<div dir="ltr">Thanks Josh! <div><br></div><div>Taking a quick look at the past results:</div><div>  -- The number of voters for the President varies between 42 votes in 2012 and 109 in 2013. There is no clear trend in voter numbers.</div><div>  -- The positions of President, Vice President are typically elected uncontested or between two people. </div><div>      + There is usually a high degree of overlap between these candidates. As a result, apparently well-contested positions can</div><div>         in fact be uncontested as candidates are elected into other positions.</div><div>      + For example, once the President is elected, that candidate is disqualified from the other positions.</div><div>   -- There is a reasonable amount of &#39;renewal&#39; between years on average</div><div>   -- The &#39;Ordinary Committee Member&#39; (OCM) is the most heavily contested position</div><div><br></div><div>Discussion (not necessarily surprising in any way):</div><div>  -- The OCM position is the most attractive for first-time candidates</div><div>  -- The three key positions of President, Vice President and Secretary are usually allocated to a small pool of overlapping candidates, representing recognised members of the LA community. </div><div>  -- People tend to serve on the council for a relatively limited number of years. Burnout may be a factor here.</div><div>  -- 751 people voted in the 2013 membership survey. Around 12% of those members vote in elections (not be a strict subset).</div><div>  -- Membership in Nov 2014 was 3197. This list had 599 members.</div><div>  -- There is relatively little discussion or debate regarding the candidates or elections</div><div><br></div><div>Glib comments:</div><div>  -- I need to learn a lot more about how to scrape data into pandas dataframes</div><div>  -- Numbers don&#39;t really tell you a lot taken at face value</div><div>  -- I wonder what would happen if mandatory voting was introduced for members (not seriously proposing it, just curious)</div><div> </div><div>Conclusions:</div><div>  -- Vote early, vote often!</div><div>  -- It could be valuable to conduct some kind of discussion, AMA session or forum to meet the candidates. Especially for the OCM position which is usually more broadly contested.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 29 December 2014 at 14:55, Joshua Hesketh <span dir="ltr">&lt;<a href="mailto:josh@nitrotech.org" target="_blank">josh@nitrotech.org</a>&gt;</span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
  
    
  
