| GANS Campaign Regulations Adapted with permission from the National Student Nurses' Association's Campaign Regulations - September, 2002 |
| CAMPAIGN ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL CANDIDATES WILL CONDUCT THEIR CAMPAIGNS IN AN HONEST AND ETHICAL MANNER, WITH PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION FOR THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF FELLOW CANDIDATES. The purpose of GANS' Campaign Regulations is to assist members running for state office and attending the GANS Annual Convention to conduct their campaign in a way that will provide equal opportunity for candidates to inform members of their qualifications. 1. DEFINATION OF CAMPAIGNING Campaigning is defined as the use of verbal or written materials for the purpose of: A. Presenting the personal qualifications and accomplishments of the candidates; B. Discussing a candidate's stand on issues; C. Discussing a candidate's goals and objectives. Campaigning does not include any portion of the application proces as defined by GANS. Campaigning does not prohibit a candidate from addressing an issue other than their candidacy at appropriate hearings, forums, caucuses or meetings. 2. CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN MANAGERS A. Candidates may choose to have one campaign manager and one alternate to handle his/her campaign. B. Only one campaign manager at a time is permitted to assist the candidate in the Campaign Headquarters. C. No campaign manager may work for more than one candidate. D. All campaign managers must be GANS members. Penalty for violation: removal of campaign materals and campaign managers from campaign headquarters 3. PRE-CONVENTION CAMPAIGNING A. Prior to the selection of the slate of candidates, no potential candidates are permitted to campaign. B. After a slate is selected and officially announced, only the candidates on the slate may campaign via mail, phone, and computer. GANS takes no responsibility for publicity materials distributed by a candidate. Candidates who distribute materials do so at their own risk. 4. CANDIDATES NOMINATED FROM THE FLOOR A. Persons anticipating nomination from the floor are not permitted to campaign prior to being nominated, and are not permitted to release any campaign materials prior to eligibility verification and being given their official table assignment. Assignments must be given prior to the next scheduled Meet the Candidates or Candidates and House of Delegate Session. B. A candidate nominated from the floor must give his/her Application for State Office and supporting credentials for eligibility to a member of the Nominating Committee. Eligibility must be verified, prior to be nominated. C. Candidates who are transferring schools, and graduates of associate degree and diploma schools who are planning to enter baccalaureate programs, must have written proof of acceptance to the new school. D. Candidates may be nominated from the floor at the first business meeting on Thursday for any elected office. Nominations will be closed on Friday morning with the exception of positions with fewer than two candidates. Candidates running from the floor must have met the conditions stated above. 5. WRITE-IN CANDIDATES Although not permitted to campaign, write-in candidates are allowed. Write-in Candidates must obey all rules of Campaign Regulations and ethics. Write-in candidates must meet all eligibility requirements as specified in the GANS bylaws. 6. CANDIDATES AS DELEGATES The GANS Board places no restriction on the dual role of candidate-delegate; however, be aware both roles have significant participation requirements. 7. CANDIDATES' BIOGRAPHIES Each candidate's application form will be available for inspection in Campaign Headquarters throughout the convention and will be posted outside the polling place. Candidates on the slate will be presented in appropriate GANS publications. 8. CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS A room in the convention hall or hotel will be designated as Campaign Headquarters. All candidates, whether placed on the slate by the Nominating and Elections committee or nominated from the floor, will be assigned in a place in the headquarters. Only GANS members, and GANS staff on official business, will be allowed in Campaign Headquarters. 9. CAMPAIGNING AT CONVENTION A. Each candidate may have one poster, no larger than 36: x 48:, which is placed in the Campaign Headquarters. Equipment and place for display of the poster are provided. B. During the convention, campaigning is prohibited at the Registration Area, focus sessions, and in the House of Delegates. Boundaries where campaigning is prohibited will be set by the Nominating and Elections Committee prior to the first candidates meeting. C. GANS and the convention properties will not be responsible for materials left in campaign headquarters. D. Verbal campaigning may not be done at mandatory delegate meetings or program sessions, with the exception of official meetings scheduled for the purpose of campaigning. E. During the convention, no campaign materials may be distributed at any time in the House of Delegates or in the Candidates' Forums. F. As GANS is a student organization and to provide equal opportunity for all eligible members from every chapter, the Nominating and Elections Committee strongly suggests limiting expenses on campainging. 