National Campaign Rules

All candidates will have equal exposure through the Academy, such as postings on social media, in Eat Right Weekly and all-member email blasts.

Solicit support for one candidate over another.

Promote voting to membership via Academy emails and social media channels.

Maintain designated Election website promoting all candidates and providing biographical information.

Adhere to the Academy's National Election Campaign Rules.

Encourage members to vote.

Outreach to members BEFORE JANUARY 18 to ask for support is considered campaigning and not allowed.

Promote self and the Academy and give members a reason to vote. Joint campaigning is discouraged to avoid perception by voters that candidates are running mates and confusion whether separate votes must be cast for both.

Use of disparaging or negative comments against the Academy or any other candidate.

Employ campaign video for self-promotion.

Create personal campaign materials or website and link to Academy's election webpage, (Note: Academy election webpage will not link to personal campaign websites.)

May use photos or video images of current elected or appointed DPG, MIG, CDR, ACEND, HOD Affiliate, and/or District leaders in personal campaigning, but candidates must obtain permission from the individual prior to using images or likeness.

Option to use Academy member logo or election graphic promotional logo on campaign promotional materials – website, correspondence, signage. (Note: Academy marks and logos may not be altered.)

Use personal contact list as a source to send personal emails and/or call members to solicit votes.

Blast emails or newsletters, using services such as Mailchimp, to any Academy DPG, MIG, CDR, HOD, Affiliate and/or District membership lists.

The use of membership lists obtained through the candidate's role as current or past organizational unit leaders is not allowed.

Hire or request assistance with campaigning as long as the person/organization is not Academy/DPG/MIG/HOD or CDR/ACEND employed staff.

Ask Academy or CDR staff and/or Executive Directors assigned to Affiliates, DPGs and MIGs for support or to assist with campaigning.

Enlist friends and colleagues to campaign on any candidates' behalf by sending emails, making phone calls, posting on personal social media accounts.

Use official Academy or organization unit communications, social media channels, Facebook groups, websites, electronic mailing lists or Community of Interest posts to promote individual candidacy.

Promote candidacy at personal social gatherings.

Campaign at Academy, Affiliate, District or CDR sponsored events, such as, DPG, MIG, CDR, HOD, meetings or webinars.

Use personal communications and social media channels to campaign.

May not use communications like discussion boards and social media channels associated with or owned by the Academy (including HOD, Affiliates, DPGs and MIGs).

Use hashtag #eatrightPRO in the campaign.

Tag or mention @eatrightPRO, or any Academy-owned profiles including Affiliates, DPGs, MIGs, media spokespeople.

Support and encourage voting in general and emphasize member participation in the elections.

Use disparaging or negative comments against opposing candidates.

May show personal support for a candidate via non-Academy related electronic mailing lists or communication platforms without mentioning their current Academy leadership position. For example, leaders can say, "As a colleague of candidate X, expressing my personal opinion, I support her/his candidacy for the office of X."

If showing support through written personal communications, signature line may not display current Academy leadership position.

Beginning January 1, Academy groups (DPGs, MIGs, CDR, Affiliates and Districts) are encouraged to list all candidates (even if there is just one) associated with their unit equally via their communication platforms (listservs, social media, newsletters, website, etc.).

For example, groups can say, To read about the candidates running for national and CDR offices and to cast your vote, visit the Academy elections webpage. Several (DPG, MIG, CDR, Affiliate, District, etc.) members are running for national office (name the candidates).

Use meetings, print, electronic or social media to communicate with members of their unit about the voting process.

Hold meetings (electronic, phone, in person) to allow discussion of candidates' qualifications/positions as long as all candidates are given the opportunity to be represented.

Emphasize issues and qualifications presented by candidates in a professional, positive, accurate manner.

Encourage all members to vote.

Support an individual candidate through print, electronic or social media communications.

Encourage friends and colleagues who to vote for or not to vote for.

Encourage all members to vote.

Support an individual candidate through print, electronic or social media communications or share preferences for one candidate over another.

Answer questions about voting process; route questions to staff as needed.

Report all suspected campaign violations.

Support election process; encourage fellow members to vote; talk about preferred candidates and why.

Promote candidates on Academy-related electronic mailing lists or communication platforms.

Post messages on social media in support of a candidate(s).

Use of disparaging or negative comments against opposing candidates.

Send individual messages using personal email account(s) to encourage support for a candidate.