Virtual Election Information

2020 – 2021 Officer Candidate Bios

Virginia PTA has put together guidelines for PTAs to hold elections electronically, given the unusual circumstances we all find ourselves in currently.  Procedures will vary between PTAs, as VA PTA provided multiple options so that PTAs had some flexibility to choose what worked best for them. SEPTA’s detailed procedure and details are listed below.

You must be a current member of Fairfax County SEPTA in order to vote in the election.
If you are not sure if your membership is current, please e-mail our membership chair, Kate Volpe, at Membership@FairfaxCountySEPTA.org to check.
If you would like to become a member, please do so at fcsepta.ptboard.com.  The code is 76G6C6, if you are asked for one.
If you do not wish to participate in the electronic election, please e-mail Amanda Campbell at Communications@FairfaxCountySEPTA.org to remove your e-mail address from further election related e-mails.

(Please note this will only remove you from SEPTA’s 2020 elections communications).

PLEASE NOTE: This initial e-mail is going out to our entire mailing list, which consists of more than just paid members.  We will send the final slate of candidates out to this same list on Monday, April 20th, as well as the results when they are available.  The email with the link to the voting ballot on Wednesday, April 22nd, will only be sent to current SEPTA members (excluding any current members who opt-out as outlined above). 

VIRTUAL ELECTION TIMELINE

Our Communications Chair, Amanda Campbell, attended the VA PTA Webinar regarding virtual elections and reported back to the Fairfax County SEPTA Board.  Given that we were already in the middle of the election process – having formed a Nominating Committee at our January general membership meeting, and then that Nomination Committee announcing the slated candidates at our February General Membership meeting, our process may look a bit different than PTAs that had not yet begun the process.

Based on the guidelines linked above and discussions during the webinar, and in consultation with FCCPTA, this is the timeline that Fairfax County SEPTA came up with and voted to approve at our special board meeting on Monday, April 6, 2020: (Sections that have strikethrough text have already been completed). 

  • Monday, April 6th – SEPTA board met virtually via Zoom and voted to have the election virtually. 
    • Teller committee was appointed. 
    • Teller Committee members are: Kate Volpe and Cathy Greulich.
    • Details about the Teller committee can be found at this link 
  • Friday, April 10th – Email sent to membership indicating the Election Timelines and details, and announcing self-nomination details.
    • Anyone who is interested in self-nominating for any of the 4 officer positions (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) must email Michelle Cades at President@FairfaxCountySEPTA.org to announce their intent. 
    • All candidates for office must be current SEPTA members.  
  • Friday, April 17th – Deadline for sending in self-nominations.  Nominations must be received at the President@FairfaxCountySEPTA.org email address timestamped no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, April 17th.  
  • Monday, April 20th – Final slate of candidates – including any qualified self-nominations – will be re-sent to the membership.
  • Wednesday, April 22nd – Voting opens at 8:00 am. An email with a link to the Google Form Ballot will be sent to the membership at 8:00 am Wednesday morning.  Voting will remain open until Friday, April 24th at 5:00 pm.
  • Friday, April 24th – Voting closes at 5:00 pm. 

After voting has closed, the Teller Committee will verify that all votes cast were cast by current Fairfax  County SEPTA members.

Election results will be announced no later than Thursday, April 30th in accordance with our bylaws (which require an April election).

Results will be announced via email as well as on our social media pages.