The election of church officers at the close JL of the year is always a major undertaking. God's cause needs the most consecrated talent that can be found for leadership in the various churches. Sometimes in the process of electing the officers for the newyear the charge is made that a clique is controlling the election. For several years I have followed a special plan in the election of officers for the church. The church members have usually felt that it was a very fair and democratic election.
In the early fall the members of the church board have been called together to approve the plan. They are given a mimeographed ballot for the election of the church nominating committee, which has on it the following information:
Please List Your Choice of Seven Names to Serve on the Nominating Committee
1.__________________
2.__________________
3.__________________
4.__________________
5.__________________
6.__________________
7.__________________
Also suggest to the newly elected nominating committee the names of those who you feel would serve well in the following capacities:
Church Elder (s) _________________
Deacons _______________________
Deaconess ______________________
Church Clerk ____________________
Church Treasurer _________________
Sabbath School Superintendent _____________________
Sabbath School Secretary _____________________
Children's Department ____________________
Cradle Roll _____________________
Young People's Leader ___________________
Young People's Secretary ________________
Home Missionary Leader __________________
Dorcas Leader _____________________
Home and School Leader _________________
Press Secretary _________________________
Religious Liberty" Secretary _________________
Temperance Secretary _____________________
Pianists (Suggest Several) _________________
Academy Promotion Leader ________________
NOTE CONCERNING THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTION: It is understood that should two from the same family qualify for this important committee, such as husband and wife, only the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
These ballots are passed to the church members on Sabbath morning, and each member writes down the names of the persons of his choice. The secret ballot provides complete freedom to vote, and this plan gives every member of the church an equal voice in the voting. Later the ballots are tabulated, and the seven members receiving the highest number of votes are elected to serve on the nominating committee. The size of the committee has been predetermined, of course.
Since the ballot also lists the various church offices, after tabulating this poll, the nominating committee has some guiding suggestions as to the church's choice for these various offices. The committee, of course, is not obligated to follow the poll, rigidly, since its members have been elected by the church to do their work. Another advantage in this plan is that individuals nominated to an office are more likely to serve; they realize that they were selected by the church.
I do not claim that the plan is perfect, but it has been working well since I began using it about seven years ago. I commend it to you for consideration.
