Colleagues, past ICGI elections have been subject to several challenges including 1) the ‘nomination to candidate’ process and 2) voter eligibility. Difficulties have arisen due to too many candidates being listed for a single position and voting eligibility irregularities related to membership. Each of the three proposed amendments have been approved by a majority vote of the ICGI Executive Steering Committee.
Members of ICGI are asked to vote one of the three options (Agree/Against/Abstain) for each amendment.
The first amendment seeks to clarify the process used to determine nominees and candidates for all elected positions (workgroup Co-Chairs and Overall Co-Chair).
The second amendment seeks to resolve voting irregularities by providing the ICGI Executive Steering Committee the authority to establish paid membership. Note this does not institute a paid membership. Paid membership would require a majority vote of the ICGI Executive Steering Committee.
The third amendment seeks to set in place an annual tool to verify membership status prior to elections.
Amendment 1.
Proposal is to modify Article VII. 1. (a) to establish a maximum number of candidates for each elected position.
This is an amendment to Article VII. 1. (a)
Current text: The ICGI Steering Committee via the Chair will circulate a call for nominations by email to the members in January. The ICGI Chair will confirm the nominees' eligibility and willingness to serve before posting the ballots.
Amended text: The ICGI Steering Committee via the Chair will circulate a call for nominations by email to the members in January. The ICGI Chair will confirm the nominees' eligibility and willingness to serve before posting the ballots. In consultation with the Co-Chair, the ICGI Chair will select up to three nominees to list on the official ballot for each position.
Amendment 2.
Proposal is to modify Article IV. (4.) to establish annual dues for membership in ICGI. Upon membership approval (by vote), the amount of dues will be determined by majority vote of the ICGI Executive Steering Committee.
This is an amendment to Article IV (4.).
Current text:
4. There are presently no dues for membership in ICGI. A change in this policy would be subject to revision of the Constitution as specified in Article VIII.
Amended text:
4. The ICGI Executive Steering Committee has authority to establish an annual dues payment to be an active, voting member of ICGI. The amount will be determined by a majority vote of the ICGI Executive Steering Committee.
Amendment 3.
Proposal is to modify Article IV. (6.) verification of membership status by 12/31 of each year.
This is an amendment to Article IV (6.).
Current text:
6. The membership list is maintained and updated by ICGI's Website/Membership Coordinator and will be accessible at the ICGI website.
Amended text:
6. The membership list is maintained, updated, and verified (by December 31 annually) by ICGI's Website/Membership Coordinator and will be accessible at the ICGI website.
TO VOTE, please log-in your ICGI account, then from the upper-right of the page, click on 'Vote HERE' under 'ICGI 2023 Amandments'.
- If you forget your ICGI username and/or password
You can reset your password by clicking on the word 'Login' from CottonGen Home (http://www.cottongen.org), then select 'Request new password' and follow the instructions.
- If log-in but receiving message saying 'you don't have permission' - you need to do follows:
Click on 'My account' and select ‘Edit My Profile Information’, then go to bottom of the page, check the box 'ICGI Voting Member', and Save.
- If you need further help about log-in or vote, please Contact us
Regards,
___________________________________
B. Todd Campbell, Ph.D.
Research Geneticist
Chair, ICGI
USDA-ARS, Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center