In 2013, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada made major changes to its governance structure to come into line with the provisions of the Canada Not for Profit Corporations Act. As of the Thunder Bay General Assembly in 2013, a board of directors is responsible for the running of the RASC, replacing the National Council.

In the 2014 election, the three candidates with the greatest number of votes will serve terms of three years expiring in 2017, the next three candidates in term of votes will win terms of two years each expiring in 2016, and the following three candidates in terms of votes will get terms of one year each expiring in 2015.

This year, the RASC nominating committee is seeking at least nine candidates to run for the Board of Directors. Members of the Society Executive (President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) will be drawn from the ranks of the new Board, and candidates for Board positions should indicate if they wish to serve on the Executive and the position they wish to fill.

Here are the rules for candidate eligibility as set out in the RASC Policy Manual:

Candidate Eligibility 

The Nominating Committee will ensure that candidates for the RASC Board of Directors meet the following criteria: 

1. be a member in good standing of the Society;
2. meet the requirements for being a Board member as outlined by the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and, specifically:
3. be over the age of 18 at the time of the Annual General Meeting (this year, May 22); 
4. be an individual person (i.e. not a body corporate); 
5. be solvent (not bankrupt); 
6. have agreed to stand for election in· writing; 
7. have the support in writing of at least 3 people, one of whom is a member of the Society; and, 
8. have agreed to abide by the Society’s Directors and Officer’s Code of Conduct and indicated their willingness to sign the Society’s Board of Director’s agreement prior to assuming office. 

Candidate’s Statement 

As part of the nomination process, candidates will be asked to provide a Candidate’s Statement, including: 

• their previous experience with councils and committees of the Society at both the National and Centre levels; 
• a suitable photograph in electronic format as well as contact information as required; 
• committee work and experience outside of the Society that may be relevant to the Society; and 
• their goals for the Society and how they would contribute to the Board if elected. 

Anyone wishing to be a candidate should write or email the RASC Nominating Committee through its chair, Robyn Foret. Each candidate should state that they understand the eligibility requirements and state that they meet those requirements. Candidates must agree to abide by the RASC Director's and Officers Code of Conduct. They should also indicate whether they intend to seek a position on the executive, and if so, what position they are seeking. Candidates should also send a candidate's statement as set out above.

Candidates' statements will be posted on the RASC website no later than 2016 March 25. Candidates can campaign from March 25 through April 22. Voting will take place from April 25 through May 13, and results will be announced the next day, May 14. All members of the RASC will be eligible to vote, and facilities to vote on line will be available, as well as paper ballots on request from the Society Office.

The nominating committee will be pleased to answer questions from any member of the RASC about this election process.The Nominating Committee can be reached by mail through the Society Office of the RASC, 203 - 4920 Dundas Street W, Toronto ON M9A IB7 or by email at arforet@shaw.ca

Robyn Foret, Nominating Committee Chair