Election Procedures
The following procedures apply:
A) Electing a Warden
- The Secretary of the Freemen contacts all Members of the Company informing them that there is an upcoming vacancy for the Warden’s position and includes an Application Form to be completed and returned. A period of two weeks is normally given with a deadline date.
- The outgoing Warden is entitled to apply for another term of office, he/she must complete the Application Form in the usual way.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens for approval.
- If approved the Secretary writes to that person confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure.
- If more than one nomination is received the Application Forms go to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Warden. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Secretary writes to the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming the appointment and the start date of tenure.
- The results are placed on the website and will include the number of votes cast for each candidate.
- If no nominations are received the Secretary would go out to all Deputy Wardens.
- If no nominations are received from the Deputy Wardens then the Secretary would look to the Expressions of Interest List as detailed below.
- If there are no names on the Expressions of Interest List then the Secretary would go out to the other 7 Companies.
- The Secretary notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees and includes the successful candidates Application Form.
- If the Secretary of the Freemen wishes to continue as Warden at the end of tenure, then the election process must be conducted by another Warden or Deputy Warden following the same procedure as above.
B) Electing Deputy Wardens would follow the same procedure as above omitting Item 7.
C) Expressions of Interest List
Where no candidates are forthcoming from a Company with the vacancy, it has been necessary to appoint a Warden or Deputy Warden from a Member of another Company. To regularise this anomaly the following statement will be placed on the website and in the Yearbook to ensure that all Members are aware of the Expression of Interest List.
Where no candidates are forthcoming from the Company with the vacancy, then any Member from any other Company may apply to become the Warden or Deputy Warden for that Company.
If you are interested in becoming a Warden or Deputy Warden under these circumstances, please register your interest by contacting the Secretary of the Freemen, who will place your name on the List. Should a vacancy occur under these circumstances in the future, you will be contacted, and an Application Form will be sent out to you.
Where no candidates are forthcoming from the Company with the vacancy, then any Member from another Company, who has expressed an interest in becoming a Warden or Deputy Warden and currently on the list, will be sent an Application Form by the Secretary of the Freeman to be completed and returned. A period of two weeks is normally given with a deadline date.
D) Electing a Chairman of the Wardens
The following procedures apply:
- The Chairman of the Wardens is elected from the residing Wardens.
- The Secretary sends a notification regarding end of tenure/resignation to all Wardens including an Application Form.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Chairman of the Wardens. If the candidate is rejected, the Deputy Chair takes up the role on a temporary basis supported by the Secretary and Wardens.
- If more than one nomination is received then the Application Forms go to the Wardens, to vote, select and appoint the new Chairman of the Wardens. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Secretary informs the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure.
- The Secretary notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees, including the successful candidate’s Application Form.
E) Electing a Deputy Chairman
The following procedures apply:
- The Deputy Chairman is elected from the residing Wardens and Deputy Wardens.
- The Secretary sends a notification regarding end of tenure/resignation to all Wardens and Deputy Wardens including an Application Form.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Deputy Chairman.
- If more than one nomination is received then the Application Forms go
to the Wardens, to vote, select and appoint the new Deputy Chairman. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Secretary informs the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure. - The Secretary notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees, including the successful candidate’s Application Form.
F) Electing a Secretary
The following procedures apply:
- The Secretary is elected from the residing Wardens.
- The Chair sends a notification regarding end of tenure/resignation to all Wardens including an Application Form.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Secretary.
- If more than one nomination is received then the Application Forms go to the Wardens, to vote, select and appoint the new Secretary. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Chair informs the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure.
- The Chair notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees, including the successful candidate’s Application Form.
G) Electing a Membership Secretary
The following procedures apply:
- The Membership Secretary is elected from the residing Wardens and Deputy Wardens.
- The Secretary sends a notification regarding end of tenure/resignation to all Wardens and Deputy Wardens including an Application Form.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Membership Secretary.
- If more than one nomination is received then the Application Forms go to the Wardens, to vote, select and appoint the new Membership Secretary. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Secretary informs the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure.
- The Secretary notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees, including the successful candidate’s Application Form.
H) Electing a Minute Secretary.
The following procedures apply:
- The Minute Secretary is elected from the residing Wardens and Deputy Wardens.
- The Secretary sends a notification regarding end of tenure/resignation toall Wardens and Deputy Wardens including an Application Form.
- If only one nomination is received, then the Application Form goes to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Membership Secretary.
- If more than one nomination is received then the Application Forms go to the Wardens to vote, select and appoint the new Membership Secretary. Whoever gains the most votes would be the successful candidate. The Secretary informs the candidates confirming the result of the Wardens vote and to the successful candidate confirming their appointment and the start date of tenure.
- The Secretary notifies the outcome of the election to all Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Trustees, including the successful candidate’s Application Form.
All Posts:
A Wardens majority vote is required for all decisions and if deemed necessary an interview with the candidate(s) may be requested.
A timetable of the elections is published on the website. If a post holder leaves before the end of tenure, the timetable will change accordingly.
