Re: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH award nominations--who's nominated, and how is the winner chosen?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Right now SPAH staff are far too busy with preparations for the upcoming SPAH convention to engage in this discussion.

As I stated in my last reply, I'm willing to look at possible changes - but in a considered and thoughtful way, not in responses to slams from someone who casts aspersions when he doesn't get his way immediately. And yes, in the time scheme of these things, two weeks is the same as immediately.

As to the Nigerian election comparison, SPAH awards are not by public election and are not a popularity contest. The comparison is both inappropriate and unfair. After the convention, I'd be willing to engage in a public discussion of the process.

One reason not to name nominees is the same reason that nominees for appointment or promotion in organizations such as universities are not named - because those who do not receive appointment or promotion are seen as failures.

Is that the appropriate model or is the Academy Awards nomination model? Again, a valid question, and one to be considered when time is available.

Winslow
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 10:49 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH award nominations--who's nominated, and how is the winner chosen?
 

A little over two weeks ago, I sent the following message:
>
>About a month ago we were all reminded that the deadline for SPAH awards (June 30) was fast approaching.  Presumably the nominations are now all in, but I haven't seen any comments anywhere, including SPAH's website, regarding who was nominated for what.
>
>So who was nominated for what?  While we're on the topic, how are the winners chosen?  I don't see anything on SPAH's site that describes the process.  
>

There's been input from SPAH since then on the second topic--how winners are chosen. The answer is essentially that the SPAH leadership votes, privately.  There's been no comment on the first question: who was nominated for what?

There's also been no reply to my follow-up question: what's the (good) reason for keeping nominations a secret?

Secret nominations and a secret vote: to me, the process sounds less transparent than a Nigerian election.  That's not a standard to which any elected body, such as SPAH leadership, should aspire.  

So I'll repeat my original and followup requests for information: who was nominated for what, and failing an answer to that, what's the rationale for secret nominations?  

Thanks, Richard Hunter


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