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FEBRUARY, 2004 
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Top of page Proxy Voting to Replace Absentee Balloting
Recommendations of Online Voting Task Force & Board of Directors
By: Brian Carswell, Immediate Past President and Chair - Online Voting Task Force
| CANDIDATES |

Vote by Proxy Ballot For more than a year, the Online Voting Task Force has gathered suggestions from members on how to increase the number of people who vote in annual elections for NIRSA officers while maximizing available computer and Internet technology. For the most part, member input has been relayed to the Task Force by NIRSA Regional Vice Presidents through regional conferences, state meetings, and individual conversations with members from around the country.

Realizing the importance that many NIRSA members place on candidate speeches, the Task Force recommended:

  • Continuing the speeches of candidates who are standing for office
  • Continuing to hold elections at the Annual Conference
  • Encouraged the use of electronic voting for members who are unable to attend the Annual Conference in Albuquerque (2004).
  • Proposed a Bylaws amendment at the 2004 Annual Conference that will allow online voting at future conferences up until 24 hours prior to the Annual Business Meeting or Regional Business Meeting (which ever comes first—beginning 2005).

NIRSA’s legal counsel (O’Donnell & Clark, LLP, in Portland, Oregon) was consulted about how to best implement these recommendations and ensure NIRSA compliance with state and federal statutes regulating election of officers of nonprofit corporations.

Our attorneys advised NIRSA that electronic balloting was permitted under state and federal statutes (provided certain safeguards were in place); however, absentee voting is not expressly permitted under Oregon law. Proxy voting, on the other hand, is expressly permitted by Oregon law, and although it is somewhat cumbersome to implement, it was recommended.

NIRSA’s Board of Directors unanimously voted recently to proceed with the recommendations of its legal counsel in order to implement Task Force recommendations. Therefore, proxy ballots for members who do not expect to attend the Annual Business Meeting in Albuquerque will be available electronically from the NIRSA National Center beginning March 4, 2004. A proposal to amend the Bylaws as necessary to include reference to the proxy voting system will be sent to members electronically 30 days before the Annual Business Meeting in Albuquerque and voted on at the meeting.

The following is an excerpt of O’Donnell & Clark’s legal opinion:
“Given the absence of an express provision in the ONCA [Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Act], and the resulting uncertainty in the law, we reluctantly recommend that NIRSA not conduct elections for directors by absentee ballot, whether electronic or otherwise. This recommendation is also premised upon the fundamental nature of membership in a nonprofit corporation allowing members the inalienable right to elect directors [as in Board of Directors] of the nonprofit corporation. The very definition of a “member” is the right to vote for the election of the corporation’s directors. Thus, the use of any method for electing directors will always be subject to heightened scrutiny to protect members’ rights in this regard.

While in the beginning, a proxy system may be more confusing to members and administratively difficult in some respects, we recommend the use of a proxy system…We also recommend amending the Bylaws as necessary to include reference to the proxy voting system. Additionally, we recommend that implementation to such a system in electronic form be carefully structured to comply with UETA [Oregon Uniform Electronic Transaction Act] including the implementation of appropriate security procedures.”

The end result of a Bylaws amendment will be that, if passed, members will have the option of voting for candidates prior to the conference online or voting in person at the Annual and Regional Business meetings. Providing this choice allows members an opportunity to hear candidate speeches before they vote.


President-Elect Candidates
  Jordan
Candidate for
President-Elect

Gregory T. Jordan
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  McQueen
Candidate for

President-Elect
Kirk McQueen
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Region II Vice-President Candidates
  Ehling
Candidate for

Region II Vice-President

Willie Ehling
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  Sanner
Candidate for

Region II Vice-President
Dawn Sanner
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Region IV Vice-President Candidates
  Jenkins
Candidate for

Region IV Vice-President
Keith E. Jenkins
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  Pitre
Candidate for

Region IV Vice-President
James W. (Jimmy) Pitre
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Region VI Vice-President Candidates
  Cat
Candidate for

Region VI Vice-President
Catherine Cramp
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  Kirch
Candidate for

