Super-Delegates
The NYSYR Bylaws say "Elected Officers of the NYSYR shall be considered “super-delegates” and shall have one (1) vote each at any meeting, but not at the biennial convention."
The Bylaws go on to say "All voting by any member club shall be by unit rule determined by a caucus of the delegates belonging to the member."
At the meeting in Orange County more than 1/2 of the live-bodies present were officers of the NYSYR and at least 7 could have voted as super-delegates. At a meeting where only 24 or so votes were cast by those actually present almost 1/3 of all votes cast could have not been bound by unit rule.
[UPDATE]
Of the 7 officers that could have been super-delegates only 1 voted as such due to their home club's failure to submit a delegate list.
Bylaws: Super-delegates cannot also be delegates for the member club to whom they belong and cannot hold the proxies for those delegates. However, they may give up their “super-delegate” status to become a delegate of their club without giving up the office that gives them status as a super-delegate.
In addition the "officers" meet prior to every general meeting of the NYSYR to discuss what and how they will be voting on any given topic when the unwashed masses come in for the general meeting.
Regardless of how the duly elected or selected delegates from a county club decide to vote during their caucus, super-delegates can cast their vote for whatever they wish.
So which political party utilizes this system of super-delegates? You probably guessed it- the Democratic Party!
Excerpts from: http://uspolitics.about.com/od/2008elections/tp/super_delegates.htm
The Democratic Party has three types of delegates; two types are elected at the state level. The third is less well publicized or understood: the super-delegate.
The Democratic party also has a third type: super-delegates. A super-delegate is a leader in the National Democratic Party who has a vote at the national convention; they not selected by state party members.
In 2008, a candidate needs 2,025 votes to win the Democratic presidential nomination. There are about 850 super-delegates.About 1/3!!!
A delegate is elected or selected by a county club to represent them at a meeting of the NYSYR. Since they are NOT individuals and actually representatives of their home club they are NOT entitled to a secret vote or ballot.
Delegates at political conventions or legislative bodies DO NOT have secret ballots. The mere thought that a delegate should be able to cast a secret vote against or in favor of something is anti-democratic (SMALL D!). It isn't surprising that the vast majority of NYSYRs believe they are entitled to cast their votes secretly.
It is rather cowardly if you ask us.
Delegate Lists
The NYSYR Bylaws say "All counties shall indicate at least 72 hours before any meeting or the biennial convention the name, address and telephone number of the delegates and alternate delegates it is sending in person to represent that member at the meeting or convention, the name, address and telephone numbers of those attending by proxy and who is holding that proxy. The member shall also indicate the name of the “contact” or “head” delegate. Failure to do so will result in the delegate(s) not being able to vote at the meeting or the biennial convention, although the member will be considered present for quorum purposes."
If the above is the rule then why are delegate lists allowed to be amended DURING meetings of the NYSYRs? What is the purpose of sending a delegate list in advance?
How can someone know or even anticipate how many delegates will be in attendance at any NYSYR meeting? How can the same know or anticipate how many NYSYR officers will decide to detach themselves from their home-county delegate list and vote as a super-delegate?
The answer is you can't.
It has been said many times and in many ways, the NYSYRs is a club of the board, by the board, and for the board.
John Greene is the Cowardly National Committeeman. He made a fool of himself in Orange County by standing up and stating things that couldn't be proven in his own bylaws. lol.
ReplyDeleteWasn't he supposed to run for Chair last year? Why didn't he?
Guess time (or the Watch) will tell..
You guys should take a closer look at the Manhattan GOP. I heard that they were basically disbanded by the NY State GOP for failing to qualify the minimum number of County Committee members.
ReplyDeleteThis is especially interesting because Jason Weingartner boasted at the NYSYR meeting in Orange County that his home club, the NYC YRs (he lives in Queens- Queens has no YR club...), has hundreds of dues-paying members.
Did any petition? Did any get on County Committee? Are they a real club?
You forgot to mention that he was the only NYYRC "delegate" in attendance at the meeting in Orange County and we don't believe he carried any proxies.
DeleteShould there be an amendment to eliminate super delegates and attempts to use the secret ballot within the YRs? Has anyone made a cogent argument for either policy?
ReplyDeleteThese are two honest issues that should be discussed in more depth, and changed in the governing documents if necessary.
I can give you an answer about the "delegate list." But you may not like it. It was instituted years ago but has nothing to do with voting (which is why amended "delegate lists" are sometimes (often?) voted on in meetings.)
ReplyDeleteThe "delegate list" is a way of getting RSVP numbers in advance of a meeting or event, so that the caterers or restaurant can be given a number to expect. To use the recent Orange County meeting as an example, it would help DS and others determine: plan for 25 for lunch. Not 15 or 35. There is the proverbial "stick" of not being eligible to vote that should encourage chapters to submit their accurate lists.
At some point in the more distant past, before Paypal, the organization decided that basing numbers given to food providers upon checks received was suboptimal because of the number of walkups the days of the meetings.
Is this good governance or good policy? Maybe not. Should the "delegate list" requirement be eliminated or replaced with something different? Or should the current rules be enforced more rigidly by someone loudly objecting the next time the list is amended at a state meeting? Maybe others on the Watch have some constructive suggestions.
Yours,
Old Man Winter
"Someone should loudly object"
DeleteFirst they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.