2020 Spring Term Declaration Packet
- JBA BBG
- Nov 22, 2019
- 9 min read
The full declaration packet is available in the GroupMe and the Facebook Group. Email us at anytime to be added if you're a member! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wlA65QctVVTlrNh6RPnaIj3QyQM_mEo95oooZnmcq9E/edit?usp=sharing
My Sister B’nai B’rith Girls,
The exciting time of the year has come where we have the opportunity to elect Jane Beber Abramson’s 9th Term Board. This is an opportunity for individuals to step up and become leaders in our chapter. Remember, board positions require conducting yourself as a role model for the chapter and the region. This is the time to truly embody the change you want to see in the chapter. Holding a board position is a huge time commitment; it is imperative to attend chapter and regional events. It is also extremely important to attend all meetings and to work hard at your position as well as collaborating together with other board members. It is expected that board members are present at all chapter events unless given permission by the N’siah which can occur a maximum of 3 times per term. Also, please keep in mind that BBYO has a very strict, “no politicking” policy. This means you may not advertise your candidacy or let others advertise it for you. You may not tell anyone what you are running for except for myself and our advisors. If you would like to talk to the person who currently holds the position you are considering running for, you may do so, as long as you don’t tell them you ARE running for that position.
Please approach elections confidently and with a positive attitude. Also, please do not be discouraged if you don’t get the board position you hoped for and do not quit Jane Beber Abramson BBG or BBYO as a whole. Although it may be difficult at first, it will be a valuable learning experience. Despite not holding a board position, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved and be a leader on the chapter and regional level. Some examples include the regional leadership network or convention steering!
It is important, even if you decide not to run for a position, to attend elections. This is your opportunity to elect the new leaders of Jane Beber Abramson, the individuals who will represent your ideas and goals for this chapter. However, do not just vote for your friends, enter elections with an open mind to all candidates.
In this election packet, you will find everything there is to know about the upcoming elections. You'll also learn about each position and its included responsibilities. I encourage each and every one of you to run for board! It is such an incredible experience that can help you develop important leadership skills. Please look through this packet to decide if you think running for chapter board is right for you. I know that all of you have the potential to bring JBA to new heights! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to talk to Jennifer, Jenna or myself! We're here for you for whatever you may need!
Submitted with Undying Love for Jane Beber Abramson
I forever remain,
Hailey Ilana Cooper
Fall Term 2019 N’Siah
***It is REQUIRED to send these necessary emails etc. to our advisors and myself***
Step #1: Declaration of Candidacy • [ 11 / 25 / 19 ]
You must declare your candidacy by emailing
with the following information:
• Name
•Position(s) considering
•Position(s) you would drop down to
•Grade
•Email Address
•Cell Phone Number
And info if able to attend elections, installations and board training
**Keep in mind that this is not binding and you can decide later to change positions or not run at all. However, if you are considering running and do not send in a declaration, you will not be allowed to run.
Step #2: Forms and Signatures • [ 12 / 2 / 19 ]
The official forms attached to this packet (Declaration of Candidacy, Candidate and Parent Agreement, and the Candidate Agreement) must be filled out and emailed to haileycooper@me.com and JBA.advisor@gmail.com or handed to myself-and no one else- at a chapter meeting by this date.
**Again, these are not binding, but you must turn them in if you want to be allowed to run.
Step #3: Platform Submission • [ 12 / 13 / 19 ]
Your platform will be sent to haileycooper@me.com and JBA.advisor@gmail.com in order to confirm that everything is factual and fits the standards set out in this packet. We are not responsible for any spelling errors, grammar mistakes– those are your edits to make!
Step #4: Elections • [ 12 / 15 / 19 ]
You must be in attendance for elections in their entirety in order to run for a position! Elections will take place from 1:00-4:00 pm
BOARD TRAINING WILL BE ON JAN 19TH
Not sure if you should run? Ask yourself these evaluation questions!
Will my schedule allow for me to be present at chapter events including meetings and programs, abiding by the policy of not missing more than 3 meetings?
Do I want to improve all aspects of JBA and bring my chapter to new heights?
Am I willing to work with other members and make compromises in order to better my chapter?
Will I follow through with all of my responsibilities?
