Election Campaign Guidelines for Candidates

Preamble

Voting is not only a right, but an opportunity. Encouraging members to vote is one of the goals of the Nominating Committee. To that end, we encourage you to communicate with potential voters. While this may help you get elected, it also increases interest in the election, in the Board of Directors, and in the direction of the organization.

Please note the following guidelines applicable to all candidates' campaigning. These guidelines are intended to be in the public domain.

Guidelines

Candidates are expected to act in accordance with the following general guidelines:

1. In all written or oral communications, candidates are encouraged to present their individual positions and views on issues and avoid negative references to SOA staff and SOA members.

 

Note: The purpose of this guideline is to avoid comments that could be construed as negative or critical, and could be potentially demoralizing or detrimental or reflect negatively on the profession when viewed by a member of the SOA, the SOA staff or the public.

2. Candidates are not allowed to use SOA funds or staff resources except as explicitly permitted as part of the normal election process or equally available to all candidates within a specific office. A list of specific SOA resources available to candidates will be provided during the election process. Candidates will not be able to obtain mailing labels for members from the SOA. SOA membership data from the electronic Actuarial Directory may not be downloaded or duplicated in whole, or in part, for use of compiling comprehensive mailing lists for campaigning.

 

Note: Candidates are encouraged to take full advantage of communicating with members through interviews and statements to be published by the SOA. Candidates are encouraged to communicate with members through non-SOA means including Internet discussion forums. Candidates are reminded that most forms of communications are in the public domain. Therefore, in all discussions and communications, a professional tone will reflect positively on the Society of Actuaries and on the candidate.

3. Candidates are encouraged to focus discussion on "big picture" strategic issues for the SOA and the profession.

 

Note: The Board of Directors has a primary focus on long-term leadership of the organization. Focusing on these issues will better inform members on positions that candidates are likely to take if elected. Agreeing or disagreeing with a candidate on these major issues is a meaningful reason for supporting or not supporting a candidate.

4. President-Elect candidates are encouraged to participate in the video taping of a brief campaign speech and an interview "talk show" on important issues.

 

Note: It is extremely useful for members to see and hear candidates. Therefore, the SOA will provide the opportunity to tape a brief presentation for viewing by the members on the SOA website.