FAQ
The election has now closed. This FAQ is left in place for reference.
Something is not working with e-vote. What do I do next?
I know the voting period is from 1 September to 12 noon on 1 October 2008 but how do I vote?
How many votes am I allowed?
What does the unassigned roll mean?
What happens if my voting paper arrives and has me on the wrong roll?
Once elected and confirmed by the Returning Officer when do successful candidates take up their positions?
I am a candidate running for the Council's election but will be out of town on 1 October 2008. How will I be notified if I am successful?
If I am voted on to the governance Council when will I be expected to attend my first meeting?
If I am unsuccessful in being voted on to the governance Council will I be notified by the Returning Officer?
If I, as a candidate, want to send out information to voters (more than would be in the candidate profiles) can I do this?
Why is the Council providing an email facility for voting in 2008?
The Council is going to provide an email facility to receive information related to the election and voting for the first time in 2008. How do I access this facility?
What happens if I did not receive an email?
How do I know which roll I should be on?
How do I ensure I am on the right roll?
How many votes do I have and how many candidates can I vote for?
When do nominations open and close?
When is the voting period for the Council election in 2008?
What happens if I am going overseas? Can I still vote on the election?
If I am registered and hold a practising certificate that shows I am in the category of Provisional or Subject to Confirmation can I still take part in the Council election?
How does the Council ensure the election is fair and transparent?
What sort of teachers/principals should stand as candidates?
What commitment is required?
Why should I vote?
How do I nominate a candidate?
How do I know if I am eligible to be a candidate?
What happens if I am nominated as a candidate and agree to accept the nomination?
What happens if I am nominated as a candidate but I do not want to accept the nomination?
I'm interested in reading the New Zealand Teachers Council Election Rules 2002. Where can I view these?
Who are the Council members presently elected to the Council?
What is my commitment each month as a member of Council?
I see there are 11 members of Council. How are the other Council members appointed?
How long is the tenure of elected members?
How do I know if I am on the roll?
How can I ensure I am eligible to vote?
Why do you have an independent Returning Officer?
What happens if I don't get sent any information about the election?
My colleagues don't know anything about the upcoming election?
What commitment is required?
If I am subject to a complaint, investigation or hearing by the Council am I allowed to vote?
If I have an inquiry about election processes, obtaining a Nomination Pack or issues related to voting who do I contact?
Something is not working with e-vote. What do I do next?There are two known issues with e-voting (which is provided by our independent Returning Officer's secure site)
- Your organisation's firewall may be preventing your ability to link to the site itself. A workaround is to forward the e-vote mail message to a home account and make the connection from there.
- You may not have received you PIN and password. Email messages were sent on 1 September, but, some may be held by firewalls or spam filters. If you received printed voting papers they also have the PIN and password. If you still have no PIN and Password contact the Returning Officer on elections@electionz.com
I know the voting period is from 1 September to 12 noon on 1 October 2008 but how do I vote?For those teachers who have registered to e-vote (that is to vote on-line) you will be sent an email with a link to the voting site and your login details (PIN and password). Once you login to the voting site, you will be able to view the candidate profiles and vote for your sector representative.
For those teachers who have not registered to on-line vote you will be sent a candidate booklet and voting paper in the mail. There will be a prepaid self addressed envelope in which to return your vote to the Returning Officer.
How many votes am I allowed?You are allowed one vote. You will be on the electoral roll in one of these sectors: early childhood; primary; secondary; or on the Principals roll.
What does the unassigned roll mean?This means the Council has no record of your communicating which sector you wish to vote in. Check your details on the electoral roll at www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz
Should you be on the incorrect roll or on the unassigned roll you need to change your sector. To do this you should process an update on http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/, contact inquiries@teacherscouncil.govt.nz or election@teacherscouncil.govt.nz or the Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp on the Election Hotline 0508 666 336, or wlampp@electionz.com and let him know before 12 August 2008 which roll you should be on.
What happens if my voting paper arrives and has me on the wrong roll?You must contact the Election Hotline on 0508 666 336 to arrange for a replacement voting paper. It is easier however for you to check before 1 September and correct your roll designation.
Once elected and confirmed by the Returning Officer when do successful candidates take up their positions?Once the election results are concluded the Returning Officer will contact the successful candidates and they will be actively part of the governance council from midnight 1 October 2008.
I am a candidate running for the Council's election but will be out of town on 1 October 2008. How will I be notified if I am successful?You must ensure the Returning Officer has a contact phone number, mobile number, or email address before 1 October 2008. You can contact the Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp on the Election Hotline 0508 666 336 or wlampp@electionz.com.
If I am voted on to the governance Council when will I be expected to attend my first meeting?
