Candidate CONDUCT

As candidates for the 72nd Regional Board of Central Region West, you are asserting yourself as primary leaders and role models of our region.  With this in mind, we have a few critical expectations for all candidates.  Please read thoroughly. 

AZA/BBG Values

Throughout the process, all candidates are expected to embody AZA/BBG values, namely those pertaining to fraternity and sisterhood.  This means that at all points throughout, you will honor the BBYO Member Code of Conduct, as you would always. You are expected to conduct yourself with a respect toward every other member of the organization including other candidates and staff.  There is a zero-tolerance policy for any form of slander or insult to another candidate at any step of the process, potentially resulting in removal from the election process and loss of a vote.  Slander in your speech on election day will lead to immediate truncation and removal from the race.

Respect for Other Candidates

Even removed from the public eye, it is expected that you conduct yourself with the utmost respect for the other candidates. These candidates are, like you, aspiring regional leaders. All of you are making a sizable sacrifice to this election. Thus, be considerate, and refrain from conducting yourself with any hostility toward your "competition".

Role Modeling

Such is also good practice for service in the position, all candidates should conduct themselves as role models and engaged participants throughout their candidacy, both before and after caucuses are publicly known. We are aware that there is a high number of regional events during the candidacy process. With this in mind, we expect a few guidelines: (1) If available, show up! It is good practice for a regional board term.  (2)  Participate! Be engaged and refrain from skipping programs. (3) Be respectful!  There is no room for disruptive behavior on Regional Board. We will be very wary to ensure that the conduct of our participants matches the ideal conduct of a Regional Board officer.

What is a TCM?

"TCM" is a periodically referenced acronym that stands for "Total Candidate Move."  The term is generally thrown around to refer to public action taken by a candidate for the purpose of their own publicity, motivated by their candidacy.  We are here to dispel this myth.

In general, the best way to determine if an action of yours is a "TCM" is to ask yourself the following questions:  Is this action authentic to me? Would I still be doing this if it weren't for my candidacy? If the answer to either of these questions is "no," be very careful with how you proceed. It is okay to tweak your actions slightly during your candidacy, but if your actions are not genuine you may want to rethink your choice to run. Whatever the case, ensure that you refrain from politicking!

Politicking

Our biggest priority is the preservation of fraternity and sisterhood throughout Central Region West.  During elections, one way this is ensured is through a closed caucus: Caucused candidates declare their intention to run to the President in secret, go through the pre- elections process in secret (staff/advisors should always be aware of the caucus list), and only reveal their caucus at the Regional Business Meeting. The intent of this regulation is to refrain from escalating the election to any level of drama or gossip.  We want elections to be as fair as possible, and with open elections after the business meeting, we are placing a lot of trust in candidates to conduct themselves responsibly.

To every Aleph and B’nai B'rith Girl in this region: there will be no talking about elections whatsoever. The only people you can talk to are specified below. People will want to get to know you during the month after you declare, and that is perfectly acceptable. However, talking about elections, or your plans or vision for the position you are running for is politicking.  

Consequences for Politicking

For the preservation of regional fraternity and sisterhood, the "No Politicking" rule shall be strictly enforced by the following guidelines:

• Any act of politicking by a candidate for the 72nd Regional Board can result in loss of a vote at elections and/or their caucus being revoked, preventing them from running.

• In general, in the face of a minor infraction, candidates will be given one official warning issued by either Negev, Noga, or a member of Regional Staff.

• If an official warning has been issued to a candidate and the behavior of politicking persists, the candidate's caucus will be immediately revoked and they will be unable to run for Regional Board.

• If an instance of politicking is discovered in a certain chapter, that chapter will lose voting power in the election.

• Politicking is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Consequences for politicking may vary in severity based on each situation, and they are at the discretion of Negev, Noga, and Regional Staff. 

Please don’t put us in the tough decision of revoking a caucus or removing a vote. We want to respect every candidate throughout the process.  If you are ever uncertain whether something is allowed, please reach out to Negev and Noga to ask!  However, the general rule of thumb is: If you are wondering whether or not something is politicking, it most likely is.  Refrain until you have confirmed.

Who to talk to?

With this in mind, it is important that you continue to discuss your candidacy only with specific individuals (certain contact information can be found here):

• Negev Geri and Noga Rafalin | 71st Regional Presidents

• Matt Tick | Regional Director, CRW

• Anna Goldman | Associate Regional Director, CRW

• 71st Regional Board Officer currently serving in the aspired role, only after the Regional Business Meeting, with the exceptions of officers who are current juniors in high schools. If you are unsure if the officer is a junior or senior in high school, or need clarification with whom you can discuss your candidacy at any point, please contact Negev or Noga.

• Any BBYO professional staff or advisors

• Family

• BBYO Alumni