Revision as of 23:13, 31 August 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.)

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 began being accepted on September 1, 2010. The deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2010.

Anyone interested in running in the 2010 CC election or nominating someone else to run in the election should contact any member of the Canadian Committee during the nomination period.

Candidates to date who have declared their intention to run in the 2010 CC Election:

• Carl Madden

• John Robertson (incumbent)

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

• 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