Election of office bearers

Clean time requirements are indicated and are strongly recommended. Election is then based on the merit of each candidate; that is, their service qualifications and the personal skills necessary to effectively fulfill the duties of the position.

Nominating Procedure

All nominations must come from an NA member or the nominee themselves. All nominations must be seconded by a voting participant of the ARSC. All nominations are received through the Election Nomination Form. This form is stored and available electronically and, once filled out, is emailed to the ARSC Secretary prior to the next ARSC Meeting.

1. As each position is listed for election during the ARSC Meeting, the ARSC Chair will call for nominees.
2. The ARSC Chair will call for a seconder.
3. The Chair asks all nominees if they are familiar with and are willing to abide by the ARSC Policy and Procedures, emphasising that part related to attendance of ARSC Meetings and removal of members from position or office (involuntary resignation).
4. The Chair will ask all nominees if they have ever been stood down, otherwise removed from office, or had a vote of no confidence carried against them in any NA service body.
5. If nomination is by proxy (someone making a nomination for someone else who can’t be present), the proxy must carry a yes or no answer for the above questions.
6. Each nominee states their name, clean time, service positions held, and gives a statement about why they are nominating and how they can effectively fulfill the position if elected. This can include service experience as well as any personal or professional skills or expertise relevant.
7. The Chair then reads: “Every voting participant has the right to vote for or against a nominee, even a sole nominee.” Note: RCMs are voting participants for elections.
8. Nominees leave the room and votes are cast by secret ballot (no one can see what anyone else voted). This is done on Zoom with polling. ARSC Chair and Secretary count votes. Election is by simple majority of the quorum.
9. Where there are two or more nominees and no single nominee receives majority support, the nominee(s) who receive the least support is/are excluded before each subsequent vote. Sole nominees must receive majority support.
10. Nominees re-enter the meeting and the election is announced.

If nominations are considered inadequate the election may be held over until the next ARSC Meeting.

All positions fall vacant at the June ARSC Meeting of the non-World Service Conference (WSC) year. These are odd years, e.g. 2019, 2021. Elections are held for all office bearers except the Regional Delegate (RD). A vote to confirm the Alternate Delegate (AD) in the position of RD is taken.

Election Order

Elections are held in the following order

1. Alternate Delegate (AD) confirmed as Regional Delegate (RD)
2. Alternate Delegate (AD)
3. ARSC Chair
4. ARSC Vice Chair
5. Subcommittee Chairs
6. Subcommittee Vice Chairs
7. Treasurer
8. Assistant Treasurer
9. Secretary
10. Assistant Secretary
11. Policy and Procedure Committee members
12. Fellowship Service Office (FSO) Chair confirmation
13. Fellowship Service Office (FSO) Pool

The position of RD is considered a four year term, whereby two years are served as AD and two as RD. The AD is therefore considered an apprentice of the RD, and is confirmed as RD after serving two years as AD.

The positions of ARSC Chair and Vice Chair are functionally separate. The Vice Chair does not automatically become Chair. This also applies to the positions of Secretary and Assistant Secretary.

Voting ARSC participants are expected to step down if they are elected to the FSO and vice versa. Non-voting ARSC participants are eligible for election to the FSO Management Committee.

Office bearers may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The RD may only serve one term.

When positions become vacant before the biennial (two-yearly) elections, those eligible to vote are notified that nominations and election of a replacement will take place at the following ARSC meeting.