct an election within the next calendar year
Approved. (EGGERTSON opposed)
3. That the current Executive Committee which was formally endorsed by the national Committees of Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, representing over 85% of the total Mensa membership, remain in office, serving with customary responsibility and authority, until such time as the next international election is concluded.
Approved. (EGGERTSON opposed, GOULDER, ZWANENBURG abstaining).
4. That the Director of Administration be directed to advise all Mensa Chairmen, appointees, national editors, and all candidates, of the decisions taken above.
Approved. (ZWANENBURG abstaining).
5. That the duly appointed Chairman of the International Election Committee be invited to attend the Hamburg IBD/IGC in October, to discuss election issues with delegates.
Approved. (EGGERTSON opposed, SUTINEN abstaining).
6. That the IBD express its gratitude to the members of the past Election Committee, for undertaking a huge and complex task, with good will and good sense, and for providing useful advice in connection with this matter.
Approved.
(Eggertson is the CEO of Mensa Canada. TE)