<p>A brief comment on the issue of elections. No, the “new bum” does not get a new allotment of 5 at the SA…that allotment of 5 per SA is per seat of House of Reps or Senate. No matter which bum takes up the space.</p>
<p>The consternation in dealing with the changes elections bring lies mostly in a newbie not having a process for selections, perhaps a staff with no experience with SA’s, the need to appoint a new committee in their district to handle such things, etc. As alluded to in earlier posts, there are a variety of ways each MOC may name their slate of nominations. Interview or not. Competitive slate or principal nominee. Each one with a different deadline. And different methods of having the information/application submitted. Some want your application to include the letters of rec/evaluations in sealed envelopes, some want those items mailed directly to MOC.</p>
<p>Word to the wise. Read voraciously on this and the service academy forums. Read the Smallwood book. Read your MOC’s directions, then read them again with highlighter in hand. Follow them to a tee. We set up a long table in an unused room to organize the packets going to each MOC. </p>
<p>And don’t be afraid to ask the MOC’s office questions. “What type of slate do you use? Competitive or principal nominee?” Now is probably better for asking questions and understanding the process than late fall when they are inundated with applications, etc.</p>