A Guidebook to Engaging Members and Making Better Elections
My motivations for creating this Election Manifesto eBook were the real life events and experiences of conducting First Nation elections over the past 12+ years. It has always struck me how often the same sentiments, some might call them complaints, emerge through the election processes of Nations regardless of the type of election: custom codes, treaty regulations or acts, or Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) election regulations. Those sentiments or complaints, in my view, have always been rooted in 3 core election elements that could be corrected:
- An election processes that is typically far too brief and compacted.
- A minimalistic (or more often absent) communication strategy or plan.
- The selection of the Chief Electoral Officer.
It’s my hope that sharing lessons learned and experienced gained can take some root here in this Indian Elections Manifesto eBook and be shared with First Nations communities and governments and individuals. It’s not my intent to be overly critical of past practices or stress unrealistic expectations for your Nations future elections. On the contrary, this eBook has been created with a view to provide a resource and tool that confirms best practices and pathways to successful and stress-anxiety-free elections.
I have conducted dozens of elections for Chief & Councils and a 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. There are three basic tenets of my Indian Elections Manifesto that I believe are central to assisting your Nation have better elections and engage members more effectively:
- Appoint a well qualified Chief Electoral Officer at least one year in advance of the election date.
- Develop a clear and modern communications strategy or plan to engage your First Nation.
- Use this new approach to Nation-build and strengthen your First Nation community.
Please feel free to share this eBook with whomever you choose, and print or reproduce any part or portion you want. I can think of no greater honor than for you to share my work with other people, and please do not hesitate to contact me directly with your comments and feedback – I would like to hear from you!
Click the image below to download your free copy!
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 🙂