CSWA RUNOFF VOTE RESULTS SUMMARY

Thank you to all members who participated in the runoff vote to name the association. By adding your voice you have provided valuable information that will help strengthen the association’s identity and shape its future. A total of 119 votes were cast, only 7% fewer than were cast in the first round. This consistent turnout suggests members continue to be very engaged in the question of what we call ourselves.

In the runoff vote, members were asked to answer a set of three questions to establish which name they prefer. The choice was between the current name and the two most popular alternatives that emerged from the first round of voting.

Here are the results:

Q1: When given a choice between Canadian Science Writers’ Association and Canadian Science Communicators, the vote was split almost evenly.

(CSWA = 59, CSC = 60).

Q2: When given a choice between Canadian Science Writers’ Association and Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, the majority vote (58%) was for the latter.

(CSWA = 50, SWCC = 69)

Q3: When given a choice between the two alternative names, 65% chose Science Writers and Communicators of Canada.

(CSC = 42, SWCC = 77)

Every set of answers also reveals how each individual voter would rank the three names. When compiled, these results show how many picked each option as a first choice.

FIRST CHOICE:   

Canadian Science Writers’ Association  = 34

Canadian Science Communicators = 34

Science Writers and Communicators of Canada = 51

This same method can be used to show what voters’ least favourite options were.

LAST CHOICE:

Canadian Science Writers’ Association  = 44

Canadian Science Communicators = 51

Science Writers and Communicators of Canada = 24

WHAT THE VOTES SHOW:

• More than two thirds of members who voted (71.4%) indicated the association’s current name is not their first choice.  

• Science Writers and Communicators of Canada is the most prefered (and the least disliked) among the alternatives.

• Science Writers and Communicators of Canada is preferred  over the association’s current name by 58% of those who voted.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

In the coming months,  the board will be be asking members  to consider a revised constitution and bylaws.  It would require a two-thirds (66.6%) majority to change the association’s legal name to the one that is most popular with those who voted: Science Writers and Communicators of Canada. The board must now decide whether or not to include this name in the revised constitution document and seek the approval of  two thirds of the members. What do you think? We invite comments and discussion.