Per Kathryn's request, here is formal text to implement Nii's suggestion. with the additions in upper case, and the deletions surrounded by [begin deletion: :end deletion] markers. You will notice that the replacement text is very much shorter than what it replaces. A couple of words of explanation: The "alternates" system goes to some length to be sure that the point of view of a *particular* NC rep is maintained, which in my opinion diminishes the role of the AdComm members, and encourages factionalism in the AdCom and in the NCDNHC. This model, on the other hand, makes the role the AdCom members more important, and encourages compromise among all our NC members and AdCom members, since an Ad Com member could be an alternate for any of the NC reps. I think the "alternates" system also encourages "Lone Ranger" type behavior on part of the NC reps, and makes the NC rep less accountable to the NCDNHC as a whole. On two occasions in the recent past a NC member has started to move forward with a position that in fact was quite controversial within the Constituency, and only was stopped because of an outcry in the constituency. Here's the text: Starting with section IV(F): F. ** Alternates While it is anticipated that Names Council representatives will manage the many tasks of Names Council representation, Constituency management and DNSO working group participation, it is also recognized that participation in the many international meetings, international conference calls, and other Names Council duties may from time to time require a sharing of time and costs with an Alternate. IN SUCH A CASE THE FIRST CHOICE FOR ALTERNATE SHALL BE THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER WHO WAS THE PERSON WITH THE FOURTH HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES FROM A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC REGION THAN THE 3 NAMES COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES. SHOULD THAT PERSON DECLINE, OR OTHERWISE NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE TASK, THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER WHO WAS THE PERSON WITH THE FIFTH HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES FROM A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC REGION THAN THE 3 NAMES COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES SHALL SERVE. [begin deletion: Each person running for Names Council representative may choose an alternate with whom to run. The alternate candidate must be affiliated with an organization that is a member of the NCDNHC, and have the approval of that organization to run. Further, the alternate must be a citizen of the same geographic region as the Names Council candidate. The names of the two individuals shall be listed together on the voting ballot. A Names Council candidate need not run with an alternate. The Alternate shall work closely with the Names Council representative to participate and vote as he/she would have done. The Alternate shall keep the Names Council representative fully informed of his/her actions when participating in Names Council activities. :end deletion] G. Resignation or Withdrawal SHOULD AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER WITHDRAW, RESIGN OR OTHERWISE RELINQUISH HIS/HER POSITION PRIOR TO THE END OF HIS/HER TERM, THE GEOGRAPHIC REGION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER SHALL BE ASKED TO HOLD NEW ELECTIONS FOR THIS POSITION. SUCH ELECTED REPLACEMENTS SHALL ONLY FILL OUT THE REMAINING TERM OF THE DEPARTING MEMBER. THE GEOGRAPHIC REGION MAY ELECT TO NOT HOLD AN ELECTION, IF THEY DEEM THERE IS INSUFFICIENT TIME BEFORE THE NEXT FULL ELECTION. [begin deletion: 1. Of a Names Council Representative Should a Names Council representative withdraw, resign or otherwise relinquish his/her position prior to the end of his/her term, the Constituency shall hold new elections for this position, provided the remaining time of the term consists of six or more months. Should the remaining time of the term consist of less than six months, the alternate of the Names Council representative, should such a person exist, shall complete the term. Should the Names Council representative resign without an alternate and with less than six months remaining in his/her term, the Administrative Committee member who was the person with the fourth highest number of votes from a different geographic region than the 3 Names Council Representatives shall serve out the remainder of the term. ** 2. Of an Administrative Committee member Should an Administrative Committee member (who is not also a Names Council representative) withdraw, resign or otherwise relinquish his/her position prior to the end of his/her term, the Geographic region of the Administrative Committee member shall be asked to hold new elections for this position, provided the remaining time of the term consists of six or more months. Should the remaining time of the term consist of less than six months, the alternate of the Administrative Committee representative, should such a person exist, shall complete the term. Should the Administrative Committee member resign without an alternate and with less than six months remaining in his/her term, the Administrative Committee shall solicit input from the Constituency members of the Geographic region of the Administrative Committee member and appoint a person from the Region to serve out the term. 3. Of an Alternate Should an alternate to a Names Council Representative withdraw, resign or otherwise relinquish his/her position prior to the end of his/her term, the Constituency shall hold new elections for this position provided the remaining time of the term consists of six or more months. Should the remaining time of the term consist of less than six months, the Names Council Representative with whom the Alternate served shall appoint a new Alternate to serve out the term. The new Alternate must be from the same Geographic region as the Names Council representative and must be affiliated with an organization that is a member of the NCDNHC, and have the approval of that organization to run.** :end deletion] Kent