Okay – this is a working draft…subject to change.
Good that is out of the way, ha. I am not a professional writer by any stretch, aside from some fanciful delusions to the contrary. Nonetheless, this manifesto is an attempt to give some guidance and feedback on the challenges and opportunities in conducting First Nation Elections.
I will keep the observations brief and concise, and attempt to look at each challenge as an opportunity, and every opportunity one to be exploited for the enhancement of the election processes. I have conducted dozens of elections for Chief & Councils and variety of other offices from Custom Codes, Treaty Acts and Legislation, and the dreaded Indian Act – and in my experience all have something to learn and just as important something to share.
Let’s start with a simple table of contents. I will tackle each as I am inspired to do so, and in fact, the sequence and content may change as well. Consider this a very fluid process and starting point, lol. We’ll see where it takes us.
Table of Contents
- It’s never to early to appoint your Chief Electoral Officer.
- My Vote Counts – membership lists matter.
- Keep Me Informed – communications are key, dah!
- Use the modern moccasin telegraph – social media.
- You get what you pay for – cheaper is not better.
- Be transparent in process, purpose and people.
- Every elections number one complaint – and it shouldn’t be!
- My free elections checklist (worth a million bucks easily).
- A profile of a great Elections Official – guess who?
Well it’s a starting point…let’s see where it goes from here.
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Lawrence Lewis
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” – Ernest Hemingway
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