The Elections Committee has established the following elections schedule and guidelines:

• FYLPRO General Meeting: October 18, 2023
  Election Committee must be prepared to answer election questions
• Nov. 1: Election Announcements (Mass email)
  An Announcement promoting an updated fylpro.org/elections page shall be sent via email to FYLPRO’s membership and posted on social media.
• Elections Info Session: Monday, Nov. 13 3pm HST, 9pm EST
  For candidates with questions
• Nov. 30: Deadline to become active members
  Anyone who has paid dues or has acquired active membership before Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. EST shall be considered “ACTIVE” members of the organization. Only active members can run for office or vote in the upcoming election.
• Dec. 1-9: Candidate filing period
  Active members are allowed to NOMINATE individuals to run for open positions, provided they have clear consent (written, email/text, or verbal is OK) from the candidate. Nominators will also serve as representatives of the candidate and will answer the questions on behalf of the candidate on the form. (Otherwise, it’s much easier if the candidate fills out the form directly).

CANDIDATE FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE DEC. 1

The Elections Committee will review the submissions as they come in. If the candidate is qualified and has submitted all the required documents, their name will be published on this page. The form will no longer accept responses on Dec. 9 midnight.

• Dec. 1-15: Campaign period

The campaign period is governed by the following guidelines:

• • Voters will only have TWO official venues to learn about the candidates - through the official page at fylpro.org/elections, and at the Town Hall meeting. A recording of the Town Hall will also be available on the webpage for those who couldn’t make it.
  • Official FYLPRO social media accounts, including the affiliated Groups on Facebook shall not be used as a campaign venue, therefore campaigning is not allowed from the candidates. Only official elections announcements shall be posted during the period.
  • Candidates are allowed to utilize their own resources, such as personal social media accounts and websites to get creative for their campaign.
  • Candidates must exercise responsible campaign methods, acquire contacts via ethical means, avoid “spam-like” multiple messaging or posting, and must avoid using FYLPRO resources for election purposes.
  • Posting on FYLPRO Alumni FB Group is allowed, but note that the group is limited to alumni only.
  • Candidates may invite voters to ask them questions directly.
  • Candidates who currently own a fylpro.org email address must refrain from using their official email for campaign purposes.
  • No monetary compensation or transactions must occur among the candidates and voters. 
  • All reports on violations shall be reviewed by the Elections Committee. The Committee shall determine the appropriate sanction for any violation or alternative action.

Best practice recommendations:

• • This webpage can include campaign links from the candidates. Take advantage of this to possibly link to a Google slide or online-based presentation that you can update.
  • The Elections Committee allows for “updates” on candidates’ online profile at fylpro.org/elections until December 15. Just email elections@fylpro.org (or Kit directly) for your revisions and we will strive to be timely in updating the page.
  • The Elections Committee shall be referencing fylpro.org/elections in reminder membership emails leading to the Town Hall and dates of elections. 

• Dec. 7 - Candidates Town Hall 

Date and Time and Zoom link TBA

At the Candidates Town Hall, each candidate, categorized by the position they are running for, will randomly be given an opportunity to address the membership. The exact time shall be determined later and will depend on the number of candidates. Candidates will be able to share their screen to share a presentation. Make it fun and creative!

The Town Hall is not a debate. The Town Hall is an opportunity for the candidates to share their platform.

Questions will be entertained from the audience. Candidates may submit a recorded message if they are unable to attend.

• Election days: Dec Sat 16 - Sunday 17

Election Runner codes shall be emailed to voters on Dec. 15 as a final reminder. Ballots may be cast beginning Dec. 16 at 8 a.m. EST, and shall close on Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST. via electionrunner.com

Candidates receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared the winner.

TIE

In the event of a tie, the Elections Committee shall convene the involved candidates to discuss and agree on a tie-breaker procedure.

The three options are:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Conduct special elections: This will be similar to a “recount” and the parties will rely on the voters changing their vote for a different outcome.
            2. Board Decision: The current sitting board will have a special meeting closed to the public (executive session) to decide on the result. If a candidate is a member of the board, they will be excused. 
            3. Coin Toss or Draw sticks: If the candidates agree to making a quick and hard decision, the Elections Committee will leave it to fate to decide with a coin toss or draw sticks, or similar.

• Dec 18 Appeals and Announcement

The Elections Committee shall publish the results of the elections on Election Runner momentarily after the closing to inform the voters of the results. There shall be two days dedicated to appeals or questions from any candidate before an official announcement is sent out via email to the membership, and posted on official social media pages on Dec. 20.

The Elections Committee submits a report to the Board and adjourns.

• Dec 20 Official Announcement

Expectations serving on the FYLPRO Board?
As a member of the Board of Directors, you will work with the FYLPRO Executive Committee led by the President in deciding and executing on the overall strategic direction, fiscal health (including Give-Get responsibilities) and future projects of the organization.

Purpose: The Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance, establishes policy, oversees the operations and financial performance of FYLPRO's and assesses the Board’s own effectiveness. Our Board Members will serve on several committees, including:

• Executive
• Finance & Audit
• Marketing & Communications
• Fundraising & Development
• Governance and Legal (ByLaws and Elections)
• Program & Events
• Technology

Expectations when attending a meeting:

• Be well informed on issues and agenda items in advance of meetings
• Contribute skills, knowledge and experience when appropriate
• Listen respectfully to other points of view
• Participate in organizational decision-making
• Financially support the organization
• Assume leadership roles in all board activities, including fundraising
• Represent the organization to the public and private industry
• Educate yourself about the needs of the people served (general membership)
• Remain informed about the organization
• Know the organization’s history, mission and goals

Requirements and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 hours a month
• Board member individual Give-Get minimum: $1000 (50% in-kind is OK)
• Personal commitment to devote the time necessary to perform the responsibilities of a Board member
• Strong communication and collaborative skills
• Previous non-profit board experience is an asset

Compensation: Board Members work voluntarily without any compensation.

The organization’s guiding principles include:

• Integrity – Accountability, Preservation of History, Leadership, Pride in Being Filipino
• Innovation – Data-driven, Creativity
• Inclusivity – Compassion, Collaboration, Kapwa, Bayanihan

Our core purpose - reasons why we do what we do:

• Bridge connection between Filipinos and Fil-Am issues
• Representation in numbers and credibility
• To discover, design and define the Filipino brand

We aim to:

• Capture and magnify the voice of the Filipino youth community in the US (ages 40 & under)
• Preserve the Filipino culture, customs, and values
• Build empathy towards Filipino community both in the Philippines and the US
• Maintain grassroots and non-partisan approach of working locally in the fields of: arts/culture, business, design, education, engineering, finance, government, medicine, policy, and technology that will have an impact nationally and globally
• Continue and strengthen the dialogue with the highest officials and policymakers in the Philippines and US, leaders of industry, media, artists and cultural experts, and entrepreneurs.

Interested to know what candidates submitted in last year's elections? Visit last year's page.