The first Council meeting you will attend will be on 29 and 30 October 2008.
If I am unsuccessful in being voted on to the governance Council will I be notified by the Returning Officer?
Yes, you will be personally contacted by the Returning Officer on 1 October. Please ensure you have an up-to-date phone number and/or email address with the Returning Officer.
If I, as a candidate, want to send out information to voters (more than would be in the candidate profiles) can I do this?Yes you can as long as the information aligns with the Code of Conduct.
There are two ways you can do this - print and post or using email to teachers who have a valid email address registered with the Council.
The Returning Officer will give you the cost of print and post or email to those on your roll. All communications for this purpose must be arranged via the Returning Officer.
Sending out such material is at the candidates cost and must be posted or emailed out this way because mailing lists are confidential and held securely.
The Returning Officer will not send such material with voting papers as this could be seen as a breach of his impartiality.
An alternative method to communicate to teachers is for a candidate to set up their own Internet Web site and put a reference to its Web address in their profile statement that is submitted with the nomination paper.
You can contact the Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp on the Election Hotline 0508 666 336 or wlampp@electionz.com.
Why is the Council providing an email facility for voting in 2008?
The Council is forward looking and wants to provide the best possible access and service to teachers to enable ease of participation in this important professional event. The Council wants to make the voting process as straight forward as possible and offer teachers the option of using readily available Internet technology to register their vote.
The Council is going to provide an email facility to receive information related to the election and voting for the first time in 2008. How do I access this facility?All those teachers who have a unique, current email address with the Council were sent an email asking them to choose the email option for receipt of information. You simply need to follow the easy instructions and you will be set up to receive election information by email.
What happens if I did not receive an email?If this is the case, your email address is probably not updated with the Council or you are sharing one with another teacher. You can change your email address by going to the Council's home page and updating your details. You can also contact the Council by phone, email, fax and letter giving us the following information:
1. Registration number
2. Any change of name
3. Postal address
4. Practising Certificate expiry date
5. Sector Roll
6. Email address
How do I know which roll I should be on?We expect teachers usually choose the sector they have been working in most recently. Principals will choose the Principals roll. If you have not been teaching for a while but are still a registered teacher, holding a current practising certificate you would opt for the sector you have worked in longest or the sector you were trained in. There are three sectors, Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary. There is also the cohort of principals represented by an elected member on the Council.
How do I ensure I am on the right roll?This is related to the sector you are in. Refer back to the previous answer for further clarification.
How many votes do I have and how many candidates can I vote for?You will have one vote. The e-voting Internet site or your personalised voting paper and the paper will identify the roll you are on and the sector nominee that you can vote for.
When do nominations open and close?The nomination period opens on 9 July 2008 and closes on 1 August 2008.
When is the voting period for the Council election in 2008?The voting period is from 1 September 2008 to 1 October 2008.
What happens if I am going overseas? Can I still vote on the election?Yes, you can participate in the election. You will at the time of the election have to be registered and hold a current practising certificate. The safest way to ensure you get the information while away is to make sure the Council has an up-to-date email address so we can contact you and you can easily respond to the voting material on-line. If you do not choose to use the email process for receiving information your voting papers will be sent to you at the address that is held by the Council. You may need to ensure you have someone who can post the papers to you at an address overseas. You will need to post these in time to be received by the Returning Officer by the closing date of the election – noon 1 October 2008.
If I am registered and hold a practising certificate that shows I am in the category of Provisional or Subject to Confirmation can I still take part in the Council election?Yes you can. Again ensure your practising certificate is up-to-date and that your details are correct with the Council. You will be sent material either by email, if this is what you opt for - OR - you will be sent the election material by mail.
How does the Council ensure the election is fair and transparent?Under the 2002 Election Rules, the Council must appoint an independent Returning Officer. The Returning Officer takes over the process from the Council re: Nomination receipt and voting paper/email votes. He independently with a supporting organisation checks and counts the valid votes, ensures there is no double voting, ensures people are eligible to stand as candidates. This is an audited process and a JP monitors all vote counting.
What sort of teachers/principals should stand as candidates?The Council does not exclude anyone who would like to put themselves forward as a candidate. They must have a seconder and of course must be registered and hold a current practising certificate. The elected members represent their sectors and inform the Council of ideas and views from those sectors but also work for the profession as a whole. Sitting on the governance Council requires members to take part in a wide range of discussions and decision making.
What commitment is required?The Council requires elected members who must stay for the three year term. Should a member resign or leave, the Council must hold a by election which can be expensive and time consuming. The Council has a lot of business to process annually and needs all its members present.
