Campaign Guidelines

WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDACY

  • In order for a candidate’s name not to appear on the ballot, any person withdrawing from candidacy may do so only by written request to the chapter’s elections committee chairperson prior to the final date of ballot preparation, as listed on the election Timeline.

 

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS GUIDELINES FOR CHAPTER OFFICE

Content of Material

  • Candidates may print campaign materials.
  • All campaign materials must be free of any association logo(s).
  • Official association names/acronyms may not be used on any endorsement list.
  • The official association title may not be used in a manner that suggests the association supports the candidate.
    • This includes the candidate’s association email addresses.
  • All electronic or printed campaign materials must have the following disclaimer stated verbatim: “The views and opinions expressed are those of the candidate and not necessarily those of the unit, CTA, NEA, or any of its affiliates.”

 

Candidate Distribution of Campaign Materials

  • Candidates may distribute campaign materials at school sites.
    • Use of district/school mailboxes for campaigning must follow district policy.
    • District email addresses must not be used for campaigning.
  • Upon request, the chapter will furnish each candidate with a list of work site names, work site addresses, and the number of active members at each site for the purposes of campaigning.  
    • Make the request to info@mynocut.org  State in the subject line:  FSTO ELECTION (year): Request for work site names, work site addresses, and # of active members.

 

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDACY

Campaign Statements

  • Candidates may provide the chapter with a campaign statement. 
    • Candidate statements will be published with the voting materials and can be no more than 30 words.  Candidate statements will be listed in the current CTA alphabetical order.
      • Any word(s) exceeding the limitation shall not be printed.

Electronic Flyers

  • Candidates may provide the chapter with one single-sided electronic flyer in a PDF document, 8.5” X 11” or smaller, to be included in the Association newsletter or email.
    • Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the flyer is received by the association’s election committee by the date published on the election timeline.
    • Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the flyer meets all campaign guidelines for acceptable content.
    • Candidates must send the flyer to: elections@myfsto.org  and state in the subject line: ELECTIONS FLYER_Title of the election_Last Name, Firstname

 

Video or In-person Presentations and Campaign Speeches

  • Candidacy presentations may be conducted in-person, via video, or written speech at designated Rep Council Meetings, provided notification dates in the Timeline are met.  
    • Special elections may utilize a truncated timeline which may not allow for in-person presentations at a Rep Council meeting.  
  • The following presentation guidelines apply:
    • Presentation materials are to be no longer than 2 minutes.
      • Written speeches are to be no longer than 300 words total.
    • Videos must be Mp4 format.
    • ALL Campaign Materials Guidelines must be adhered to, regardless of the presentation format.

 

  • When the timeline does not allow for in-person presentations, presentation materials will be included in the Association newsletter or email.  
  • Candidates must send the flyer to: elections@myfsto.org  and state in the subject line: ELECTIONS PRESENTATION_Title of the election_Last Name, Firstname

 

CAMPAIGN FINANCES AND USE OF UNIT RESOURCES

 

  • Money from the chapter treasury may not be given to a candidate or used to promote any candidate. A candidate cannot accept indirect contributions in the form of use of a unit’s assets, facilities, staff, equipment, supplies, and mailings.

 

  • A unit may not state or indicate its preference for a candidate in any unit publications.

 

  • The use of links to any Association website or association social networking sites by a candidate is prohibited. Candidates cannot campaign on any affiliated chapter or Service Center social networking sites created for association/leadership members to communicate with each other. 

 

  • The Association shall not make any personal email addresses available to candidates.

 

VOTING REQUIREMENT

  • Unless otherwise specified, elections shall be decided by majority vote.  Majority means more than half of the legal votes cast for any candidate or issue on the ballot.  If a run-off election is necessary, it will be held in accordance with the timeline that was sent with the election announcement.

 

OBSERVERS

You may have one observer on the date the ballots are counted in accordance with the timeline that was sent with the election announcement.  

Candidates may be present as observers

If you or a designee will be an observer:

  • Please email info@mynocut.org stating whether you or a designee will be present as an observer during the counting process by the deadline listed on the Timeline.  
  • If a designee will be present, please provide the name of the designee and their email address.  If the observer is a school employee, the email address must be a non-work email.  
  • Please state in the subject line: FSTO ELECTION OBSERVER INFORMATION

If you or a designee will be present as an observer, the following rules must be adhered to.  The observer must:

  • Arrive at the specified time
  • Stay the entire time 
    • Regardless of a virtual ballot count, observers must be physically present in the designated counting location.
  • Be silent 
  • Must not share the results in any way shape or form prior to the official email sent to members by the FSTO President.
  • This includes any and all social media platforms.

 

Any observer who interferes with the work of the Elections Committee will be removed from the meeting.

All observers will receive an invitation email with location information provided the requested information is present/accurate and the deadline was met.  It will be the candidate’s responsibility to apprise their designee of the rules and the invitation location.

 

  • If you need further assistance, please call the NOCUT office at (714) 256-9900 or send an email to info@mynocut.org.  Please state in the subject line: FSTO ELECTION ASSISTANCE NEEDED.

 

  • If you would like another timeline sent to you, please contact me or the NOCUT office.