CAS Election Process

roger.hayne@milliman.com
Mon, 20 Dec 1999 9:45:12 -0800

This note is in response to the e-mail call for input on the CAS election=20=
process=2E In hopes of stimulating discussion from the CAS membership, by copy=20=
this is going to the CASNET discussion group=2E Usual caveat, the opinions=20=
expressed here are my own=2E

At this point the only elective offices in the CAS (in reality) are the board=2E=20=
=20=
For all intents and purposes the president is NOT elected=2E The nominating=20=
committee presents a single nominee for the approval of the membership=2E

Also, in reality, there is a SIGNIFICANT amount of (some may say most) power in=20=
the hands of un-elected vice presidents=2E It would appear that the unelected=20=
VPs run the CAS with supervision of the board and often with significant=20=
influence on the board and on what the board considers=2E =20=

Now that the CAS is phasing out partial exams, the question of just how=20=
partitioning happened in the first place again seems appropriate=2E I have found=
=20=
few, either in the leadership or the rank-and-file of the CAS who were in favor=20=
of partitioning of exams in the first place, yet it happened=2E It seems this is=
=20=
just one example of how the current leadership structure can be out of touch=20=
with the membership and can lead to harmful results in the long run=2E

Although there appears to be democracy in the CAS, significant (arguably most)=20=
of the power lies with those who were appointed (or anointed) and not elected=2E

Rather than focusing only on the details of the election process, we should=20=
step back and think more globally and think more about expanding the direct=20=
voice of the CAS membership=2E

To stir discussion I would propose meaningful (contested) elections for ALL CAS=20=
officers including board members (where there is currently contested=20=
elections), president, and vice presidents=2E I would also put committee chairs=20=
on the table for discussion=2E

Thank you for the opportunity to express my views=2E I hope we emerge from this=20=
discussion with a stronger CAS with wider opportunity to hear the member's=20=
voice=2E
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