|
|
|
 July 2002 • Volume 36 • Number 7
Top Story
MacDonald and Ellis Elected New APS Officers
Congratulations to James D. MacDonald, elected vice president (to serve as president in 2004-2005), and Mike A. Ellis, elected councilor-at-large for a three-year term beginning at the end of the 2002 APS Annual Meeting. MacDonald is executive associate dean and professor of plant pathology at the University of California, Davis. Ellis is professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State University/OARDC. Complete biographical sketches, as well as personal statements of leadership submitted by the new officers, appeared in the May 2002 issue of Phytopathology News (Vol. 36, No. 5:56-59).
This year, for the first time, the APS Officer Election was conducted electronically. Members received either an e-mail or letter notifying them of the process and providing their member ID and unique e-signature to validate their ballot.
According to Survey & Ballot Systems, the company APS contracted to conduct the election, most organizations see an initial decline in participation the first year due to the initiation of a new system. However, APS experienced a slight increase in participation from previous mailed ballots, with more than 1,000 members participating. Members had the opportunity to provide their input on the new process. Comments included statements such as, "This procedure is an excellent innovation that should enhance the election process." "I think that the electronic voting is a great idea especially for members like me who are abroad. So I can respond in time. I would urge you to expand it also to other APS activities." "This is great! APS does it again. I am proud to be a part of such a progressive society." "I like this form of voting, it is easy, can be done at any time, and saves the society time and money." "An excellent and welcome idea. I have voted before by regular mail, but the electronic ballot makes the whole process much faster and, I suppose, cost efficient. Congratulations to all involved for making this possible!" Thanks to all the members who took the time to try out this new process. With such a positive response, we hope to continue this effort in the future.
The APS Annual Meeting is only a few weeks away. If you haven't registered and are thinking about it, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. An updated schedule of events and registration materials are available online at http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/2002/. See pages 87-92 of this issue of Phytopathology News for details on networking and professional development opportunities as well as a comprehensive listing of the exhibitors that will be available at the meeting. See you in Milwaukee-the gathering place! 
© Copyright 2001 by
|
