Election of Executive Officers

Term of Office

Elections shall be held at the Annual National Convention (ANC) every two years to elect Executive Officers for a two-year term.

Officers may be re-elected for a second two-year term in the same position. No officer may serve more than two (2) terms, or more than four (4) consecutive years, in the same office.

A National Executive Officer may serve no more than eight (8) cumulative years in various National Executive positions.

Newly elected officers shall take office immediately following the election, with a 30-day transition period. During this period, outgoing and incoming Executive Officers shall work collaboratively to:

• Document all previous minutes, proceedings, and other relevant records.

• Transfer documents and records from the outgoing team to the incoming team.

• Balance and reconcile financial records.

• Update bank signatories.

• Facilitate a smooth transition through a meeting between outgoing and incoming National EXCO members on the Sunday following the Convention. The cost of a one-night hotel stay will be covered by UOPSA.

• Provide a $500 stipend to any UOPSAN commissioned by the National President to conduct UOPSA business, to cover the cost of an economy ticket.

Candidate Eligibility

To be eligible to run for a National Executive Office:

• A candidate must be a registered, active member of United OPSA-USA for at least five (5) years.

• The candidate must have attended at least three (3) of the last five (5) Annual National Conventions (ANCs). These do not have to be consecutive.

• A member is not eligible to run if she has already served a combined total of eight (8) years in UOPSA National Executive positions.

Declaration of Candidacy

Members who wish to run for office must formally declare their candidacy according to the following requirements:

• A written declaration of intent must be submitted to the National Secretary of United OPSA-USA at least 30 days before the Annual National Convention.

• If there are no viable candidates by the deadline, nominations will remain open for one additional week.

• Each Chapter President is responsible for ensuring that members of her chapter receive a copy of the list of candidates.

• Only registered members in good standing are eligible to stand for election.

• All campaign videos and materials must be submitted for distribution at least two (2) weeks before the ANC.

Method of Voting

UOPSA USA elections shall be conducted according to the following procedures:

• Voting shall be administered by an Election Committee selected from members of the General Assembly. The committee shall be dissolved upon completion of its duties.

• Only registered members in good standing are eligible to vote.

• Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot or electronic voting.

• The National Treasurer shall provide a list of eligible voting members a couple of weeks before the Convention, allowing members an opportunity to address their membership status as necessary.

• If the Annual National Convention is canceled during an election year, an Election Committee shall be established to conduct an electronic/virtual election