Image via Wikipedia

I, frankly, do not know. The last time I heard, a statement of sort was forthcoming but that was eons ago. Today, AFSA released a statement asking for FS volunteers for the 2011 elections. Looks like the AFSA statement has also put a spin on the next election saying that the “2011 Election cycle is unique in that it will be overseen by the Department of Labor.”

The question we probably should ask is this — why is the next election so unique that it is overseen by the Department of Labor? 

Below is the AFSA help ad:

Help Wanted!

The pay is non-existent, but job satisfaction is highly rated.  Please consider volunteering to serve your colleagues as a member of the AFSA Committee on Elections for the 2011 election cycle.   AFSA is seeking current members from each constituency, Retired, State, USAID, IBB, FAS and FCS to serve a two year term.  The appointment is confirmed by the current AFSA Governing Board in accordance with the AFSA bylaws.

Members of the Committee on Elections must be based in Washington and available to meet on a regular basis during the election cycle.   The election cycle runs from July to July.  Based on past elections, the Committee meets 6 to 8 times over the course of the year.  Committee meetings generally last 1.5 to 2 hours.   The time commitment varies depending on the complexity of issues raised during the election cycle.

Committee members may be called on to:

1.Regularly attend Committee on Election Meetings

2. Conduct candidate meetings or Town Hall proceedings

3. Make decisions regarding election procedures

4. Review documents and campaign materials of a time sensitive nature

5. Review Committee meeting minutes

6. Review candidate forums and online submissions

7. Be present on the day of ballot counting

The 2011 Election cycle is unique in that it will be overseen by the Department of Labor as agreed to by the current Committee on Elections and Governing Board.  A representative from the DOL will be the Election Supervisor for this election.  The new Committee on Elections may be responsible, with guidance from the DOL, for enacting some election reforms including, but not limited to, methods of communications between candidates and AFSA members.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an email to election@afsa.org briefly outlining the reasons for your interest and mentioning any election oversight or other relevant experience that you might have.

Perhaps you want to volunteer? Might be a good time to chat about getting rid of slates, and your chance to change all that was crappy in the 2009 elections. Think about it …. please?