Campaign Guidelines

Reaffirmed: April 2008

The national election campaign guidelines were revised in 2004 by the ADA Nominating Committee.  A notable change is that campaigning is no longer limited just to the ADA election site on the Web to further assist members in making informed decisions.  Effective with the 2004 national election, other ADA electronic mailing lists can be used for campaigning that is conducted in a professional, positive and accurate manner.

Questions regarding the campaign guidelines should be forwarded to nominations@eatright.org.  

Association Role in Election Process
  • Promote nominating and voting processes as member benefits to encourage participation
  • Publicize candidates to help members make informed voting decisions
  • Establish guidelines to facilitate candidate campaign participation
  • Provide a designated electronic site to allow for information on candidates and the election process
  • Allow for use of ADA sites (e.g., DPG, CDR, CADE, HOD electronic mailing lists, Web sites) for professional, positive campaigning.

Candidate Responsibilities in Campaigning

  • Conform to the ADA Code of Ethics
  • Use ADA sites to provide biographical information and engage in the candidates’ Q & A opportunity facilitated by ADA’s Nominating Committee
  • Campaign in a professional, positive and appropriate manner, avoiding disparaging or negative comments.

Examples of Acceptable Campaign Activities

  • Developing and using lobbying techniques (e.g., promotional material, personal contacts, hosted events) to promote candidacy
  • Campaigning on current ADA issues
  • Describing how employment and volunteer experiences relate to the qualifications for office
  • Using own money to campaign
  • Seeking financial support (money or in-kind services) and/or endorsements from:
    -        Affiliates
    -        Dietetic Practice Groups
    -        Individuals
    -        Other (e.g., employer, universities, hospitals, corporations).

House of Delegates
The role of the HOD member in the election process is to:

  • Nominate qualified individuals to ADA’s Nominating Committee
  • Encourage members to vote
  • Become informed about candidates’ qualifications and views by seeking information from candidates
  • Communicate with grassroots members (e.g., affiliate meetings, newsletters, Web sites)
  • At the delegate’s discretion, express own opinion of candidate’s qualifications
  • At the delegate’s discretion, offer available information regarding the affiliate’s position on a candidate.

Dietetic Practice Groups
The role of the DPGs in the election process may include any or all of the following:

  • Nominate qualified individuals to ADA’s Nominating Committee
  • Hold meetings to allow discussion of candidates’ qualifications/positions
  • Emphasize issues and qualifications presented by candidates in a professional, positive, accurate manner
  • Use meetings, newsletters and electronic mailing list to promote voting
  • Use meetings to establish voting sites
  • Respect the original intended purpose of the electronic mailing list, Web site, and related communications.

Affiliates
The role of the affiliate association in the election process may include any or all of the following:

  • Nominate qualified individuals to ADA’s Nominating Committee
  • Hold meetings to allow discussion of candidates’ qualifications/positions
  • Emphasize issues and qualifications presented by candidates in a professional, positive, accurate manner
  • Use meetings, newsletters and electronic mailing lists to promote voting
  • Use meetings to establish voting sites
  • Respect the original intended purpose of the electronic mailing list, Web site, and related communications.

ADA Board of Directors
The role of the ADA BOD member in the election process is to:

  • Nominate qualified individuals to ADA’s Nominating Committee
  • Encourage members to vote
  • Become informed about candidates’ qualifications and views
  • BOD members on the national ballot should adhere to the campaign guidelines
  • BOD members not on the national ballot should maintain neutrality in discussions about candidates.

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