  <div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
    I should have mentioned that to vote you need to go here:<br>
    <a href="https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=elections" target="_blank">https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=elections</a><br>
    <br>
    Where, incidentally, you can see the results from previous years as
    well as the number of voters ;-)<br>
    <br>
    Cheers,<br>
    Josh<div><div class="h5"><br>
    <br>
    <div>On 29/12/14 14:43, Tennessee
      Leeuwenburg wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite">
      <div dir="ltr">I wonder if there are any stats that can be
        revealed. How many people usually vote in the LA elections? How
        many votes have been cast so far?</div>
      <div class="gmail_extra"><br>
        <div class="gmail_quote">On 29 December 2014 at 14:02, Joshua
          Hesketh <span dir="ltr">&lt;<a href="mailto:josh@nitrotech.org" target="_blank">josh@nitrotech.org</a>&gt;</span>
          wrote:<br>
          <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
            <div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> Just a reminder to
              the linux-aus list that voting for 2015 council is
              currently open.<br>
              <br>
              Don&#39;t forget, your votes need to be /before/ you pack and
              leave for LCA. Don&#39;t put it off, vote now :-)<br>
              <br>
              Cheers,<br>
              Josh
              <div>
                <div><br>
                  <br>
                  <div>On 18/12/14 10:07, Linux Australia Secretary
                    wrote:<br>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
              <blockquote type="cite">
                <div>
                  <div>
                    <div>A courtesy note to indicate that voting is now
                      available. <br>
                      <br>
                      Kind regards, <br>
                      Kathy<br>
                      <br>
                      On 15/12/2014 1:57 PM, Linux Australia Secretary
                      wrote:<br>
                    </div>
                    <blockquote type="cite">
                      <div>Hi everyone, <br>
                        <br>
                        This is the final call for nominations for the
                        Linux Australia Council 2015. <br>
                        Nominations close on Wednesday 17th December. <br>
                        <br>
                        This email is also to advise that we are
                        altering the end date for voting to be Sunday
                        11th January 2015, to allow for scrutineering to
                        occur prior to announcement of results at the
                        AGM on Monday 12th January [1]. <br>
                        This still allows three and a half weeks for
                        voting, but as always feedback is warmly
                        welcomed. <br>
                        <br>
                        With kind regards, <br>
                        Kathy<br>
                        <br>
                        <br>
                        On 6/12/2014 9:00 PM, Linux Australia Secretary
                        wrote:<br>
                      </div>
                      <blockquote type="cite">
                        <div>Hi everyone, <br>
                          <br>
                          As per Josh&#39;s email below, this is a courtesy
                          note to advise that we are now a week and a
                          half from nominations closing. <br>
                          <br>
                          <br>
                          Currently, we have the following nominations:<br>
                          <a href="https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&amp;id=21" target="_blank">https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&amp;id=21</a><br>
                          <br>
                          <br>
                          President:<br>
                          3 members nominated, 1 with sufficient
                          nominations to be a candidate, 0 accepted
                          nominations<br>
                          <br>
                          Vice-President:<br>
                          3 members nominated, 1 with sufficient
                          nominations to be a candidate, 0 accepted
                          nominations<br>
                          <br>
                          Secretary: <br>
                          2 members nominated, 1 with sufficient
                          nominations to be a candidate, 0 accepted
                          nominations<br>
                          <br>
                          Treasurer: <br>
                          2 members nominated, 0 with sufficient
                          nominations to be a candidate, 0 accepted
                          nominations<br>
                          <br>
                          Ordinary Council Member (3 vacant positions):<br>
                          6 members nominated, 5 with sufficient
                          nominations to be a candidate, 1 accepted
                          nomination<br>
                          <br>
                          <br>
                          If you are thinking about nominating for
                          Council, or nominating someone else, now is
                          the time to act. <br>
                          If you have sufficient nominations to be a
                          Candidate, now is the time to accept your
                          nomination (see above link). You must accept
                          your nomination by 17th December to be
                          considered a Candidate. <br>
                          <br>
                          <br>
                          If you are having difficulty with your
                          MemberDB password or username, please do
                          contact me and we&#39;ll work through it. <br>
                          <br>
                          With kind regards,<br>
                          Kathy<br>
                          <br>
                          <br>
                          On 03/12/14 21:23, Joshua Hesketh wrote:<br>
                        </div>
                        <blockquote type="cite">
                          <pre>Hey all,

Just a note that nominations close in exactly 2 weeks!

There are still positions uncontested so if you know somebody interested
in being more involved or would like to be more involved yourself please
nominate soon (and yes, you can nominate yourself and it is encouraged).

If you have been nominated, please note that you must accept your
nomination before the 17th of Dec in order to run. If you intend on
standing for council the sooner the better :-)

Cheers,
Josh


On 24/11/14 20:39, Linux Australia Secretary wrote:
</pre>
                          <blockquote type="cite">
                            <pre>Dear Linux Australia Community,

Pursuant to clause (15) of the Linux Australia constitution [1] we
hereby declare an election open and call for nominations to the Linux Australia
Council for the term January 2015 to January 2016.

All office bearer and ordinary committee member positions are open for
election.

   * Nominations will open from 19 November until 17 December
   * Voting will open 17 December until 13 January 2015
   * Results will be announced at the AGM in Auckland at <a href="http://linux.conf.au" target="_blank">linux.conf.au</a> on or
     after 14 January

The election can be viewed here:
<a href="https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&amp;id=21" target="_blank">https://www.linux.org.au/membership/index.php?page=view-election&amp;id=21</a>

*What do I need to do?*

First of all, make sure your details are correct in MemberDB [2]

If you wish to nominate, identify the positions you wish to nominate for
and get an understanding of what they involve. Think about what you
might bring to the role and prepare a short pitch. Then, accept the
nomination you&#39;ve been given by clicking the &#39;Accept nomination&#39; link.

If you wish to nominate another person for a position, you may wish to
contact them first and have a chat to make sure they&#39;re happy being
nominated. Then follow the &#39;Nominate&#39; link to nominate them.