Region VI Vice-President
Thomas Kirch
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President-Elect Candidates

Jordan
Candidate for

President-Elect

Gregory T. Jordan

Greg Jordan, CRSS, first joined NIRSA in 1978, is currently the Director of the Department of Campus Recreation at Oakland (MI) University, a position he has held since October of 1996. He is the only person to serve in this position, as the new facility and department were created at that time. Before moving to Oakland University, Greg served Bowling Green State University for 16 years in three different positions: Associate Director of the Student Recreation Center (1980-84); Director, BGSU Ice Arena (1984-92); and Director, Student Recreation Center Operations/Associate Director, Recreational Sports (1992-96). After obtaining both a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science from Indiana University, he serve as the Assistant Director for Club and Informal Sports at Indiana from 1977-80.

Greg has served NIRSA and state associations in a variety of ways, including:

  • Finance Committee, 2002-present
  • Bylaws Committee, present
  • Work team for hotel attrition issue, 2003
  • NIRSA Parliamentarian, 2003 Cleveland Annual Business Meeting
  • National Recreation Facilities Institute Planning Committee; Austin 2000 (Chair, Design/construction track); Ypsilanti 2003 (host); Newport Beach, 2003 (consultant)
  • Host Region III Student Lead On, January 2002
  • State Director in Michigan (current)
  • State Director in Ohio and Indiana, Charter Member in both state associations
  • Host State workshops in Michigan and Ohio
  • Coordinate and hosted Mid-American Conference Recreational Sports Directors meetings
  • NIRSA Region I Vice President Nominee (1981)
  • Various NIRSA committees including nominations and elections, club sports, chair of constitution, bylaws and operating code, facilities
  • Numerous presentations at state, regional and national workshops, symposium and conferences on subjects including facility design and management, risk management, resume evaluation and the social action theater.
  • Recipient of the Ohio Recreational Sports Association Honor Award, 2002; Indiana University Outstanding Alumni Award, 1993; NIRSA Service Award, 1985

On the Oakland University campus, Greg has been active in representing the Division of Student Affairs on a variety of campus committees. While at Bowling Green, he served as Chair of the Administrative Staff Council and the annual all university United Way campaign.

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McQueen
Candidate for

President-Elect
Kirk McQueen
Kirk McQueen has been a very active member of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) since joining the organization in 1977. Currently, he is serving as the Interim Director of Campus Recreation at The Georgia Institute of Technology. He has been at Georgia Tech for 26 years, serving in various capacities. Kirk has served Georgia Tech as the Coordinator of Sport Clubs and Special Events, Director of Intramurals, as well as Director of Facilities and Operations.

Kirk graduated from Auburn University in 1975 and then went on to graduate school at the University of South Alabama. After receiving his Masters Degree in 1976 he became the Director of Intramurals and Sport Clubs at the University of South Alabama. Since becoming a professional member in 1977, Kirk has attended every National Conference.

The NIRSA has been an important part of Kirk’s life and he has served the association in many roles over the last 26 years. He doesn’t believe in simply attending a conference, he believes that everyone needs to get involved and he does in a number of ways, including presenting at numerous State, Regional and National Conferences. He has also worked on better himself as a professional by attending the School of Recreational Sports Management and the NIRSA Executive Institutes.

Kirk has served the NIRSA in many other ways as well. A few of the ways that he has shown his support and dedication are:

  • Region II Vice President
  • Region II Conference Host 1980 & 1985
  • Hosted the 1st Sport Club Workshop
  • NIRSA Flag Football Rules Committee
  • State Director
  • Facility Committee
  • NIRSA Foundation Board

Because of his service to the association, he received the Region II Service Award. This is an honor that he humbly accepted and values a great deal because it came from the members of the NIRSA.

Away from the NIRSA, Kirk has enjoyed coaching several college sports including Women’s Basketball, Women’s Softball and Women’s Golf. He also enjoys and makes the most of the time he gets to spend with his wife Janet and his daughters Brooke and Madison.

