Purpose

To allow designated staff to modify the system-wide parameters when rules change or to accommodate modifications in the normal processes.

Procedure

Process parameters are in place to ensure the myBallot process follows specific boundaries regarding ballots and invitations. All fields that can be changed will affect all subsequent invitations and ballots. Invitations and ballots that are in process will not be affected by a change to one of these parameters.

The editable process parameters are as follows:

• Use International Date Format

  
  

  This allows for the system to either use international date (DD-MMM-YYYY) format or not. The default should be set to YES.
  
  

  • Length of Invitation (days)

    
    

    This field identifies the number of days that will default for the length an invitation will remain open. This field is found in the Initiate Invitation Screen, although the default will appear to the user, he/she can update the field to accommodate the length of time the invitation will remain open based on the project needs.
    
    

    • Ballot Response Threshold (%)

      
      

      This field identifies the calculated ballot response rate that is required as identified in the IEEE SA Operations Manual. The response rate is factored as: Total # of votes (approve/negative/abstain) received/Total # in ballot group.
      
      

      • Ballot Approval Threshold (%)

        
        

        This field identifies the calculated ballot approval rate that is required as identified in the IEEE SA Operations Manual. The approval rate is factored as: Total # of affirmative (approval) votes received/Total # of responses (approve/negative) received. Abstain responses are not calculated in the affirmation rate.
        
        

        • Abstention Threshold (%)

          
          

          This field identifies the maximum rate of abstain responses allowed as identified in the IEEE SA Operations Manual. The abstain rate is factored as: Total # of abstain responses received/Total # in ballot group.
          
          

          • Ballot Duration (days)

            
            

            This field identifies the number of days that will default for the length a ballot will remain open. This field is found in the Initiate Ballot Screen. Although the default will appear to the user, he/she can update the field to accommodate the length of time the ballot will remain open based on the project needs.
            
            

            • Recirculation Duration (days)

              
              

              This field identifies the number of days that will default for the length a recirculation ballot will remain open. This field is found in the Initiate Recirculation Ballot Screen, although the default will appear to the user, he/she can update the field to accommodate the length of time the Recirculation Ballot will remain open based on the project needs.
              
              

              • Maximum Percentage of Any Balloting Category (%)

                
                

                Our rules require a Sponsor Ballot Group to provide for the development of consensus by all interests significantly affected by the scope of the standard. This is achieved through a balance of such interests in the balloting group membership. Balance is defined as the avoidance of dominance by any single interest category. This parameter is used by the system to automatically check the balance of a balloting group. Balance is checked when the sponsor/designee attempts to Initiate a Ballot.
                
                

                • Number of Display Characters Allowed in a Comment Field

                  
                  

                  The comment view screen allows the user to view truncated or full comments. This field identified how many characters will be displayed in the truncated comment view.
                  
                  

                  • Corporate Vote Weight

                    
                    

                    This field allows for a corporate vote to carry a specific weight in sponsor ballots (which affects all ballots; not a specific ballot).
                    
                    

                    • Comments Required for Negative

                      
                      

                      This field indicates if a comment is required if a voter chooses to submit a negative vote.
                      
                      

                      • Reason Required for Abstain

                        
                        

                        This field indicates if a reason is required if a voter chooses to submit an abstain vote.
                        
                        

                        • Pool Refresh Response Period (days)

                          
                          

                          Currently not functional.
                          
                          

                          • Auto-Extension Period (days)

                            
                            

                            This default field identifies the maximum allowable ballot extension period for sponsor ballots.
                            
                            

                            • Pool Refresh Grace Period (days)

                              
                              

                              Currently not functional.
                              
                              

                              • Membership Override Period (days)

                                
                                

                                This field indicates the number of days a person will be "graced" while allowing them to renew or enroll in SA Membership.