The following resolution passed at the UAWD Mid-Year General Membership Meeting held on January 30, 2022.
WHEREAS, UAWD has not yet adopted an official endorsement process and may endorse candidates for the International Executive Board in 2022, and
WHEREAS, UAWD is a member-run caucus that is committed to democratic decision-making and grassroots political power.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that UAWD adopt the following endorsement process to govern its endorsements in IEB elections:
A. Preparing for an Endorsement
1. The Steering Committee has the authority to convene an Endorsement Preparation Committee. The Endorsement Preparation Committee makes recommendations to the Steering Committee on which potential candidates should go through a formal endorsement process and conducts initial fact-finding interviews. This committee shall not make any promises on behalf of UAWD, although individual UAWD members may privately urge UAW members to run for office.
2. Candidates proceed to a formal endorsement process in one of the two ways:
a. Majority vote of the Steering Committee.
b. Two or more members of UAWD request to the Steering Committee that a candidate be considered for endorsement for a particular IEB position by the membership. The Steering Committee can set a reasonable deadline for nominations for a particular election, as long as the deadline is widely advertised to UAWD members. This deadline should not be earlier than February 21, 2022, unless the Monitor’s rules require otherwise.
3. If either of these two conditions are met, the Steering Committee must promptly contact the candidate to see if they would like to be considered for UAWD’s endorsement and would accept if approved by the membership, unless the Steering Committee unanimously votes to reject the nomination.
4. For any candidate who responds affirmatively to being considered, the Steering Committee must initiate the formal endorsement process, described below.
B. Formal Endorsement Process
1. Candidates will be asked to fill out a detailed written questionnaire. Answers will be shared with all UAWD members. Candidates will be asked to complete the written questionnaire by a deadline, with at least one week for review by UAWD members prior to the candidate being considered in step 4, below.
2. The Steering Committee is permitted to schedule meetings with candidates as necessary, and will either make those open to UAWD members or share recordings or minutes from those meetings.
3. The Steering Committee may make recommendation(s) to the members throughout the remainder of this process.
4. Candidates will be asked to meet with membership on scheduled dates. All UAWD members will be informed and invited. This could be at either a monthly UAWD membership meeting, or at special meeting times.
5. If there are multiple candidates being considered for the same position, the Steering Committee may choose to additionally schedule a debate among candidates, although this will not be a prerequisite for endorsement, if any candidate does not want to participate. This could be the same meeting as the meeting in step 4 or a separate one.
6. Membership debate, with candidates absent. All UAWD members will be informed and invited. Prior to this debate, all UAWD members, including members of the Steering Committee, are permitted to make and circulate recommendations about which candidates to endorse.
7. Membership vote. All UAWD members will be informed and invited. This could be combined with the debate in step 6. A membership vote, with a majority of those present in support, is required for any UAWD endorsement.