The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
So sorry. Got it by email but really cant be bothered to look at the downloads. I guess that is why post works best.
Check your junk mail
- Thread starter adam
- Start date
Did notice, because I received (by email), my own individual ballot and also a group ballot to fill in, that there is a small glitch.
The first page quite correctly states whether it is being sent as an "Individual Member Ballot Paper" or a "Group Member Ballot Paper"; however, the actual return slip refers to "... Individual Member Ballot Form" on both versions. I know the 8-figure code you have to enter will differentiate but thought you should be aware.
Is it worth amending the Ballot Paper heading to correct it for Group Votes where it is wrong?
The first page quite correctly states whether it is being sent as an "Individual Member Ballot Paper" or a "Group Member Ballot Paper"; however, the actual return slip refers to "... Individual Member Ballot Form" on both versions. I know the 8-figure code you have to enter will differentiate but thought you should be aware.
Is it worth amending the Ballot Paper heading to correct it for Group Votes where it is wrong?
Tommy
Active member
The Old Ruminator said:
When post arrives for me through the letterbox I can rarely be arsed to open it, just like you.
You'd think this might cause me problems with bills and other 'important' things, except I receive all of those by email because it's 2017 and I hate wasted paper.
I guess that's why email works best.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Cookie said:
Thanks - so if I fill in the word doc and email that back, do I need to give it a new file name or send it back with the same file name?
This all seems very complicated. I'm with the Old Ruminator; sticking a few crosses on a piece of paper and shoving it in an envelope is far simpler.
cavemanmike
Well-known member
Cookie said:Pitlamp said:You could print it then be sticking a few crosses on the piece of paper and shoving it in an envelope.
Because I'm not computer savvy that's exactly what I did
Tommy
Active member
Some better options for doing this in future would be Google Forms:
https://www.google.co.uk/forms/about/
or something like Survey Monkey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/user/sign-in/?
Both of which create 'simple, click and go' surveys and polls, the data collection is automated as well.
I imagine some poor soul at the BCA is going to have to open each one of these word documents or PDFs and collate the data manually, which sounds unreliable and tiresome.
Also, how are the word documents to be protected from editing?
Electronic balloting needn't be so difficult for us. Attempting to emulate the characteristics of a paper ballot via electronic means (i.e. sending out a document for editing and return) demonstrates a poor understanding of what is possible and has been possible for most of my lifetime.
For context I am approximately the same age as Amazon, Yahoo, and Netscape. This is a long enough time for two of those giants of yesteryear to be largely irrelevant.
Fitting given the overarching circumstances. Let's hope this email ballot proves to be a success and is a positive step in the right direction.
https://www.google.co.uk/forms/about/
or something like Survey Monkey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/user/sign-in/?
Both of which create 'simple, click and go' surveys and polls, the data collection is automated as well.
I imagine some poor soul at the BCA is going to have to open each one of these word documents or PDFs and collate the data manually, which sounds unreliable and tiresome.
Also, how are the word documents to be protected from editing?
Electronic balloting needn't be so difficult for us. Attempting to emulate the characteristics of a paper ballot via electronic means (i.e. sending out a document for editing and return) demonstrates a poor understanding of what is possible and has been possible for most of my lifetime.
For context I am approximately the same age as Amazon, Yahoo, and Netscape. This is a long enough time for two of those giants of yesteryear to be largely irrelevant.
Fitting given the overarching circumstances. Let's hope this email ballot proves to be a success and is a positive step in the right direction.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Cookie said:Any file name will be fine.Pitlamp said:
Yes, but quite pricey when you multiply the cost of postage by 6000 odd.
You could print it then be sticking a few crosses on the piece of paper and shoving it in an envelope.
If I had a working printer I might have done that as the easiest option.
I'll try and sort my vote today, if I get a spare second.
Bob Mehew
Well-known member
The problem we encountered is our Data Protection statement says we will not issue email addresses to a third party. We could not find an on line ballot system which would get around that limitation! :-[ (That is the next major job; updating the statement and getting acceptance.)Topimo said:
extract from 2017 BCA ballot procedure Each completed ballot form shall be checked off against the print of security codes to identify duplicate returns. The first form taken be it posted or emailed will be taken as the member?s vote. Any subsequent form will be placed to one side under the control of the Returning Officer. The Unique Security code list will differentiate between Individuals and Groups.Aubrey said:
Bob Mehew
Well-known member
Offering advice rather depends on how up to date your system is. As Jason said, the word document attachment can be opened and you are constrained to edit the document in just a few places. When you have done so, you could try the 'printing to pdf' option (select print, then select 'print to pdf' from the choice of printer). Microsoft provide such a program or as Jason says you can download a range of free ones. Google "freeware print to pdf" to find one.Pitlamp said:
Alternatively with the pdf attachment you could select the 'fill in and sign' option in Tools from Adobe Acrobat's free version. (It take a little effort to get the x within the box.) You can then save that completed version of the pdf file for return.
Alternately, you could appeal to a friend to help or if all else fails, ask the BCA Secretary for a printed form.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
cavemanmike said:Cookie said:Pitlamp said:You could print it then be sticking a few crosses on the piece of paper and shoving it in an envelope.
Yup.Guess who hasn't got a printer ----
Actually, this problem was identified fairly early on due to a query from SUSS to DCA/BCA. Their rep. pointed out that many students used their smart phones to access the internet and didn't own a laptop or a printer.
One answer suggested was for the club secretary to print off a batch of blank forms to hand out to the student members; then each student could complete their own paper form, using the 8-figure code which they would have received via their smartphone. The completed forms could then be collected up by the club secretary and sent back in a batch - each completed form would be valid because it would have the individual's code no.
In fact I found that the Word version of the ballot paper didn't download properly so could't be completed online (a fault with my non-standard system I suspect, nowt to do with BCA) - so I have printed the last page of the pdf version, completed it in ink and will post it back.
Don't forget this is the very first time that BCA has ever tried to run a ballot by email; many and various glitches have been found and circumvented along the way. It's been a huge learning process for all of us but the work that has been done this time should pay off the next time BCA runs a ballot.
Democracy is hard work! (At least we don't have "hanging chads" - remember them?)
One answer suggested was for the club secretary to print off a batch of blank forms to hand out to the student members; then each student could complete their own paper form, using the 8-figure code which they would have received via their smartphone. The completed forms could then be collected up by the club secretary and sent back in a batch - each completed form would be valid because it would have the individual's code no.
In fact I found that the Word version of the ballot paper didn't download properly so could't be completed online (a fault with my non-standard system I suspect, nowt to do with BCA) - so I have printed the last page of the pdf version, completed it in ink and will post it back.
Don't forget this is the very first time that BCA has ever tried to run a ballot by email; many and various glitches have been found and circumvented along the way. It's been a huge learning process for all of us but the work that has been done this time should pay off the next time BCA runs a ballot.
Democracy is hard work! (At least we don't have "hanging chads" - remember them?)