Once voting is open, you will be able to vote for candidates. Results
will be announced at the AGM at <a href="http://linux.conf.au" target="_blank">linux.conf.au</a>.


*Why should I nominate?*

Being a member of Linux Australia Council is a fun way to meet new
people, work on exciting projects and expand your skill base. It gives
you excellent transferable skills to help build your career, and allows
you to grow your professional network. It looks great on a CV, and is
also a chance to give back to the vibrant Linux and open source
ecosystem in Australia and globally. If you&#39;re passionate about Linux
and open source, it&#39;s a great opportunity to help drive and steer
Australia&#39;s contribution in this field.

The roles do require a time commitment - generally around 2-3 hours per
week - so please consider this with your nomination.

[1]<a href="http://www.linux.org.au/constitution" target="_blank">http://www.linux.org.au/constitution</a>
[2]<a href="http://www.linux.org.au/membership" target="_blank">http://www.linux.org.au/membership</a>

As always, your feedback and questions are warmly welcomed. If you&#39;d
like to have a chat with anyone on Council around what it involves,
please do make contact.

With kind regards,
Kathy

</pre>
                          </blockquote>
                          <br>
                          <fieldset></fieldset>
                          <br>
                          <pre>_______________________________________________
committee mailing list
<a href="mailto:committee@lists.linux.org.au" target="_blank">committee@lists.linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/committee" target="_blank">http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/committee</a>
</pre>
                        </blockquote>
                        <br>
                        <br>
                        <pre cols="72">-- 
Kathy Reid
Secretary
Linux Australia

<a href="mailto:secretary@linux.org.au" target="_blank">secretary@linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://linux.org.au" target="_blank">http://linux.org.au</a>



Linux Australia Inc
GPO Box 4788
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia

ABN 56 987 117 479</pre>
                        <br>
                        <fieldset></fieldset>
                        <br>
                        <pre>_______________________________________________
committee mailing list
<a href="mailto:committee@lists.linux.org.au" target="_blank">committee@lists.linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/committee" target="_blank">http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/committee</a>
</pre>
                      </blockquote>
                      <br>
                      <br>
                      <pre cols="72">-- 
Kathy Reid
Secretary
Linux Australia

<a href="mailto:secretary@linux.org.au" target="_blank">secretary@linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://linux.org.au" target="_blank">http://linux.org.au</a>



Linux Australia Inc
GPO Box 4788
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia

ABN 56 987 117 479
</pre>
                    </blockquote>
                    <br>
                    <br>
                    <pre cols="72">-- 
Kathy Reid
Secretary
Linux Australia

<a href="mailto:secretary@linux.org.au" target="_blank">secretary@linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://linux.org.au" target="_blank">http://linux.org.au</a>



Linux Australia Inc
GPO Box 4788
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia

ABN 56 987 117 479
</pre>
                    <br>
                    <fieldset></fieldset>
                    <br>
                  </div>
                </div>
                <pre>_______________________________________________
announce mailing list
<a href="mailto:announce@lists.linux.org.au" target="_blank">announce@lists.linux.org.au</a>
<a href="http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/announce" target="_blank">http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/announce</a>
</pre>
              </blockquote>
              <br>
            </div>
            <br>
            _______________________________________________<br>
            linux-aus mailing list<br>
            <a href="mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au" target="_blank">linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au</a><br>
            <a href="http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/linux-aus" target="_blank">http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/linux-aus</a><br>
            <br>
          </blockquote>
        </div>
        <br>
        <br clear="all">
        <div><br>
        </div>
        -- <br>
        <div>--------------------------------------------------<br>
          Tennessee Leeuwenburg<br>
          <a href="http://myownhat.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://myownhat.blogspot.com/</a><br>
          &quot;Don&#39;t believe everything you think&quot;</div>
      </div>
    </blockquote>
    <br>
  </div></div></div>

</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">--------------------------------------------------<br>Tennessee Leeuwenburg<br><a href="http://myownhat.blogspot.com/">http://myownhat.blogspot.com/</a><br>&quot;Don&#39;t believe everything you think&quot;</div>
</div>