SIGMORPHON: Sample Ballot and Vote Tallies

This page contains the ballot that was used to amend the SIG's constitution in July 2006. Below each proposal is the final vote tally for that proposal.
All SIGPHON members are eligible -- and encouraged -- to vote. Note that changes to the [original] constitution require a two-thirds majority of those who are eligible to vote; therefore, a vote of "Abstain" is equivalent to a vote of "Against." The Executive Committee recommends a vote of "For" in all cases. All constitutional changes must be approved by the ACL.

  1. Amendment to change the SIG's name to include "Computational Morphology," and to change the SIG's purpose to include computational morphology and phonetics as well as phonology:

    The purpose of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) Special Interest Group on Computational Morphology and Phonology (the SIG) shall be to is to foster computational research on the phonological, morphological, and phonetic properties of human language. Specifically, the SIG aims to promote interest in computational phonology; to provide members of the ACL with a special interest in computational phonology with a means of exchanging news of recent research developments and other matters of interest in computational phonology these subjects; to foster discussion of these subjects among members of the ACL; and to sponsor relevant meetings and workshops in computational phonology that appear to be timely and worthwile, operating within the framework of the ACL's general guidelines for SIGs.
    Justification: No other ACL SIG covers computational morphology or phonetics/speech. The 2002, 2004, and 2006 SIGPHON workshops included computational morphology prominently in their calls for papers and their technical programs.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 46 For, 3 Against

  2. Amend the constitution to specify "SIGMORPHON" as the short name of the SIG, replacing "the SIG" with "SIGMORPHON" throughout (after any other changes approved on this ballot).
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 44 For, 5 Against

  3. Amend the constitution to add to the enumerated duties of the President:

    To ensure that the Executive Committee considers appropriate opportunities to sponsor (or co-sponsor) meetings and workshops; and to designate the primary organizers (or co-organizers) of any such meetings and workshops, in consultation with the Executive Committee.
    Justification: Makes explicit the past practice of the SIG, and the authority of the SIG to delegate organizational responsibility for workshops.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  4. Amend the constitution to alter the enumerated duties of the President and eliminate the position of Newsletter Editor:

    To designate a Newsletter Editor for the SIG, who shall be responsible for compiling a quarterly electronic newsletter.
    Justification: The SIG has not issued newsletters (quarterly or otherwise) for many years, preferring to send individual postings to the SIG's mailing list. The mailing list is maintained by the Resource Manager (see below). It is not clear that newsletters should be a core consitutional responsibility of the SIG; the form, content, and frequency of communication with the membership should be at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  5. Amend the constitution to update the duties of the Resource Manager:

    To designate a Resources Manager for the SIG, who shall be responsible for maintaining an FTP directory for housing papers, programs and the membership directory public resources provided by the SIG, such as websites and mailing lists.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  6. Amend the constitution to clarify that the Secretary's duties include overseeing elections and referenda:
    To conduct elections and referenda as mandated below, or to delegate this responsibility.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  7. Amend the constitution to state that the Secretary's reporting on the SIG finances is not necessarily annual, but as requested by the ACL:

    To be responsible for any moneys awarded to the SIG by the ACL; to collect and manage any dues that may be required by the organization SIG; and to present a written annual prepare any reports on the SIG finances to that may be requested by the Executive Committee of the ACL.
    Justification: The ACL's requests may be more or less frequent. Annual reports do not appear to be required at present, since the SIG has no independent finances.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  8. Amend the constitution to cull the membership list as needed, rather than annually:

    Membership is open to anyone who professes an interest in computational phonology. Membership will be terminated on request, or automatically if no reply is received within 6 months of posting an annual a membership list update message.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 47 For, 2 Against

  9. Amend the constitution to shorten the time period allowed to reply to a membership list update message:

    Membership is open to anyone who professes an interest in computational phonology. Membership will be terminated on request, or automatically if no reply is received within 6 2 months of posting an annual membership list update message. Automatically terminated memberships will be reinstated on request.
    Justification: Places membership renewal on the same timeline as elections, constitutional amendments, and other motions. This makes it easier to request membership renewal and voting on a single form (e.g., this web form), which reduces the administrative overhead on SIG members and makes it simpler to determine who is eligible to vote.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 46 For, 3 Against

  10. Amend the constitution to clarify what it means to "post" an annual membership list update message:

    Membership is open to anyone who professes an interest in computational phonology. Membership will be terminated on request, or automatically if no reply is received within 6 months of posting an annual membership list update message renewal request. Such requests are to be communicated by the medium, and to the address, last notified to the Secretary.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  11. Amend the constitution to clarify the timing of nominations and elections:

    All officers of the SIG shall be elected by a vote of the membership. Elections shall take place Voting shall commence at least two months before the expiration of the current terms of the officers to be elected, with at least 4 weeks notice of nominations to SIG members and voting shall close on that expiration date. Four weeks prior to the commencement of voting, SIG members will be given notice to submit nominations for SIG officers. Each nomination must be seconded by two SIG members and must provide evidence that the nominee will serve if elected.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  12. Amend the constitution so that the default vote counter for elections is the Secretary, and to clarify that while mail is a permitted method of voting, other means such as a web form are also permitted.

    Votes may be entered by electronic or physical mail or other designated means, and votes arriving by the notified closing date will be counted by the Secretary or another a returning officer appointed by the Executive Committee
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  13. Amend the constitution to allow for emergency replacements of SIG officers:

    (Added as the final paragraph of "IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS")

    If a vacancy occurs among the officers of the SIG, the remaining SIG officers may nominate a replacement officer who will serve out the remainder of the previous office holder's term.
    Proposal passed: 47 For, 2 Against
    Your vote: *

  14. Amend the constitution to clarify and refine the timing of referenda:

    Members will be given notification at least three months in advance of any referendum notified at least two months before voting commences that a referendum is to take place, and further motions or amendments (including constitutional amendments) proposed by two members shall be accepted up to two months before the close of voting. one month before the start of voting. Motions may be modified or withdrawn by their proposers at any time before the start of voting. All members of the SIG shall be notified promptly of all motions and modifications thereto, to permit discussion.

    Votes may be entered by electronic or physical mail or other designated means, and votes arriving by the notified closing date will be counted by a returning officer appointed by the Executive Committee and agreed to by the petitioners. All members shall be notified of the date of the referendum and the proposed motions and amendments at least four weeks prior to the close of voting, The voting period shall be at least one month, and results shall be notified to the members within four weeks of the close of voting communicated promptly to the members.

    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

  15. Amend the constitution to change the requirement for a constitutional amendment to a 2/3 majority of those actually voting, rather a 2/3 majority of eligible voters.

    Any change to this constitution requires a two-thirds majority of those eligible to vote votes received from eligible voters and is subject to approval by ACL. Any other matter requires a simple majority of those actually voting.
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 48 For, 1 Against

  16. Motion to prematurely end the current term of the SIG's Executive Committee on September 30, 2007 (instead of April 30, 2008).

    Justification: Synchronizes the term of the Executive Committee with the schedule for workshops, which have traditionally been conducted in even-numbered years. For example, the next executive commmittee would be installed in time to plan as well as organize the 2008 workshop (with advice from the outgoing members, who are required to remain active for three months).
    Your vote: *
    Proposal passed: 49 For, 0 Against

 
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