Introduction

In 2009, the state/territory/tribal breastfeeding coalitions were invited to elect regional representatives to participate in USBC’s strategic planning process. Each state and territory was assigned to one of seven geographic regions, with an eighth region for tribal coalitions. Eight Coalitions Regional Representatives were thus elected to attend the January 2009 USBC meetings. They also attended the August 2009 and January 2010 USBC meetings, to participate in adoption of the final strategic plan and implementation planning.

Although they originally volunteered to serve on a limited, temporary basis for strategic planning, the eight elected Reps have since agreed to take on additional responsibilities as moderators of the regional list servs and bi-monthly regional teleconference discussions. Recognizing the value of this regional structure for enhanced communication and collaboration, the USBC Coalitions Committee met in August 2009 to discuss how to continue it. It was recommended that the regional representative structure be sustained and formalized, with new elections held after the 2010 conference.

USBC is now serving as facilitator of a nominations and election process to assist the coalitions in selecting individuals to represent the coalitions regions at USBC meetings.

Nominations

Elections will be held in March-April 2010 for Coalitions Regional Reps (CRRs) and Alternate Regional Reps (ARRs) for the seven geographical regions; the Tribal Region is still forming and will not hold an election at this time. All nominees should be active members of their state/territory breastfeeding coalition. If the coalition does not have formal members, the nominee should be an active leader or participant in the coalition’s activities. By submitting a self-nomination, an individual affirms that they are willing and able to take on the CRR or ARR Roles and Responsibilities. CRR and ARR positions are held by individuals, and as such are not reflective or representative of individual representatives’ coalitions. The duties of the CRRs/ARRs shall be to serve and carry out the best interests of the region as a whole.

Coalitions Regional Representatives and Alternate Regional Representatives will serve for three year terms. The terms shall be staggered to assure no more than three (3) CRRs and three (3) ARRs will be new in any given year. No individual may serve more than six (6) consecutive years; provided, however, that each Rep shall serve until his or her successor has been elected. An individual who has served six (6) consecutive years in either position may be eligible for reelection only after three (3) year’s absence from any Rep position.

To transition to staggered terms, some of those elected in 2010 will be elected for one year, some for two years, and some for 3 years. Initial terms will be as shown in the chart below. After the transition period, all Coalitions Regional Representatives and Alternate Regional Representatives will serve normal three year terms.

Initial Term = 3 years	Initial Term = 2 years	Initial Term = 1 year
Elected next in: 2013	Elected next in: 2012	Elected next in: 2011
West	Mid-Atlantic	Northeast
Southwest	Midwest	Southeast
Tribal	Mountain Plains

Nominations have closed; voting will open on Wednesday, March 24.

Elections

Each state/territory coalition will have one vote towards the selection of their representatives. USBC will serve as election administrator and provide an online election tool for each region. Voting instructions will be sent to the three Designated Contributors for each registered coalition; they will be asked to assign one authorized individual to submit the coalition’s vote. The individual with the highest number of votes in each region will be elected Coalitions Regional Representative; the individual with the second highest number of votes in each region will be elected Alternate Regional Representative. In the event of a tie, there will be a runoff between the two individuals who received the highest number of votes. If a tie persists after the runoff, the election will be decided by the flip of a coin performed by the Chair of the USBC Coalitions Committee.

To update your coalition’s Designated Contributors, please visit the Coalitions Resources page. Registered Coalitions are those listed in USBC’s Coalitions Directory.

The participation of a majority of a region’s coalitions shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for election purposes. CRRs shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, where a quorum has participated.

Vacancies

A vacancy in a region’s CRR position, regardless of cause, shall be filled by the current ARR for the remainder of the term of the CRR to be replaced. A vacancy in a region’s ARR position shall be filled by a special election, following the same procedure used for regular elections.

Nominations/Elections Timeline

Nominations process opens: Monday, March 8
Nominations process closes: Monday, March 22, 8:00 p.m. ET
Voting opens: Wednesday, March 24
Voting closes: Wednesday, April 7
Results announced: Thursday, April 8