Nominations to serve on the Steering Committee are now open and will remain so until the Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The Nomination Petition is available electronically, and you may also print a blank copy or pick one up at church next Sunday.
Membership in Dignity/New York is through DignityUSA. If the $60 membership fee presents a challenge, please know that assistance is available — you are welcome to speak with a member of our Steering Committee or email dignitynewyork@gmail.com, and we will be glad to help.
2025 ELECTIONS NOTICE SENT TO MEMBERS AND THOSE WHOSE MEMBERSHIP HAS LAPSE WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS
The members of Dignity/NY are invited to participate in the annual election of the Steering Committee of Dignity/NY, the governing body of Dignity/NY, pursuant to the bylaws of this Chapter and vote for candidates standing for election to the Steering Committee.
NOMINATING PETITIONS for prospective candidates will be available online from Sunday, August 24, 2025 until Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Nominating petitions can be completed both electronically or by paper. An email will be sent to all members of record with a link to a Google Document containing the electronic nominating petitions and paper nominations may be picked up at church.
Under 7.2 of our bylaws, up to five (5) people are up for election in years that end in an odd number and up to four (4) people will be elected in even numbers years. People are elected for two-year terms.
The terms of three current Steering Committee members (Robert Brande, James Osbourn and Jeff Stone) will expire on October 31, 2025 while the terms of three elected last year (Chris Alberti, Danny Larkin and Lewis Speaks-Tanner) will continue for one more year.
Under 4.1, our bylaws envision a Steering Committee of nine (9) people, although that is not a requirement. However, there must be a minimum of five (5) members. Therefore, up to six (6) people may be elected to serve on the Steering Committee this year, five (5) for two-year terms that will expire on October 31, 2027 and one (1) for a one-year term that will expire on October 31, 2026.
WHO MAY STAND FOR ELECTION
Under 8.5 of our bylaws, any person who has been a member of Dignity/NY or DignityUSA for one year within the month of election and who has not been removed from any position within the organization for cause may stand as a candidate for the Steering Committee upon submission of a valid Petition of Nomination. The Elections Committee shall accept as valid any Petition of Nomination signed by ten (10) members in good standing so long it has been received before commencement of the Candidates Forum.
WHO MAY VOTE
All people who are enrolled as members of Dignity/NY upon the night elections conclude may vote. Persons who are not carried as current members on the most recent DignityUSA roster may join, renew or be reinstated as members on or before Sunday, September 21 and may vote. If you feel your membership has lapsed or have any questions about membership, you should email elections@dignityny.org.
THE FOLLOWING ARE DATES OF IMPORTANCE IN OUR 2025 CYCLE OF ELECTIONS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 @ 7PM– A CANDIDATES FORUM will be conducted online via ZOOM. People who wish to offer themselves for election will have an opportunity to present their programs and or/respond to question from their peers and members of our online congregation. (8.7) Candidates may also post written statements on our website. Election Buddy (a simple online app very much like Survey Monkey) will be sent out ASAP after the Forum to all members of record. If you can vote electronically via Election Buddy, you are requested to do so for ease of counting votes. Anyone with questions about their ballot should email elections@dignityny.org.
REQUESTS FOR PAPER MAIL-IN BALLOTS must be received by the Elections Committee no later than FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025. This request must be done either online at elections@dignityny.org (please type “MAIL-IN BALLOT” in the subject line) or phone Ben Speaks-Tanner at 703-864-1724. Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked by Saturday, September 20, 2025 and received no later than midnight Friday, September 26, 2025. Please mail them back as soon as possible after receiving them.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025: ELECTIONS CONCLUDE Currently enrolled members of Dignity/NY must vote either online before 11PM on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 or by Mail-In Ballot as described above. (8.2)
[This paragraph below was included in the mailings. The expiration date is the key element whether you can vote without renewing. If you renew, especially when you send a check, let the Election Committee know. via email] YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BECAUSE your name on the most recent membership roster received from DignityUSA. This qualifies you as an Elector of Dignity/NY under 8.8 of our bylaws. Please note if your membership has lapsed before September 1 st , you will not be able to vote in this election. If it expires within the month of September, you will be able to vote and we hope you will renew your membership as soon as possible. If your membership has lapsed and you renew or have proof that you renewed, please email elections@dignityny.org and let us know so we can make sure you have a ballot and are able to vote.
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