[Note: This message is being posted in both the C and C++ echos.]
  As some of you know, the C++ echo's last moderator of record, Jerry Coffin, 
has his FidoNet access cut rather abruptly recently when his BossNode BBS 
shut down. As of 1-Jan-98, the EchoList entry for the C++ echo has expired 
and the participants have one month to elect a new moderator. I've been in 
touch with Jerry, who encouraged me to conduct a new moderator election. This 
message is the first notice of the election.
  However, it's also new moderator election time in the C echo, which begs a 
significant question - is it time to rejoin these two echos? Some of you may 
remember that the C++ echo was born of the C echo about 8 years ago when 
FidoNet in general was a lot more robust than it has been lately. Over the 
years, there have been several suggestions to reintegrate the two, but 
nothing has come of it.
  Circumstances now suggest this is a time to put it to a vote. To this end, 
I suggest the following ground rules:
1.  If the C++ echo continues, it will need a moderator. Based on experience,
    the qualifications should be:
    a)  Candidates must have been active in the echo for the preceding month.
    b)  Candidates must be either a FidoNet sysop or a point. If a point, the
        candidacy must be supported by the candidate's BossNode sysop.
    c)  Candidates must have Internet Email access as well as FIdoNet access.
2.  The election rules are as follows:
    a)  Candidates may either be nominated without requiring a second, or may
        may volunteer, in which case a second will be required.
    b)  The nominating period will run through 18-Jan-98. Nominations or
        volunteers may be posted in the C_PLUSPLUS echo or emailed to me at
        rbs@snippets.org.
    c)  Nominations must be accepted. Those accepting nomination (as well as
        those volunteering) should email me rbs@snippets.org.
    d)  The voting period will run through 31-Jan-98. Votes should be sent to
        me via NetMail to 1:106/2000.6 or email to rbs@snippets.org.
3.  I suggest that both the C and C++ echo ballots should include a place to
    vote for reunification, yes or no. If the vote for reunification passes,
    the C_PLUSPLUS EchoList entry will be allowed to expire and the elected
    C_Echo moderator will become the moderator of the new combined echo.
4.  Reuninfication must be approved by *both* echos. If either votes it down,
    then the C++ echo will either have to have a newly elected moderator or 
t
    will be allowed to die a natural death.
5.  Auke Reitsma, the incumbent C_Echo moderator is conducting the election 
n
    the C echo. I will conduct it in the C++ echo since I have both the
    experience (I've moderatated both echos more than once and have conducted
    elections in both) and will not be a candidate in either.
  Barring any showstopping issues in either echo, the nominating period for 
C++ echo moderator is now open. 
 
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