The BJCP will hold Representative elections from May 1 to May 15, 2014. The Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, and West regions each have a Representative position up for election. These regions include 53% of all active BJCP members. Additionally, because of the way in which officers (President, Vice President, and Treasurer) are elected, 2014 elections will result in a new Vice President and may also include a new President and Treasurer for the BJCP.

The BJCP Bylaws separate roles within the organization into several groups: Board Members, Officers, Staff, Committee Members, and Program Members. Board Members, or "Representatives," include seven individuals who are elected to represent their geographical regions. Once elected, the Board then holds an internal election and elects individuals to fill the positions of President, Vice President and Treasurer.

BJCP Elections are administered and executed by the BJCP election committee, this year comprised of Mike Dixon, Jim Wilson, and Jeff Sanders. This group is qualified and appointed by the Board to ensure there are no conflicting interests and that its members may independently execute the elections according to the By Laws. The Election Committee sent an email to active program members in early March 2014 soliciting for members wishing to serve in a Board position. Requirements for the position include residence in the region they wish to represent at the time of the election, Active member status, the rank of National or higher, and endorsements from five additional Active judges in the region being received within the March 1 to March 31 nominations window.

The Mid-Atlantic region received nominations from two qualified candidates: Gordon Strong, the incumbent and a Grand Master VIII judge; and Josh Weikert, a Master judge.

The Midwest region received nominations from three qualified candidates: Sandy Cockerham, a Master judge; Steve Cook, a National judge; and Brian Eichhorn, a Master judge. Vice President and current Midwest Representative, Joe Formanek, opted not to run for re-election in 2014.

The West region received nominations from two qualified candidates: Travis Hammond, a National judge; and David Teckam, the incumbent and Grand Master IV judge.

The South region received nominations from only one qualified candidate: Phil Farrell, the incumbent and a Grand Master III judge. By default, Phil Farrell will be re-elected to the position in his uncontested region.

The BJCP has seen record growth in recent years, with a membership now over 4600 members and growing, however, only 225 program members out of an eligible 1900 voted in 2013 (a net turnout of around 12%). The term for Representatives elected in 2014 is three years. If growth in the membership continues at its average annual rate of 12% (between 2008 and 2013), these Representatives will oversee and address the challenges associated with a membership of 6300 program members or more. Besides growth in membership numbers, the BJCP is expanding into other countries, will release new guidelines in 2014, and is engaged in multiple other efforts that will be guided by these individuals either directly or indirectly.

In order to provide BJCP members and voters a better understanding into the platforms and policies of representative candidates, The BJCP Bulletin recently conducted interviews with the candidates. Because BJCP Officers are elected from the BJCP Representatives, the platforms and policies of the candidates will likely impact all program members, not only those who reside in the candidate's geographic region.

Each candidate was provided the same standard set of questions and exactly two weeks to provide responses, via email, to the question set. Each candidate was instructed that there was no limitation to their response length, however, all responses had to be received at the end of the two week period. Each candidate was also asked for a picture to accompany their responses.

Readers are encouraged to reach out and contact the candidates, and to make an informed decision during the May 1 to May 15 election window.

Editor's Note: The author of this story, Jeff Sanders, also serves on the election committee.

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