Identifying the actual number needed is almost impossible since the number of voting delegates is--suprisingly--complicated under the USATF bylaws. The member association delegates, however, make up (by far) the largest potential pool of voters. There are 57 member associations who, if in good standing, are eligbile for at least 12 votes. (Your best bet to be a voting delegate is actually to be an athlete).So here are the totals:Board Members: ~16 votesNominating and Governance: 7 VotesCommittee Chairs: 6 VotesPast Presidents: ? Association Delegates: 684 (or more) VotesSports Organizations: 10 VotesOther Constituencies: ? [but likely not more than 10]International Athletes: at least 20% of the total delegationThe key here is (1) maximinzing the association delegates and (2) securing the international athlete vote [Note: international athlete is a specific designation defined by the bylaws.]. Based on the above numbers, I think the ~600 voting delegates is about the most you could expect. There were 460 this year but one would expect more if there was a vote to remove Hightower from the presidency.Also, the alternate section could be very important. So, I would estimate that one needs 450 (with 90 of those votes coming from athletes) to feel safe. Like I said on another post, to make this happen I would want to see some other reason to be in Houston that weekend.Someone tell Flotrack to move the beer mile to Houston that weekend; LetsRun throw an after party; Becca put on a street vault; etc.
USATF Bylaws state:
DELEGATES AND THEIR SELECTION TO MEETINGS
The following persons shall be entitled to participate as voting delegates at USATF meetings. All delegates must be at least 18 years of age, current USATF members, and, during the annual meeting, must be registered:
A. Officers and Board members: The officers and the members of the USATF Board, including non-voting Board members and the Counsel to the Board.
B. Nominating and Governance Panel Members.
C. Committee chairs: The chairs of all committees listed in Article 13.
D. Past presidents: The past presidents of USATF
E. Association delegates: Twelve (12) delegates from each accredited Association recognized by USATF. Any accredited Association with more than one thousand (1,000) individual members shall be entitled to name one (1) additional delegate for each one thousand (1,000) individual members. Total Association individual members shall be determined based on the twelve (12) month registration period ending on October 31 of the current calendar year. However, an Association whose membership has increased since then may petition the Organizational Services Committee seeking credentials for additional delegates. Each Association’s delegation shall meet the following requirements:
1. Membership: Each of the Association’s delegates shall be a member of the Association;
2. Athletes: At least twenty percent (20%) of the delegates in each delegation shall be Active Athletes. (See Exhibits.) If available, at least one (1) of the Active Athlete delegates shall be an International Athlete. National Office Management shall provide the following during the month of August each year:
a. Athlete notice: Notice to all athlete members meeting the definition of International Athlete of the address and telephone number of their Association; and
b. Association notice: Notice to each Association of those athlete members meeting the definition of International Athlete who belong to that Association;
c. An Association’s International athletes who are current USATF members shall be considered and/or have a vote (where voting occurs) in selecting athlete delegates. Associations shall offer their athlete delegates no less funding than any other member of the Association’s delegation other than the head of delegation.
3. Coaches: The number of delegates who shall be coaches is stated in the Exhibits. If available, at least one (1 of the coaches shall be a high school coach;
4. Dual roles: For purposes of determining compliance with these requirements, an individual from an Association may be treated as both a Coach and an Athlete if the individual satisfies the qualifications of both. (See exhibits section of this handbook for further explanation); and
5. Sport committees: Each Association shall select among its delegates at least one (1) individual to represent each of its sport committees that holds an Association championship.
F. Sports organizations: Ten (10) delegates named by each sports organization referred to in Article 5-C, and recognized by USATF.
G. Other constituencies: One (1) delegate named by each organization referred to in Article 5-D, other than Affiliated organizations, unless USATF votes to grant an organization a greater number of delegates. Affiliated organizations shall have delegates only if the Board authorizes them.
H. International Athletes: The members of the Athletes Advisory Committee and additional International Athlete delegates so that the number shall be at least twenty percent (20%) of the total number of delegates. The International Athletes registered as attendees at the annual meeting shall select these additional delegates under procedures approved and administered by the Athletes Advisory Committee.
I. Alternates: Alternates may be named for all delegates except the officers and directors of USATF. An alternate may vote in the place of an absent delegate provided the alternate meets all of the required qualifications of the absent delegate.