Am I willing to put myself out there and understand that elections may not go in my favor? If I lose, will I continue to come to meetings and act maturely about my loss?
Am I a good role model and do I represent JBA in a positive way?
Will I run based on the position that's right for me, not the rank of the position?
Must not miss more than 3 meetings in a term. If a meeting is missed, you must inform the current N'siah and advisors
Must work diligently.
Must respect and work well with other board members.
Must serve as a role model to the chapter (do not be on phones during meetings, do not be disruptive, etc).
Must be able to attend board training.
(President)
Current: Hailey Cooper
Time commitment: 2.5 hours per week excluding program time
-Oversees all board positions and chapter
events
- Works well with jenna and Jen [advisors]
- Remains in constant communication with
everyone
- Conducts business meetings/elections
- Corresponds with Regional N'siah
- Tries to attend all conventions
- Aware of everything going on in Jane Beber Abramson
- Serves as a role model 24/7
- Represents JBA with PRIDE!
- Must have held TWO TERMS of different board positions in the past to be eligible to run or special permission from Nsiah/advisors if not qualified.
(Vice President of Programming)
Current: Laine Farber
Time commitment: 1.5 hours per week excluding program time
- Incorporates 6 folds into programs
- Overlooks all planning of chapter programs
- Helps members plan programs
- Puts programs on dashboard at least 2 weeks
in advance
- Represents chapter if N'siah is absent
- Corresponds with Regional S'ganit
- Must have held ONE DIFFERENT board position in the past to be eligible to run or special permission from N’siah if not qualified.
(Vice President of Communication)
Current: Rosie Ezgur
Time commitment: 1 hour per week excluding program time
- Make weekly calls and texts to ALL
members
and prospects
- Make sure Advisors are updated
- Maintain Facebook/Twitter/Instagram
- Take minutes at business meetings/
elections
- Create Jane Beber Abramson Newsletter
- Send out parent emails
- Correspond with Regional Mazkirah
(Vice President of Judaism & Community Service)
Current: Ellie Weiss
Time commitment: 1 hour per week excluding program time
- Incorporates Judaism, Social Action, mad
Community Service into programs
- Plans community service projects for Jane Beber Abramson
- Plans BBG Shabbat/Chapter Shabbat
- Promotes Stand UP and Speak UP
- Educates about Israel and Jewish Holidays
- Corresponds with Regional Sh'licha
(Vice President of Membership)
Current: Rachel Rochlen
Time commitment: 2.5 hours per week excluding program time
-Educates new members about principles,
traditions, folds, policies, and everything you
need to know about BBG and BBYO
-Conducts MIT classes
-Helps prospects join BBYO
-Focuses on the 3 R's: recruit, reeducate,
retention
-Ensures that all members feel welcome
and comfortable in Jane Beber Abramson
-Promotes summer programs, especially
CLTC
Corresponds with Regional MIT Mom
(Vice President of Fundraising)
Current: Daniela Ostrov
Time commitment: 45 min. per week excluding program time
- Conducts chapter fundraisers
- Raises money for chapter, Stand UP
cause, and ISF
- Maintains chapter bank account
- Corresponds with Regional Gizborit
(Vice President of 6th, 7th and 8th grade connection)
Sammie Swafford
Time commitment: 45 min. per week excluding program time
-Recruits 6-8th grade prospects
-forms connections with younger prospects helping them to feel comfortable and ready to join BBYO when they are able to (8th grade)
-Collaborate with S’ganit to hold connect events with 6-8th graders to get younger girls excited to join our chapter
**You may talk to any board member regarding the responsibilities of the position in order to see if it’s something you’re interested in
You may not, under any circumstances, discuss your own caucusing for said position
Platform Guidelines:
A platform is a way to outline goals, ideas, and qualifications a candidate has when running for a board position. In BBYO, a candidate running for chapter, regional, or international board makes a
platform to show what he wants to do with the position in a way that will convince voters that he/she is the best candidate for the position. There is no set way to make a platform. Creativity is encouraged. You want your platform to stand out, so add something unique when creating your platform. Whether you fold, cut, or do anything else you can come up with, make the platform you hand out your very own. Although creativity is highly encouraged, there are several things that you should have on your platform no matter what format you use:
Qualifications: What positions have you held in BBYO? What chapter, regional, and international events have you attended? What awards have you earned? What accomplishments do you have outside of BBYO that are relevant to the position you are running for?