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Vice-President Candidates
Ehling
Candidate for

Region II
Vice-President

Willie Ehling

Over a 20-year period, Willie Ehling has been a student and professional member of the NIRSA. He is in his 15th year as the Director of Campus Recreation and Intramurals at Georgia Southern (1989-present). He served as Assistant Director of Recreation at Appalachian State (ASU) (1986-89). His first full time campus recreation position was at East Carolina University (1984-86) with responsibilities in Intramural Sports. He received his Bachelor of Science in Recreation in 1979, and Master of Arts in Health and Physical Education in (1982) from ASU.

Willie’s involvement with the NIRSA includes:

  • Region II Conference, Presentation Review Committee, 2003
  • Senior Advisory Group/ Value of Recreation Sports on College Campus study, 2003
  • Region II Award of Merit, 2002
  • NIRSA Outstanding Service Award, 2000
  • Affirmative Action Chair, 1998
  • Georgia Southern hosted State and Regional Extramural tournaments
  • Georgia Southern hosted three NIRSA Sports Club National Soccer Tournaments
  • Georgia State Director, 1995
  • Hosted State Workshop, 1995
  • Graduate of the NIRSA Executive Institute in Breckenridge, Colorado, 1992
  • Chaired the College Flag and Touch Football Rules Committee, 1990
  • Graduate of the first NIRSA school of Sports Management held in Indianapolis, Indiana, 1989

Willie has presented at National, Regional, and State meetings on such topics as: research and assessment, leadership/ethics, student learning, employee motivation, preparation for employment, and intramural sports officiating. As a High School Sports Official, he has served as football Assigning Secretary and President of the local football and baseball association. Willie is also a football officials Observer for the Southern Conference.

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Sanner
Candidate for

Region II
Vice-President
Dawn Sanner
Dawn Sanner, a 17-year member of NIRSA, currently serves North Carolina State University as the Director of Facilities. Her current responsibilities include management of the Carmichael Complex including 330,000 square feet of indoor teaching/recreational space and 12 acres of lighted fields. She also leads the planning team for a $12.5 million expansion project under consideration. She has been at NC State for almost three years serving first as the Associate Director of Campus Recreation – Facilities. She has held numerous positions including: eighteen months as Associate Director of Programs at the University of Missouri - Columbia, two years as the Director of Campus Recreation at Francis Marion University, over eight years at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as the Student Aquatic Center Manager and almost two years at Illinois State as a graduate assistant.

She received her Master of Science degree in HPER Administration from Illinois State University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Millikin University.

Dawn has served NIRSA in a variety of capacities including:

  • Student Professional Development Committee, Member, 2003 – Present
  • Nominations and Elections Committee, 2002-2003
  • Finance Committee, 1992-1999
  • NC/SC State Workshop Host Committee, 2002
  • Tennessee State Workshop Coordinator, 1994
  • Illinois State Workshop Committee, 1986
  • Tennessee State Director, 1994-1996
  • South Carolina State Director, 1998-1999
  • NIRSA School for Recreational Sports Management in 2000
  • Numerous presentations at state and regional conferences

Dawn is active in the Raleigh community through work with the American Red Cross, the North Carolina Senior Games and North Carolina Special Olympics.

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Jenkins
Candidate for

Region IV
Vice-President
Keith E. Jenkins
Keith Jenkins is the Director of Recreational Sports and Assistant Dean of Students at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He has held that position since1989. Prior to coming to SHSU, Keith was employed by Northwestern University in Illinois as the Associate Director of Recreation for five years. He holds an AA degree from Schreiner College and both a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of North Texas. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership.

Keith has been actively involved in NIRSA related activities and committees both in Region IV and in Region III while at Northwestern. In addition, he has led and participated in student-lead on workshops, state conferences, and many local initiatives. He has attended both the National School of Sports Management and the National Executive Development Institute and found both to be extremely rewarding.

When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his two kids ages 11 and 12. His favorite interest and hobbies include woodworking, golf, fishing, and traveling.

