What shall we call our new psephological assocation/society?

[Deleted]

The hon. Member for Worthing Pier jamesdoyle has, to much cross-party acclaim, proposed that we create a new psephological association/society, purely concerned with matters related to the administration of elections, and dissemination of information about elections and results.

vote-2012.proboards.com/thread/4290/psephologists-first?page=1

We want all councils and returning officers to get their act together in providing prompt, consistent, easy to access, clear, detailed online information both in terms of persons nominated and election results themselves, all year round.

Perhaps the first thing we'll need to do is choose a name for this new organisation.

James has also suggested that Kris creates a new sub-forum to discuss how we move ahead with this project, such as creating a website, electing the first Chairman etc.

[Arthur Figgis]

Bob.

[peterl]

The Psephological Society

As for chairmanship elections, I think before we elect anyone we need to get some basics down, such as

- How will the society be run? Will there only be a chairman, or other officers such as a press officer, vice chairman, council liaison etc. Maybe liaison officers with the larger parties. Should there be a committee to run the society. If so, will we elect a committee who will then choose the officers (Leader and Cabinet style) or a committee and specific officers separately (more of an Elected Mayor model).

- How often will these elections be held? If there is a committee, will it be all up elections or by thirds?

- What election system should be used. FPTP? Two round? AV?

[finsobruce]

May 27, 2014 21:49:02 GMT Arthur Figgis said:

Bob.

 Fine chap, "Bob". 
Attachment Deleted

[Harry Hayfield]

I prefer The Psephlogists Association (with suitable Welsh and Gaelic translations)

[J.G.Harston]

May 27, 2014 22:30:21 GMT Harry Hayfield said:

I prefer The Psephlogists Association (with suitable Welsh and Gaelic translations)

I've been trying to work out a name that would have the initials IPA.

[Richard Allen]

42

[carlton43]

Pebbles From Skulls Group.

[swindonlad]

May 27, 2014 22:12:51 GMT peterl said:

The Psephological Society

As for chairmanship elections, I think before we elect anyone we need to get some basics down, such as

- How will the society be run? Will there only be a chairman, or other officers such as a press officer, vice chairman, council liaison etc. Maybe liaison officers with the larger parties. Should there be a committee to run the society. If so, will we elect a committee who will then choose the officers (Leader and Cabinet style) or a committee and specific officers separately (more of an Elected Mayor model).

- How often will these elections be held? If there is a committee, will it be all up elections or by thirds?

- What election system should be used. FPTP? Two round? AV?

I did wonder how long before the matter of voting for committee members would come up, think this could be a sticking point seeing the membership!

I agree with the underlying points in your post, we need to get organised, with aims & objectives and rules, dare I mention membership fees. I would suggest a steering committee is set up (via a subforum) to drive this forward. Happy to help now I have more free time

[Deleted]

I shall post a draft mission statement and platform later today.
I think, pace doktorb, if we can get a name sorted out then we can discuss the important points about structure in a subforum; otherwise we're either going to have one unwieldy thread coverign everything, or we'll swamp the offtopic forum with masses of threads

[Deleted]

New poll added - expires at 10pm tomorrow night. Make it part of the Prediction Competition.

I would personally go for The Psephological Assocation. If anyone (seriously ^) has another name to propose, propose it. If Other gets enough votes, or there's a tie for first place, I'll re-run this poll.

Edit: I have decided to change my vote to The Psephological Society.

[Rose Tinted Lane]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested the inclusion of the word "British", given that we only seem to be concerned with elections in Britain?

British Psephological Association/Society/Guild/League?

[Deleted]

May 28, 2014 10:35:59 GMT Rose Tinted Lane said:

we only seem to be concerned with elections in Britain?

On the contrary, we have plenty of threads concerning foreign elections. Who knows, we may end up with branches abroad.

[Rose Tinted Lane]

I was going off the post that was made elsewhere:

[Name of Society]

Mission Statement

The [Name of Society] exists to promote efficient and transparent administration of elections in the United Kingdom. The Society concerns itself with the dissemination of information before, during and after the elections themselves, and will work in partnership with councils, returning officers, interested national organisations, and the media, to ensure that public access to information is as open and deep as possible.

The Society is a political, but non-party, organisation, open to all those interested in the analysis and study of elections, and all collateral matters.

Platform

The society is concerned with:
- all regular elections to European, national, regional and local authority bodies in the United Kingdom
- by-elections to said bodies

The Society will act as a critical friend to concerned organisations, and respondent to consultations on:
accessibility and presentation standards
- use of modern (social) media
- management of election counts
- clear analysis
- boundary reviews
- media presentation and commentary on elections

[Deleted]

I think that I like Pete Whitehead's suggestion of Psephological Society.

The great eighteenth century Societies (which are now generally Royal, of course) were set up by and for enthusiastic amateurs, people who had a passion for their subject and an urge to promote the subject and knowledge of it among a wider audience.

I think we would fit within that noble amateur tradition very well.

[Deleted]

May 28, 2014 12:52:31 GMT @stuart said:

May 28, 2014 10:46:02 GMT jamesdoyle said:

I think that I like Pete Whitehead's suggestion of Psephological Society.

The great eighteenth century Societies (which are now generally Royal, of course) were set up by and for enthusiastic amateurs, people who had a passion for their subject and an urge to promote the subject and knowledge of it among a wider audience.

I think we would fit within that noble amateur tradition very well.

I like that, can we raise subscriptions to buy a club house in London?

Or more likely a beach hut at New Brighton ...

[Davıd Boothroyd]

I'd go for the Psephologist's Guild. Then we can pretend to have a livery.

[Sibboleth]

May 28, 2014 16:30:11 GMT Davıd Boothroyd said:

I'd go for the Psephologist's Guild. Then we can pretend to have a livery.

Yes, this is a good idea. I could draw it for you all and for a very modest fee

[neilm]

May 28, 2014 12:57:06 GMT @robin said:

May 28, 2014 12:52:31 GMT @stuart said:

I like that, can we raise subscriptions to buy a club house in London?

Or more likely a beach hut at New Brighton ...

We can move into Burlington House and occupy the West Wing.

[Deleted]

May 28, 2014 16:49:37 GMT neilm said:

May 28, 2014 12:57:06 GMT @robin said:

Or more likely a beach hut at New Brighton ...

We can move into Burlington House and occupy the West Wing.

Nah, we gang up on the Heralds and kick them out of the College of Arms, then we can call our officers Rouge Ballot Box and Nominations Paper Pursuivant.