Following numerous false starts during the 2011 electoral year and a growing sense of frustration among US cricket stakeholders over a questionable Compliance Review process, the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) today announced on the organization’s web site, a date for its second 3-year electoral cycle under a Constitution approved in 2008.
The announcement comes on the heels of more than two-thirds of the leagues affiliated with USACA being deemed ineligible to vote, based on an unclear criterion of compliance, and decided upon by Texas attorney Robert Chance and a divided USACA Board. Most stakeholders though in agreement with a compliance process to weed out “ghost” leagues, believe the process was politically motivated and the ensuing results inconsistent, as best.
The controversy surrounding the compliance process and the national elections has already seen one group of candidates withdrawing en-bloc from the elections while unanimously condemning the arbitrary exclusion of two-thirds of the leagues from voting, and suggesting the process was manipulated.
In several quarters across the nation, cricket stakeholders are calling for the intervention of the world-governing cricket body – the ICC. It is widely believed that Gladstone Dainty has a lock on the candidates expected to be elected by the 15 leagues, while the 30 plus disenfranchised leagues are forced to sit out the elections.
The elections will be conducted for the positions of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, filling out the Executive portion of the national board, while the rest of the board is comprised of Regional Representatives of the eight USACA regions.
Regional representation on the board is dependent on each of the eight regions having a minimum of three compliant leagues. Based on the USACA web site, it appears that only four regions will be represented on the new USACA Board of Directors at this time. Of the four regions identified, only New York has held its regional elections within the USACA constitutional guidelines, which beg the question, are the other three Regional Representatives sitting on the current board and participating in policy-making decisions, doing so legitimately? Those regions are South East, Central West, and Atlantic. The latter held its elections as scheduled, but it is alleged that at the direction of USACA President Gladstone Dainty, the Returning Officer was instructed to withhold the results.
The Annual General Meeting and Elections of the Executive members of the USACA Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10am, at The Westin Ft. Lauderdale Hotel, 400 Corporate Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Agenda
1. Roll Call and registration of delegates
2. Reading of minutes
3. Ratification of minutes
4. Financial Report
5. Report of the Board
6. Report of the Regional Administrations
7. Election of Directors
8. Other Business
9. Adjournment
2012 Elections time line
1. Nominations Open – March 6
2. Nominations Close – Midnight March 12
3. Deadline for Nominees to accept nomination – No later than midnight on March 17
4. Background checks to be completed – No later than midnight on March 19
5. Ballots to eligible voters – No later than March 23
6. AGM and Elections – April 14
FAQ:
Q. Who is eligible to make nominations?
A. Any member of any member club of any USACA member league
Q. How to submit nominations?
A. Complete the prescribed nomination form and submit as directed
You may submit by e-mail or fax
A Nomination Form is available on the USACA website
Q. Who is eligible to be nominated?
A. Any individual who is 18 years of age or older and who is a legal permanent resident of the United States of America and who has the power under law to contract, may be nominated for election to the Board
Q. Can I nominate the same person for more than one position?
A. Yes. However each nomination must be done separately
Q. Who is eligible to vote?
A. The sitting presidents of USACA member leagues in Good Standing and approved by the Board as being eligible to vote
Q. How do I vote?
A. If you are the sitting president of a league approved by the Board to vote you will be sent a ballot.
You may vote by submitting your ballot in person at the AGM or by mail.
Q. Can I vote by proxy?
A. Yes