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Pitre
Candidate for

Region IV
Vice-President
James W. (Jimmy) Pitre
Jimmy Pitre takes great pride in his relationship with the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) for the past twenty-four years. Having been a charter member of Louisiana Colleges Intramural Recreational Sports Association (LCIRSA) since 1980, his roles in these organizations have been varied and enjoyable to say the least.

He has been a Rec Sports Director for twenty-four years with his responsibilities growing each year. He coordinates and manages all campus recreational activities and usage of facilities such as the Recreational Complex, outdoor tennis courts, playing fields, and intramural sports. He also advises and directs the Student Union Board and Student Union Annex while also managing fiscal operations of the recreational facilities and student union, reflecting a budget of over $1,000,000.

As a professional member of NIRSA, he has served on the following committees:
Region VI Vice President Selection Committee, Member Drive/Fee Collection Committees for National Committee, Nominations and Elections Committee (two terms), National Host Committee, and State Director.

Being a charter member of LCIRSA for twenty-three years, he has served in many positions and roles: President, Vice President, Chairman of Marketing Committee, Finance Committee, Rules Committee, Tournament Host, and Protest Committee. He was also the recipient of the LCIRSA Honor Award in 1995. In the community he has served both the city and parish on many committees dealing with the youth, recreation, and charitable needs. He is currently serving as President of the Calcasieu Parish School Board which is an elected position.

With all of his experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm, he humbly requests your support and vote to be your next Region IV Vice-President.

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Cat
Candidate for

Region VI
Vice-President
Catherine Cramp
Catherine Cramp is an Assistant Director of Recreational Sports at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. During her time at Cal Poly, she has managed the Aquatics, Front Line Services, Memberships, Staff Development and Training programs. Her current responsibilities include management of the Collegiate Sport Program and Public Relations, Marketing and Outreach. She is also a part-time lecturer for the Natural Resources Management Department teaching Facilities Management and Recreational Sports Programming.

Catherine holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign and an undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach.

Catherine has been an active NIRSA member for the last 12 years and has attended numerous conferences and presented on the state, regional and national level. She has served on various committees and chaired the Student Leadership & Academic Awards Committee. Presently, she is serving on the Sport Clubs and Student Professionals Committees.

Catherine recently rolled out the “Rec Review”…a comprehensive magazine devoted to recreation, physical activity, and fitness at Cal Poly. This publication, which circulates to a 17,000 student/faculty/staff population covers a wide range of topics from healthy eating, fitness techniques, and program information. She has generated additional revenue through the development of an advertising program as well as programmatic sponsorship from surrounding companies.

Catherine’s passion involves the entrepreneurial spirit in the recreational sports setting. Her enthusiasm stems from the students and colleagues with whom she works. She is highly dedicated to the development and raising the level of professionalism in our field from students to colleagues. She continues to strive for excellence in herself as well as those in the profession.

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Kirch
Candidate for

Region VI
Vice-President
Thomas Kirch
Tom Kirch has been a member of the NIRSA for 24 years. His NIRSA service includes membership on a variety of committees including Finance, Honor Award, and Conference Program, and has presented numerous times at state, regional, and national conferences. Tom has co-hosted the Region VI conference and several Oregon/Washington state workshops. He served on the Board and was a Faculty member for the School of Recreational Sports Management, was Oregon State Director, and co-authored the NIRSA Space Standards for Indoor Facilities.

Tom is the recipient of the NIRSA Service Award, has been awarded the Region VI Regional Award of Merit, and participated in the NIRSA Neighborhood Summits. He is a graduate of both the School of Recreational Sport Management and two Executive Institutes.

Tom has been the Director of Recreational Sports at Oregon State University since 1986. Previously, he held positions of Sport Clubs Coordinator, Facility Manager, and Assistant Director at the University of Washington. He has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters of Science from Puget Sound University. He is a graduate faculty member in the OSU School of Education, in which he teaches and advises in the College Student Service Administration Program. He also serves on the Student Affairs Leadership Team.

Tom values and strongly supports the role the NIRSA plays in the educational and professional development of its members. The networking and relationships formed within the profession has been a cornerstone to the success of the Association, and Tom will continue to nurture and enhance these opportunities when and wherever possible.

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