Goals: What do you hope to achieve during your term if elected to this position? What is your vision for this job? (Candidates often arrange their goals according to divisions outlined in the responsibilities for their position. For example, the MIT Mom may divide goals into recruitment, retention, and education.)
Ideas: Outline concrete ideas you have for the position. While it is important to put the basics that are common for the position, it is vital to focus on changes or new ideas that you have. If voters read anything on your platform, it will be your new ideas.
You can also address questions such as how you will accomplish the goals you have outlined, and why you are best suited for the position, in a short personal statement
* see examples of some amazing platforms, visit
Platforms may cover both sides of a sheet of paper that is no larger
than 8x11 (the size of computer paper) of any solid color.
There must be no color ink used; only black.
One sticker is allowed in order to secure a folded platform. Just one.
Platforms may be cut or folded into any shape desired
All information on platforms must be true.
Platforms must be submitted to me by the date above. The platform you use during elections must be exactly the same as the one that was approved beforehand.
Speech Guidelines:
During elections, you will have an allotted amount of time based on your desired position to give a speech. This is a time for you to share your vision, goals, ideas, and passion about BBYO with your sister BBGs. Be sure to time yourself when practicing your speech; you will be cut off if it exceeds time limitations.
N’siah– 4 mins
S’ganit– 3 mins
MIT Mom– 3 mins
Sh’licha– 3 mins
Mazkirah— 3 mins
Gizborit— 3 mins
Mekasheret– 3 mins
Question and Answer Guidelines:
After you distribute your platforms and give your speech, members of the chapter will have the opportunity to ask you position specific questions. You will have thirty seconds to consider and ninety seconds to answer each question.
Drop-down Guidelines:
Candidates who choose to “slide” (lose one position and drop to another) will have 1 minute to state only their qualifications. In order to be eligible for dropping down, the candidate must have included their tentative drop down position in their declaration of candidacy, and the official position to which they are dropping down must be shared with Hailey no later than the day before elections. Nominations from the floor, i.e. nominations for someone who has not declared their candidacy or prepared any materials, will be honored so long as the nominee. has been nominated without requesting nomination and b. is a member in good standing of Jane Beber Abramson BBG. Nominations from the floor will have 1 minute to state only their qualifications.
Voting:
Every official JBA member attending elections will have one vote. A majority (50% +1) is needed for a candidate to win; if a majority is not reached, a re-vote will occur.
Politicking Policy:
Politicking is defined as letting other people know what you are running for prior to elections. Members should be going into elections having no idea who is running for what; this is in an effort to keep elections as fair as possible. Under no circumstances will politicking be allowed. If I find out you are politicking, you will be swiftly removed as a candidate. This is serious stuff. You may only discuss your candidacy with me, or the Regional N’siah or our advisors.
ELECTIONS WILL BE ON DECEMBER 15TH
BOARD INSTALLATIONS WILL BE ON JANUARY 17TH
BOARD TRAINING WILL BE ON JANUARY 19TH
Please reach out to our advisors or myself with any questions you may have!
Self Evaluation Questionnaire
How many obligations do you have inside or outside of school excluding BBYO? This includes various clubs, sports etc.
a.) 3+
b.) 1 to 2
c.) 0
How much time do each of these obligations take during the week?
How much time does your most demanding obligation take during the week?
Ex: a sport each day vs a club that meets once a week/month
a.) 3+ days out of the week
b.) One to two days during the week
c.) Does not occur each week
Are these obligations inside or outside of school?
a.) Outside of school
b.) Inside of school
If the election does not go your way, will you remain a member of the chapter and remain mature regarding this?
a.) no way!
b.) maybe
c.) of course!
RESULTS:
Mostly a’s: You may not have enough time to dedicate to chapter board this term.
Mostly b’s: Consider a position with a smaller time commitment that enables you to dedicate as much time as necessary to BBYO and the chapter
Mostly c’s: It looks like you have enough time to dedicate to chapter board! Please reach out to advisors or myself regarding specific positions you are eligible for. We’d give for you to get involved!
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