Message from the President
Dear Colleague:
The value and importance of voting has never seemed greater, as the impending U.S. presidential election in November reminds us. Your vote is also vital to selecting leaders of the Academy to represent you. Voting in the board elections offers you the best opportunity to participate in setting the future course for your specialty’s premier organization. The following pages contain the official proxy/ballot for the AAO-HNS 2008 election.
As you proceed through this online ballot, please read each candidate’s statement and bylaw change carefully by clicking on the link next to each name. Then make your selection for each position and each amendment. If you have any questions or problems with the ballot, please contact our Member Services department at 1-703-836-4444 for assistance.
Election results will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting and at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL, September 21–24. All members are encouraged to attend the Business Meeting and the Opening Ceremony.
Thank you for your participation in the election process.
James C. Denneny, III, MD
AAO-HNS President
Candidates Nominations:
How are candidates nominated for AAO-HNS office?
At the core of candidate selection is the AAO-HNS Nominating Committee, consisting of the Immediate Past President, as Chair, the Chair of the Board of Governors, and eight voting Fellows or Members of the Academy who are elected by the membership and not members of the Board of Directors.
Each January, the committee meets to select a slate of candidates of offices and positions that will be open the following fall. At least two candidates for each vacant position are selected unless an incumbent is eligible for re-election. Per the Bylaws, candidates for the position of President-Elect alternate annually between private practitioners (in even-numbered years) and academicians (in odd numbered years).
The Committee attempts to identify candidates that reflect the broad diversity of the membership and is provided with documentation detailing members’ volunteer service to the Academy and the Foundation. The Committee votes on each nominee using the method known as the “weighted-Australian ballot,” which ensures secrecy and prevents any one member from influencing the electoral process. In no instance shall any member of the Nominating Committee be nominated for any Academy position while he or she serves on the Nominating Committee.
Consistent with the Academy Bylaws, Article VI, Section 6.03 the Nominating Committee also “. . . shall accept other nominations submitted by petition(s) signed by at least one percent of the voting Fellows and Members, which percentage shall be certified by the Secretary-Treasurer based on the prior year’s membership records. . .”
Selected candidates are asked for their willingness to serve in the respective position, without knowing their potential opponent. If the member wishes to serve, he or she is required to complete a confidential questionnaire to determine whether they meet certain criteria to run for office. After all of the questionnaires are returned, the Chair clears the candidates to run and slate is announced publicly.
The Board of Governors Nominee Platform Committee develops a questionnaire to determine candidates’ positions on a wide range of issues. The candidates’ responses are published in an issue of the Bulletin and are also included with the proxy ballot mailed to all voting fellows and members at least 45 days prior to the Foundation Annual Meeting. In addition, Presidential candidates are invited to address the Board of Governors at their March meeting. Promoting or campaigning for candidates by members, staff, organized groups within the Academy, such as the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors, and committees, or by external organizations is strongly discouraged.
Members who participate, get involved, and gain the recognition of their peers have an opportunity for election to a leadership position.
Members of the 2007-2008 AAO-HNS Nominating Committee
Richard T. Miyamoto, MD, MS
Eugene L. Alford, MD
David M. Barrs, MD
Marion E. Couch, MD, PhD
Herman A. Jenkins, MD
Russell W. H. Kridel, MD
Fred D. Owens, MD, MBA
Michael G. Stewart, MD, MPH
J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD
Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD
