N'siah Guide to Chapter Elections - BBYO

What’s Inside: 

Message from Buzz Light Year (AKA ME) 2 

Pre-election Preparation 3-4 

Election Process ! 5 

Job Descriptions! 6-7 

Election Script 8-11 

Being the best Madricha! 12 

Monday, April 18, 2011 

To Infinity and BEYOND! 

That’s right gals, you have conquered the 

world and taken over your city...but 

what’s next? 

The feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of trust. The feeling of 

improvement. The feeling of being a role model and leader. Who would have 

thought all of these feelings could evolve over a short term of being chapter 

N’siah? I am so proud of each and every one you for your hard work, 

dedication, and pride given to your thriving chapters. Though I can’t have 

complete bragging rights over you, I am here to help make your lasting weeks 

as N’siah run as smoothly as possible. This is your chance to inspire others, 

reach out to that lone MIT, and transition yourself from being a chapter N’siah 

to chapter Madricha. The opportunities are endless. Cherish every moment 

and continue to be your amazing self. Your chapter STILL needs you. 

Remember to be a source of guide and strength to the new N’siah, and as 

always remember I will be here if you need anything. Please use this release 

while preparing for elections and paving the way for your chapter. I hope this 

will help make the election process as rewarding and exciting as engulfing a 

delicious piece of birthday cake (hint- I LOVE CAKE)! 

Jessica Kocen 

VACNsiah21@gmail.com 

804-787-3707 

Submitted with every lasting love for, 

Buzz Light Year, transitioning, ending STRONG, you, me and VAC BBG, 

I proudly remain, 

Jessica Erin Kocen 

21st VAC N’siah 

2

Files- Clean and ADD 


Over the past term you have collected a bunch 

of stuff relating to the chapter and council. Take 

the time to organize and clean out all files. 

Print off old and new releases, make a “How To” 

document, or even create a photo album of the 

past term. Think about putting everything on a 

flash drive. It will be much appreciated by your 

successor. 

Going the extra step 

In order to truly make an impact on your chapter go the 

extra step by doing some of these things: 

1. Create a survey to get feedback on your term 

(surveymonkey.com) 

2. Sit down and talk with your advisors about strengths, 

weaknesses, and what went well or bad with your term. 

It will help you determine what to tell your successor. 

3. Send a letter to parents reminiscing on the past term. 

Be sure to include programs, fundraisers, and 

accomplishments of the chapter! 

Pre-election Shindigs 

Appreciate your board 

Think of how you can make each girl that 

served on your board feel extra special. Write a 

personal letter to express how great they are! 

Create a CD with everyone’s favorite song and give 

to them at your states! Have one last board dinner 

or sleepover! Make a board t-shirt! Try to do 

something to show your appreciation. :) 

PRINT this 

RELEASE 

3

Stay ORGANIZED & FOLLOW ME.... 

Read and print entire release :) 

Email your advisors and me the DAY and TIME of you elections. 

Create an elections packet (see page 5 on what to include) and send to everyone in your 

chapter...even parents. They love to see how things are run. 

Create an event on Facebook to start promoting. Be sure to include the when and what of elections 

in every email 3-4 weeks prior to election day. 

Open up declarations 3-4 weeks prior to election day. 

Set interview times for candidates with chapter advisors, city directors, parents, and yourself. (Every 

chapter does this different- check with Ellie or Jordan) 

Close declarations ONE week prior to elections and create a table to reference with all candidates 

that have declared. 

Time to create ballot sheets! Include two spots for every board position and extra spots in case you 

need them when voting. (See page 6) 

Is your State’s Ceremony the same day? Communicate with your S’ganit to plan this. 

Print out Election Day Credo (See page 11) and Ballot Sheets 

Go over “What to bring to Election Day” (See page 19) 

Election Day: Follow pages 11-16 

Installations (See page 18) 

Give yourself the bigggggggest pat on the back: YOU ROCKED YOUR TERM & ELECTIONS 

Call me if you need ANYTHING! 


You are 

doing 

great! 

4

It’s time to make my election packet... 


A personal letter from you to all potential candidates 

A TIMELINE of the Election Process (deadlines for declaration, interviews etc. ) 

Officer Responsibilities (including contact info for the current officers and specify the responsibilities of the position to 

specific way in which your chapter operates) (SEE page 8-10) 

Procedure for Election Day (proper attire, BBG pin etc.) 

Regulation for Speech and Caucus Sheets (5 minutes – N’siah, 4 minutes – S’ganit, 3 minutes – everyone 

else) 

Contract (signed by the candidate and parents if necessary) 

Politicking Rules & Guidelines (emphasize NO Politicking!!!) 

How To: Declare, Drop-Down, Run off the Floor 

Interview Procedure (Current N’siah, Advisors, City Director, Parents) 

A reminder for candidates to contact current board members with any questions 

Advice for ALL chapter members!!! 

What do I include? 

Remember to send out to 

all members: 

“21st VAC Board- Why 

chapter board is important!” 

5


What type of candidate are you? 

Remember to make a table with the names of who has declared 

CAUCUSED: Someone who 

has declared her candidacy to 

you, our advisors, and your 

city director. They recite a full 

speech and hand out 

platforms (if used by chapter) 

NOMINATION: This is someone who 

is “running off the floor.” Someone has 

nominated her for the position. They 

recite qualifications only for one minute 

and do not use platforms. 

DROP-DOWN: Someone who lost a prior election. 

They “drop down” to a lower position, by 

nomination or personal choice (candidates are able 

to declare their drop down positions during their 

interview with you). They are given one minute to 

say anything they would like and are not permitted 

to use platforms. 

7

Board Descriptions * You can copy and paste this into your very own 

•Represents the chapter to Virginia Council/Eastern Region and the 

general community 

•Enforces and in some cases sets, chapter policies and rules 

•Runs business meetings 

•Promotes (and hopefully attends!) BBYO summer programs 

•Serves as chapter head delegate at all meetings of the Council/ 

Regional Executive Body 

•Creates committees and chairwomen as needed to share leadership 

responsibilities 

•Oversees all committees and chapter program coordinators as well 

as the Exec Board 

•Holds final responsibility for the progress of the chapter and 

chapter board and thus holds the youth leadership accountable by 

setting goals and deadlines and keeping the chapter informed about 

board doings 

•Serves as a liaison to parents, BBYO staff, and the general 

community, the Council Board 

•Keeps in CLOSE contact with the Council N’siah (aka me!) about 

her chapter’s doings 

•Embodies the spirit of the B’nai Brith Girls through the Menorah 

Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse her chapter and VAC BBG with 

a passion and love for the ideals of our order 


N’siah 

election release...How nice! You may need to change 

a little depending on what applies to your chapter* 

S’ganit 

•Oversees all programming- ensures all 6 folds are being covered 

•Presides over fold chairwomen and committees 

•Runs Executive board meetings 

•Makes sure members are involved in programming and that 

programming reflects members’ interests 

•Assumes all N’siah responsibilities in her absence 

•Communicates often and thoroughly with Regional S’ganit 

•Fills out and turns in to Council S’ganit program write-ups after 

EACH program 

•Uploads every program PROMPTLY after it is held to the 

International Program Bank 


Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse her chapter and VAC BBG 

with a passion and love for the ideals of our order 

8

Aym Ha-Chaverot 

•Recruits CONSTANTLY both MITs and older, inactive members 

•Plans Chapter Intake 

•Educates new members about BBG and the International 

Order and helps form a MIT board (optional) 

•Gathers membership dues from new and old members 

•Pushes 4 year registration 

•Push for year round recruitment 

•Makes sure every member is happy in the chapter and feels 

included at every program 

•Re-educates older members 

•Plans Senior Appreciation, Advisor Appreciations, other 

grade Appreciations, and Senior Life 

•Encourages (and attends herself!) participation in Summer 

Programs 

•Plans MIT Inductions 

•Communicates consistently with the Council Aym Ha-Chaverot 

(MIT Mom) 

•Embodies the spirit of the B’nai Brith Girls through the 

Menorah Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse her 

chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for the ideals of 

our order 


Gizborit 

•Updates all member communication information (such as phone numbers 

or e-mail addresses) regularly 

•Makes entertaining and informative WEEKLY e-mails sent to EVERY 

member of the chapter 

•Creates fun and exciting ways to deliver information out to the chapter 

(phone tree, flyers, txts, facebook messages) 

•Writes thank you notes to anyone who contributes his/her home, money, 

time etc. to the chapter 

•Communicates regularly with the Council Mazkirah 

•Embodies the spirit of the B’nai Brith Girls through the Menorah Pledge 

Principles and seeks to infuse her 

Mazkirah 

chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for the ideals of our order 

•Keeps track of all incoming and outgoing Chapter funds 

•Pay chapter expenses with checks 

•Balances chapter checkbook 

•Regularly reviews chapter accounts with N’siah and Advisors 

•Creates a budget for EVERY chapter event and coordinates with planners 

to ensure it is followed 

•Plans chapter fundraisers 

•Educates about ISF & Stand UP campaign 

•Corresponds OFTEN with the Council Gizborit 

•Submits fund reports to Executive Board, Chapter, Advisors, and Council 

Gizborit 

•Embodies the spirit of the B’nai Brith Girls through the Menorah Pledge 

Principles and seeks to infuse her 

chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for the ideals of our order 

9

•Plans chapter Judaic and 

social action programs 

•Coordinates chapter community service projects 

including a long term project 

•Promotes Israel Awareness: Speak Up 

•Plans Shabbat Services- Friday night, Saturday 

morning, and Havdallah 

•Educates chapter on Jewish customs and holidays 

•Advocates social action and sees to it that the chapter 

knows what is going on in the world, as well as educating 

the chapter on the new Stand Up Initiative 

•Communicates often with the Council Sh’licha 

•Embodies the spirit of the B’nai Brith Girls through the 

Menorah Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse 

her chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for 

the ideals of our order 

That’s 

YOU! 


Sh’licha 

Madricha 

•Collects officer reports and articles and create chapter newspaper to 

be given out at major events such as 

intake, formals, regional programs, and chapter program 

•Publicizes chapter to the public 

•Provides chapter reports for the council newsletter 

•Creates scrapbooks and/ or slideshows as a way to savor the 

memories and pass them on 

•Communicates regularly with the Council Safranit 


Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse her 

chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for the ideals of our 

order 

Orechet/Safranit 

•Provides any resources to the new board 

•Guide the newly elected N’siah and chapter board with wisdom 

throughout the term 


Pledge Principles and seeks to infuse her 

chapter and VAC BBG with a passion and love for the ideals of our 

order 

10

Election Day 


Oy Vey, the day is HERE! 

1. Open an elections meeting as if it were a regular meeting. (Use opening rituals, do the 

Menorah Pledge, sing the Hatikvah, perform roll call) 

2. Explain the election procedure to the chapter body. 

3. Remind them how important this decision is and give them a basic outline of the proceedings. 

4. Emphasize the importance of voting on the correct ballot, not talking during voting, and 

maintaining integrity throughout the election procedure. 

5. Take up phones to maintain respect 

6. Read together the Election Credo--> 

"I AM A B’NAI B’RITH GIRL... 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I will make a decision today according to the ideals I 

believe in and what I believe will best represent those of (CHAPTER) BBG. 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I will vote for the girl who inspires, motivates, and 

encourages others 

to be leaders. 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I will vote for someone who loves what she will be 

doing and will work hard on behalf of the region to achieve success. 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I will vote for the girl who offers to help before it is 

asked. 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I vote for the girl who attends programs and 

supports her chapter, council, and region. 

I am a B'nai B'rith Girl, and I will vote for the candidate based on her experience, 

qualifications, goals, & dreams: not on our friendship. 

FOR I AM A B’NAI B’RITH GIRL." 

11

Election Script 

After explaining the election procedure do the following: 

Step 1: 

Dispense with all business (new & old) ... • To do this, YOU SAY: 

"Is there a motion to dispense with all business and move directly into the elections of the 2011 Fall Term Board?" 

I recognize my sister ______________, is there a second? 

I recognize my sister ______________, is there a call? 

I recognize my sister ______________, is there any dissent? (rap gavel) Dissent? (rap gavel) Dissent? (rap gavel). 

Seeing none and hearing none we will now move into the election of chapter N’siah . 

REPEAT for ALL POSITIONS 

Step 2: 

“All those caucusing for the position of (insert position here) 

“All those caucusing for the position of (insert position here) please rise (Rap Gavel), (Everyone rises) 

“All those caucusing for the position of (insert position here) please rise (Rap Gavel), (Everyone remains standing) 

“All those caucusing for the position of (insert position here) please rise (Rap Gavel), and remain standing." (Only girls 

who have declared remain standing) 

"All those caucusing for the position of (insert position here) HAVE RISEN. I recognize in alphabetical 

order,____________.” 

Ask each girl, "If elected, will you serve?" (it is tradition to ask this to each girl 3 times, unless she declines 

immediately.) The candidate may then be seated. 


12

Step 3: Nominations 

YOU: Are there any nominations? (rap gavel) nominations? (rap gavel) nominations? (rap gavel) 

As girls are nominated they stand and you say: Nominee’s name has been nominated 

If you’re nominated for a position, give your gavel to the S’ganit. 

Nominations are closed. 

I recognize in no particular order, my sister (nominee’s name). 

(Nominee’s name) if elected, will you serve? (rap gavel) If elected, will you serve? (rap gavel) If elected, will 

you serve? 

Repeat for all nominated candidates 

If a nominated candidates say they will not serve they respond: “I accept the honor, but decline the 

nomination” 

NOTE: Nominations are NOT accepted for N’siah 

Step 4: Speeches 

Call the candidates up alphabetically for speeches, beginning with declared candidates, then slidedowns, 

then floor nominations. 

Don’t forget the song (shoo-bop-shoo-wadda-wadda...bop bop!)! 

Note: speech time will vary from chapter to chapter. Please check your constitution or ask your 

Madricha or advisor if you are unsure of how much time to allow. 

Suggested time: N’siah: 5 minutes, all other positions: 3 minutes, Slide-downs: 1 minute to state 

goals and qualifications. Nominations: 1 minute for qualifications only. 

Ask the candidate about gavel warnings before she begins. It is common to rap the gavel once at 1 

minute, twice at 30 seconds and then three times when time is up. 


13

Step 5: Voting 

Inform the voting body which ballot they will be voting on and their options for voting. It is CRUCIAL that 

they vote on the correct ballot square. If you receive votes written on the incorrect square, you will need to 

re-vote (this prevents people from putting extra votes in the box). 

For each election, the voters may choose any of the candidates or to abstain. Make sure each candidate sits 

together, separated from the rest of the voting body (Suggestion: Set up chairs in the front of the room for 

candidates). DEMAND silence during voting. (It might be a good idea to write each candidate’s name on a 

poster-board, or call out each name) 

Also, remind the voting body that any blank or unclear ballots will be counted as abstentions. 

VOTING— even the N’siah votes, she DOES NOT pocket her vote during elections. Have each girl place the 

ballots in a box. 

Note: If a member leaves the room for any part of the process of electing a candidate (nominations, 

speeches), she is not eligible to vote in that election. Even if the election goes into a runoff, the delegate still 

may NOT cast a ballot for that office. The same people must vote throughout the election of an office. It is 

CRUCIAL that girls say “ami” and you acknowledge them before leaving the room so that you may 

accurately keep track of the number of votes that will be cast. Make sure your Mazkirah is taking detailed 

minutes throughout elections. 

Step 6: Counting the ballots 

Remind people not to talk about elections while you’re gone (they can make top 10 lists, tell stories, sing 

songs, or snack, as long as they are not talking about the elections – have your board members entertain the 

group), hand your gavel to your S’ganit, go outside the room, and count the ballots. Ballots should be 

counted by the N’siah and advisor. In the case that the N’siah is running for a position, the S’ganit shall take 

over the elections for that position. 


14

How to count the ballots... 

1. Determine the Majority needed to elect a candidate (More than 50% of your voting body. Example, if you 

are collecting 29 ballots, 15 votes are required to win the election ~ 29/2 = 14.5= 15) 

2. Count ballots while still CLOSED to ensure the correct # and determine if you need a recount/revote (all 

votes must be on the ballot square that you determined). 

3. Open ballots and pile them up by candidate. 

4. Count all of the piles, beginning with the abstention pile. To clarify: an abstention is a ballot marked 

abstention, a blank ballot, an unclear ballot, or a non-candidate. 

5. Determine the majority. Majority: More than half of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote, 

excluding abstentions. For example in a delegation of 100 people with 10 abstentions, a simple majority 

would be calculated out of 90, not 100 voting members. (this directly follows Robert’s Rules of Order) 

• Any Ballot marked with ‘abstain,’ a blank ballot, an unclear ballot, or a with a person not in the 

election are counted as abstentions and do not count towards the majority. If the majority is 16, but 

there are 5 abstentions, the majority would then be only 11. In that case, no girl would receive the 

majority, and there will be a runoff between the girls who received the highest number of votes. 

6. If a majority is not reached, determine the candidates in the runoff election using the instructions 

outlined below. 

Rules for Run-Offs... 

• In order to have a run-off, you have to have at least two people because there has to be a winner and a loser. 

• You must assume that if you went back into the room and said, “Everybody vote again!” without any other discussion or debate, they’d 

all vote the same way. 

• You automatically keep the candidate with the highest number of votes in the run-off and drop the candidate with the lowest number. 

• To determine other candidates, follow these steps: 

If the candidate with the second-lowest number of votes could achieve the number of votes needed to win when her ballots are added to the 

first candidate who was dropped, keep that candidate. If not, the candidate is also dropped and does not get included in the run off. 

Continue this process of adding the votes of dropped candidates to the person with the next highest number of votes. 


15


Unopposed Election: Option 1 

If there is only one member caucusing for a position and no other member has accepted a nomination 

against her, she may be elected on a white ballot (acclamation). This motion needs to be seconded and the 

N’siah must ask for a dissent. 

Here is how the motion is presented: 

YOU SAY: “Is there a motion off the floor to accept (name of candidate) as (chapter)’s (year/term) 

(position)?” 

Motion is made. 

YOU SAY: "Is there a second?" 

Second to the motion is made. 

YOU SAY: "Any dissent? Dissent? Dissent? Seeing none, (Name of Person) has been elected as our new 

(Name of Position)." 

(You may move into a standing roll call vote if desired) 

*If there IS a dissent and a vote is called for, the N’siah must then move into a vote. The choice of the vote is 

either the candidate or abstention. The candidate is elected regardless of the vote however even if every 

member abstained the majority would just keep getting lowered until it equalled one and it is assumed the 

candidate would vote for themselves. 

Unopposed Election: Option 2 

You can also elect the position through a regular vote from the beginning instead of going 

through the motions of passing a motion at all. In this case the voters choices become abstain 

or vote FOR the candidate. It can be assumed the candidate would vote for themselves however, 

so the candidate will be elected regardless of the outcome. 

16

PLEASE NOTE: 

• The N’siah votes with the rest of the chapter. 

• The N’siah counts ballots with the Advisor. If the N’siah is a candidate, this privilege is passed to the 

S’ganit. 

• Both an Advisor & Quorum must be present for elections to occur. 

• Voting on the wrong ballot can either create a new election or count as an abstention. 

•If the votes do not add up to the total amount, you MUST do a recount/revote. 

In order to win an election, the candidate must receive the majority of the votes such that they have 

received more than half of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote, excluding abstentions. 

Do we have a winner? Almost DONE! 

Make sure girls get quiet and sit down when you return... 

They will say: Have we been successful in electing a new (chapter)(position) 

You say: “Bop-a-doo, bop-a-doo. The new (chapter)(position) is (winner’s name).” 

OR 

“We have not been successful in electing a new (position). We will have a runoff between (name) and 

(name). Please vote on the (pick a square) of our ballots.” 

Regardless of the outcome, there should be NO EMOTION. 

Once a girl has been successfully elected, say: 

“We will now move into the election of chapter (next position in board order) . Will all those 

caucused for the position of chapter (next position) please rise... 

And repeat .... 


17

Installations for the new board 

YOU are responsible for discharging your board. You tap each girl on 

the left of her chest with your gavel and say the following: 

“By the power vested in me by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Inc. 

Board of Directors and (chapter/council) B’nai B’rith Girls, I relieve you 

of all duties and responsibilities as (chapter) (year or term number) 

(office).” 

Then install the new N’siah and say the following: 

“By the power vested in me by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Inc. 

Board of Directors and (chapter/region) B’nai B’rith Girls, I install you 

as (chapter) (year or term number) (office). ” 

The new N’siah will relieve YOU of all duties and then install her board 

with the same process as above. 


You may 

want to 

RUN AWAY 

before you 

get 

“relieved” 

that is 

totally 

okay :) 

18

It’s ELECTION day...Do I have my ? 


Gavel? 

Red or Blue Book? 

Ballot Sheets? 

Pens and Paper? 

BBG Pins? 

Table/List of Declared Candidates? 

Timer? 

Installation cards? 

MUSIC, COLORING BOOKS 

food AKA SPOOOOEY! 

THIS Release? 

Confidence, smile, leadership? 

QUICK RECAP 

1. EMAIL ME & ADVISORS with dates/ 

time of your elections (by APRIL 22nd) 

2. Create a simple, easy to read Election 

Release (at least 5 weeks before 

elections) 

3. Promote Election Day via Facebook 

and Email (at least 5 weeks before 

elections) 

4. Declarations- Open (3-4 weeks 

before) and close (1 week before) 

5. Set Interview Dates (completed 

before elections) 

6. Communicate with S’ganit to plan 

States 

5. HAVE FUN, cherish your last few 

weeks as N’siah, and be the BEST 

Madricha you could possibly be :) 

19

JULIA is smokin’ hot I WANNA BE SADIE 

HANNAH is SOOO COOL! 


REBECCA=GODDESS 

20

N'siah Guide to Chapter Elections - BBYO

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