Petition to allow 4 of the Nominees to run for Member-At-Large positions for BANC Election 2024, who are denied on a very subjective ground.

Date: 27th November 2024

Dear Members,

As you are aware I, Pravakar Samanta, nominated my team for BANC Election to elect the office bearers for all positions for 2025-26.

However, the current Election Committee has denied 4 of my nominees which

includes executive and Member-At-Large position on the ground of a very subjective interpretation of a by law.

Many of you joined the zoom call last night and heard the arguments from the members as well as from the Election Committee, and voiced your opinion that until the Constitution by law is updated, the benefit of doubt must support the members considering BANC is a community organization and giving a fair opportunity to members is the priority.

All of the 4 nominees are active participants of BANC and have consistently demonstrated the values and goals of our community. We believe that all of the 4 nominees will be a valuable asset in the role and will serve the interests of our community with dedication and enthusiasm.

Details of the by law, its interpretation and the candidates case are given in the 2nd page.

We request you to review the details and sign this petition in support of the 4 nominees so that we can respectfully request the Election Committee to grant them eligibility to run for the BANC election 2024.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and your help will ensure BANC stays fair, united and member driven.

Sincerely,

Pravakar Samanta, President Nominee

BANC Election 2024

Present By-laws indicates :

"To be nominated for office of the Executive Committee including the members-at-large, candidates must demonstrate active participation in the association for at least two (2) years "'

Interpretation of above clause:

• It is clear that 2 years membership = 2 year participation (No rotational membership).
• By law never mentions 2 calendar years or 730 days.
• 2 years is interpreted as membership year since yearly membership is not prorated and needs to be paid in full irrespective of when the membership is taken.
• 2 membership year was always considered in good faith to consider eligible nomination in the past including last two online elections (2020 & 2022)
• Taking membership is the best testimony of active participation in an organization.
• Any form of engagement is considered as active participation such as helping seniors, participating in sports, participating in cultural program, preparing stage and cleaning up stage for cultural programs, even listening cultural program, volunteering in any place that might be in puja, Sindur Khela, VideoGraphy, Photography, Prasad distribution, Tea distribution, Chair arrangement, backstage support, helping kids, bringing artist and taking care of the artists.

Remarks

Bylaws are not crystal clear, it must be discussed and updated as an addendum in our constitution by the next Constitutional Committee. Until the constitution is updated, the benefits of doubt must go to the members of the community.

Details of the 4 Nominees

Nominee 1:

He has been instrumental in helping BANC organize events by arranging table & chair set up in the events, taking the event photographs, that in turn helps BANC outreach. In 2023 Durga Puja he volunteered to bring sweets from the vendors. His wife and his son are both integral part of most of the BANC yearly cultural events and helped in stage preparation, clean ups etc. He is an active member for the last 2 membership years.

Nominee 2:

He is a critical part of the volunteer group, mostly into logistics. In 2023 Durga puja, he helped immensely in the storage, loading and unloading of stuff into the Truck etc. He is also a key performer in most of the BANC cultural programs. His wife has been performing solo and group dance in various BANC cultural programs. He has also helped in green room clean ups and artist preparations. He is an active member for the last 2 membership years.

Nominee 3:

She and her husband are key members of the dancing group, who participated in most of the yearly BANC program and also does dance choreography. She is a volunteer of prasad distribution and helped in the puja areas along with other senior volunteers. She is an active member for the last 2 membership years.

Nominee 4:

He has volunteered in the Logistics team, food management, storage activity, backdrop set up etc. His wife is an active volunteer and promotes Durga puja and other events by taking photographs, videos and sharing appropriately. Like others he is also an active member for the last 2 membership years.