10. CANDIDATES' FORUM A. Following the close of nominations, the candidates are presented to the House of Delegates. This includes candidates already on the slate and those nominated from the floor. B. During the Candidates' Forum, candidates for all offices, except President, will have a total of two minutes to present their personal statement, and up to two minutes for impromptu questioning. C. Candidates may use notes for impromptu questions. Immediately following the personal statement and before impromptu question are asked, the candidate must remove all notes and hand them to the Nominating and Elections Committee. D. Only the candidates may speak on their own behalf, unless thee is illness or an equally good reason for their absence. The Nominating and Elections Committee will decide if the absence is justifiable and, if so, will present the candidate's remarks. If possible, a response to an impromptu question will be recorded and played. E. This meeting is mandatory for all delegates. 11. PRESIDENTIAL PRESENTATION AND DEBATE A. Candidates for President shall present a three-minute statement of introduction, and up to five minutes for impromptu questioning. B. There will be a question and answer session on "Running for President of GANS". These questions will be selected by the Nominating and Elections Committee. (Note: all candidates shall be given one minute to respond to each question. The number of questions will be based on time and the number of candidates.) C. A series of questions on the debate topic will be developed by the Nominating and Elections Committee, the exact content of which shall remain confidential until the time of the debate. D. The number of questions asked during the debate will equal the total number of Presidential candidates. One question will be asked candidate who will have two minutes to respond. All other presidential candidates will have one minute to respond to the candidate's answer. E. Each candidate will be allowed a two-minute summation at the conclusion of the debate. F. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Elections Committee will serve as moderator of the debate. 12. PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH CAMPAIGN VIOLATIONS A. Penalities for violations include removal of campaign materials and campaign managers from campaign headquarters. B. All campaign regulation violations should be reported to a member of the Nominating and Elections Committee. C. Reports of campaign regulation violations should be submitted in writing to a member of the Nominating and Elections Committee. The committee shall be responsible for investigating any allegations of violations. A written copy of the report will be submitted to the Board of Directors. D. If the Nominating and Elections Committee believes that a (campaign/ethical) violation has occurred, a meeting will take place with candidate, the campaign manager, and all persons involved. In the event that the Nominating and Elections Committee is unable to resolve the issue, a written report with recommendations shall be delivered to the Board of Directors. E. At the Board of Directors meeting, the chairperson of the Nominating and Elections Committee shall present the charge of a campaign violation and the candidate shall present his/her side of the issue. F. The Board of Directors shall decide the issue, the penalties to follow those set down in the campaign regulations. G. No action shall be taken against a candidate and no publicity shall be given to the violation unless definate action is taken by the Board of Directors. H. Thos who violate the campaign regulations more than once may be removed from the ballot by the House of Delegates upon recommendation of the Board of Directors. 13. QUESTIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF CAMPAIGN REGULATION All questions regarding campaign regulations and procedures are to be presented to the Nominating and Elections Committee for clarification and resolution. 14. TELLERS At least four tellers are needed for the election. They cannot be from any school with candidates. They cannot be delegates, candidates or campaign managers. The tellers monitor the elections and count the ballots under the direction of the NEC Chairperson, who will verify the election results. Announcements regarding tellers shall be made in the Delegates Briefing and House of Delegates. 15. BALLOT Pre-slated candidates shall be listed ont he ballot before other candidates. 16. ELECTION RESULTS Election results will be announced during the House of Delegates meeting on the day of election. 17. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATENESS A. It is the sole responsibility of the Nominating and Elections Committee to verify the credentials of candidates following the criteria set forth in GANS Bylaws and policies. Prior to being slated or nominated, all candidate applications for state office are to be held in utmost confidentiality. B. It is expected that all Nominating and Elections Committee members and members of the Board of Directors will conduct themselves in an hones and ethical manner with particular consideration for the rights an dprivileges for all candidates. C. It is suggested that the Nominating and Elections Committee and the board of Directors refrain from verbal and non-verbal endorsement of any one candidate for state office. |