If I am subject to a complaint, investigation or hearing by the Council am I allowed to vote?
Should the result of proceedings be known before 1 October 2008 and they require the Council to de register a teacher then the vote cast would be made invalid by the Returning Officer.
Why should I vote?The Council would like to see teachers take the opportunity to have their say on who they would like to see represent them on their professional body. The Council completes work each year which impacts directly on teachers and invites them to participate in the nomination and election of representatives who they believe will be represent their sectors. You can read more about the Council's functions on www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/about/functions.stm
We want you to participate in this process as professionals in the sectors, protecting the rights and obligations of the profession.
You need to vote because:
1. The Council represents all teachers from all teaching sectors.
2. You can have a say as to who represents your sector.
3. You can be part of promoting the profession that makes a difference to all New Zealanders.
This is your chance to 'have a say' on the Council. By voting for your preferred representative they will represent your views to the governance body on the direction and shape of this evolving organisation.
You can clearly state through your vote preference or avoidance of the candidates proposed - democratic right in practice.
This is your chance to contribute to an important process for this young, evolving and dynamic organisation.
How do I nominate a candidate?Later this year information notifying you that there will be an election and detailed instructions if you wish to nominate a candidate will be sent to all teachers by the Returning Officer.
How do I know if I am eligible to be a candidate?You must hold registration and a current practising certificate to be eligible to be a candidate in the election.
What happens if I am nominated as a candidate and agree to accept the nomination?Once reviewed by the Returning Officer, as eligible to be a candidate, you will be sent a pack which contains information that you need to provide for affirming your candidacy and a profile for publication (for the candidate profile booklet which will sent to all voters with the voting papers).
What happens if I am nominated as a candidate but I do not want to accept the nomination?You do not have to stand for the Council election. You would need to notify the Returning Officer to ensure you were not considered as a candidate.
I'm interested in reading the New Zealand Teachers Council Election Rules 2002. Where can I view these?Refer to the Council's website www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/pdf/electionrules.pdf
Who are the Council members presently elected to the Council?Refer to the Council's website http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/about/structure/index.stm
What is my commitment each month as a member of Council?The Council meets for two days a month. There is no Council meeting in January. Council members also sit on either the Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Tribunal and may also be members of one the Council's Advisory Committees (Audit and Risk Management Committee/Professional Leadership Committee).
I see there are 11 members of Council. How are the other Council members appointed?Yes, there are 11 members on the Council. Four are elected and 7 are appointed by the Minister.
How long is the tenure of elected members?The candidates who are elected to Council have tenure for three years and then another election is held. Election of sector representatives occurs every three years.
How do I know if I am on the roll?The roll is based on those teachers who are registered and hold a current practising certificate. The roll is based on the on-line register that you can view on the Council's website at http://register.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/applications/register/default.aspx
How can I ensure I am eligible to vote?There are two steps you can take:
1. Ensure your details are up-to-date with the Council. You can use the on-line Change of Details Form we have provided on our website at www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/mailformaddress.stm 2. Please ensure when you receive your notification to renew your practising certificate that you return the correctly completed form and payment to the Council in time for processing. Remember processing can take between 4 to 6 weeks and if you have not filled the forms in correctly or have not included the correct payment, processing will be delayed, as the application forms are sent back to you for updating. Why do you have an independent Returning Officer?The Council is required under the Election Rules 2002 to appoint an independent Returning Officer to ensure impartiality. The Council is therefore able to ensure a professional, transparent election is held.
What happens if I don't get sent any information about the election?You will need to contact the Returning Officer (this contact will be notified in a later Election Bulletin). This would be a prompt that you have not updated your details with the Council. You may appear on the roll because you have a current practising certificate but have not updated your details since the last time you renewed. Perhaps you have moved residential address and not notified the Council of your new address? You can use the on-line Change of Details Form we have provided on our website at www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/mailformaddress.stm
My colleagues don't know anything about the upcoming election?If you have read this Bulletin you are informed and can assist the Council in referring your colleagues to our website. We thank you for assisting us and look forward to contacting your colleagues once they have updated their contact details with the Council.
What commitment is required?The Council requires elected members who must stay for the three year term. Should a member resign or leave, the Council must hold an by election which can be expensive and time consuming. The Council has a lot of business to process annually and needs all its members present.
If I am subject to a complaint, investigation or hearing by the Council am I allowed to vote?Should the result of proceedings be known before 1 October 2008 and they require the Council to de register a teacher then the vote cast would be made invalid by the Returning Officer.
If I have an inquiry about election processes, obtaining a Nomination Pack or issues related to voting who do I contact?Warwick Lampp
Returning Officer
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Christchurch
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