1997 TeX Users Group election information

[barbara beeton]

	Notice regarding 1997 TeX Users Group election

The 1997 election for the TeX Users Group Board of Directors has
now ended. Since there were fewer nominated candidates than vacant
positions, in accordance with the Election Procedures, the candidates
who did submit nomination papers are declared elected.  No ballots
will be circulated.

The open positions, as announced, were President and six members
of the Board of Directors.

The following individuals will be taking positions on the Board
of Directors for 4-year terms ending in 2001:

    Donna Burnette
    Mimi Jett
    Patricia Monohon
    Arthur Ogawa
    Petr Sojka

In the absence of a ballot, the statements of candidacy which would
have appeared there will be published instead in TUGboat 18#1.

Four Board members whose terms were due to end in 1998 had agreed
that they would be willing for their terms to be extended to 1999
to accommodate a change in the election schedule from annually to
every two years (see the election announcement, TUGboat 17#3, p.240).
Had there been a ballot, their names would have been listed there
for confirmation by the membership.  However, in the absence of a
ballot, it is proposed that, in accordance with the Bylaws (Article
VII, Section 10), the incoming President confirm the extension
of their terms.  These Board members are:

    Barbara Beeton
    Karl Berry
    Judy Johnson
    Jiri Zlatuska

There is no candidate for TUG President.  This poses a problem.
Although the Bylaws and Election Procedures provide for the filling
of vacant Board positions by appointment, no provision exists for
the absence of a candidate for President.  There is not sufficient
time left before the annual meeting in July to solicit additional
candidates and circulate ballots.

In order to ensure that the necessary decisions are arrived at in
a democratic manner, and that the incoming Board has some say in
the matters which will affect them most directly, Michel Goossens,
the outgoing President, has appointed the new members to the Board
for a temporary period effective immediately, to expire when their
regular term begins.

It is proposed that individuals wishing to present themselves as
candidates for President do so in the following manner, with the
election be held during the annual TUG business meeting which will
take place during the TUG annual meeting in San Francisco
(July 28 - August 1).

Any TUG member in good standing who will be present at the annual
business meeting may submit a valid nomination form and supporting
statement (see the announcement in TUGboat 17#3 or the TUG Web pages,
http://www.tug.org) no later than Monday, July 28 (the first day
of the meeting), and be prepared to present his/her program at the
business meeting, (currently scheduled for Thursday, July 31).

(All TUG members are reminded that except for certain transactions
such as personnel matters, which legally are privileged, Board
meetings are open to members as observers).  The Board meeting is
scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27, at the main
meeting site; room details will be posted when available.  Candidates
for President are encouraged to attend.

Nomination forms and supporting documentation should be submitted to
the Elections Committee by one of two methods: (1) by July 15, sent
to the address below rather than to the address given in the TUGboat
announcement, or (2) July 26-28, brought to the meeting and delivered
in person to one of the undersigned committee members.  If sending
forms by mail or fax, please confirm this to the Committee at the
e-mail address below; electronic copies of candidates' statements
may also be sent to this address any time before the meeting.

In order for this business to be transacted legally, at least 50 TUG
members must be present to form a quorum (Bylaws, Article III, Section 6).
It is therefore very important for members to attend this meeting, in order
to help define the future of our organization.

				For the Elections Committee
				Sebastian Rahtz, Barbara Beeton

Address for submission of nominations for TUG President:
Barbara Beeton
TUG Elections Committee
American Mathematical Society
P.O. Box 6248
Providence, RI 02940
Fax: +1 401 331-3842
E-mail: tug-election at mail.tug.org