Artisan Association Elections

July 11th, 2008 La Encantada, Peru

Artisan Association Elections

A year has passed since the association last elected a new president and all the other leadership positions. Tonight was the election for next year´s positions. Before the association held the election, I proposed that they did it a little different this year. I proposed that those who wanted certain positions give a little speech and then we would hold a secret ballot vote. Normally, a few people are nominated and then everyone is asked his vote personally in front of all the others. Unfortunately I was shot down because “we have always done it this way.” Talk about a lame excuse. I made this known and a couple people supported me but eventually they decided to do it “like they always have.” The problem is that it puts people on the spot to have to declare your vote in front of everyone, especially when they go down the line one by one. It becomes just a big political problem with personal friendships and pressure playing a big part. One guy stood up and said, “This is why nothing ever changes. We don´t really hold our leadership accountable to actually accomplish anything.” I really don´t know if there is much hope for this association.