Revision as of 23:39, 12 November 2010

The Canadian Committee is a NASPA committee established in February 2009 to manage matters pertaining solely to Canadian and not American players.

To contact the Canadian Committee send an email to naspa-canada@yahoogroups.com.

Members

Current members

• David Boys (original member)
• Tony Leah (original member; re-elected in 2009)
• Jeff Parsons June 2009–
• John Robertson chairman (original member)
• Randall Thomas January 2010–
• Siri Tillekeratne (original member)

Past members

• John Aitken March–December 2009
• Albert Hahn February–March 2009

Ending dates for current members’ terms

The terms for both John Robertson and Jeff Parsons will end on December 31, 2010.

The terms for both David Boys and Siri Tillekeratne will end on December 31, 2011.

The terms for both Tony Leah and Randall Thomas will end on December 31, 2012.

Rules Governing Canadian Committee Elections

Each year two CC positions will expire on December 31. Prior to that date, there will be a nomination period for new candidates (lasting from September 1 to October 15). During that time, all Canadian NASPA members in good standing may nominate themselves or have others nominate them to run for election to the CC. The incumbents may also seek re-election.

Each year the CC election period will run from November 1 to November 30. All Canadian NASPA members in good standing may vote in this election. An online voting system will be instituted. (The CC will appoint a returning officer responsible for handling and counting ballots cast by voters who prefer to vote by paper ballot.) All votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 30.

Each voter may vote for as many as two candidates on the ballot, but may only submit one ballot (either online or paper).

There is no limit to the number of candidates allowed to seek election each year. In most cases the two candidates with the highest vote totals shall be elected to three-year terms that begin on the following January 1. (Note: Because there are maximum and minimum regional requirements for the CC, a scenario might exist where a candidate finishing worse than second in the election could win a spot ahead of candidates who finished with a greater total of votes.)

Special Note for 2010 Election: If the election results in a two-way tie for second place or a three-way tie for first place, all three candidates will win positions on the CC, thus increasing the CC to seven members.

Any disputes about the elections process will be decided by the CC members (excluding those running for re-election).

Candidates for 2010 Canadian Committee Election

Nominations for candidates for the 2010 Canadian Committee election are now closed. The following three individuals have declared their intention to run in the 2010 CC Election and their names will appear on the ballot:

• Carl Madden

• Jeff Parsons (incumbent)

• John Robertson (incumbent)

The election period runs from November 1, 2010 through November 30, 2010.

Candidates' Election Platforms

The three candidates in the 2010 CC election have been invited to submit a brief election platform. These are listed by alphabetical order of the candidates.

Carl Madden

I have been involved in organized, competitive SCRABBLE play since 1988 and feel I have plenty to offer the committee from a different perspective. I welcome the opportunity to participate and share ideas with the other members and welcome the support of those who wish to give it.

Jeff Parsons

I have been involved in competitive SCRABBLE play since 1986 and have a great deal of respect for those who have made the competitive game what it is through their collective voluntary efforts. I am standing for election to the Canadian Committee as a way of giving back to the community. My main reason for standing for election is to make it possible for the Committee to be truly a national one, representing player interests from coast-to-coast. If elected, I will do my best to ensure that decisions of the committee reflect the interests of players across Canada.

John Robertson

I have been on the tournament SCRABBLE scene for 20 years. I am a co-founder and a director of Club #471 in Cambridge, ON. I am best known for being a well travelled tournament director. I like to think my views represent those of both players and directors. I am efficient and a diligent promoter of organized SCRABBLE play. I hope you will give me your support.

Agenda

The Committee has the following items on its agenda:

• Make arrangements for hosting the next Can-Am event
• Consider a ratings fee surcharge on Canadian tournaments to help fund Canadian WSC players
• Establish a mechanism for communicating with Canadian Scrabble players

Recent activity

• Determined what would happen if the 2010 CC election ended in a tie for second place. Agreed to resume discussion of election tie-breakers in January 2011.
• Arranged for the next Can-Am event to be held in Calgary on March 19-20, 2011. Siri Tillekeratne is making arrangements with the Radisson Hotel which will serve as the venue. Further information will be available soon.
• Appointed Randall Thomas as returning officer for all paper ballots cast in the 2010 CC election.
• Established the rules to govern all CC elections, beginning with 2010.
• Established the qualification criteria for Canadians interested in competing at the 2010 Causeway Challenge.
• Amended the qualification rules for Canadians wishing to compete at the 2011 World SCRABBLE Championship to account for NASPA's new SOWPODS rating list.
• Declared both Tony Leah and Randall Thomas elected by acclamation in the 2009 CC election. Their three-year terms began on January 1, 2010.
• Established John Robertson as NASPA's Canadian financial "middle man." John is authorized to collect NASPA membership fees from Canadian players in Canadian dollars (with the exchange rate factored in). See "payment" page for details.
• Prepared a qualification system for the Canadian team at the 2011 World SCRABBLE Championship.
• Prepared a qualification system for the next Canadian National SCRABBLE Championship.

Links

• 2010 Causeway Challenge Canadian Qualification System
• 2011 World SCRABBLE Championship Canadian Qualification System
• 2011 Canadian World SCRABBLE Championship Qualifying Tournament Venue Vote
• Canadian National SCRABBLE Championship Qualification System
• Structure of Canadian Committee