Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Civic Betterment Party?
CBP is a political party without a platform. It is the entire community, represented by a nominating committee of residents from all areas of the Village. CBP is focused on one issue only - providing the Village with good leadership for both the Village and Library. CBP recruits, interviews candidates, sends qualified candidates to the Town Meeting for the Village to vote on who will then represent the Party on the Spring general election ballot.
What is the CBP’s political agenda?
See above
What are the qualifications to run for a Village or Library Board position?
Lived in village for 1 year, registered voter
How do I apply if I am interested in running?
Contact any CBP Nominating Committee member or go online to www.civicbetterment.com for an application. Completed applications should be forwarded to the chairman of the Nominating Committee, Alex Demos - 828 Hillside Avenue, Glen Ellyn. Once received, you will be contacted regarding an interview time. Interviews are 30 minutes in length with the full committee.
What is the purpose of the Town Meeting?
The Town meeting is essentially the party's primary. The community comes together to listen to candidates for all offices present their qualifications during the business meeting. Candidates are available for one-on-one conversations all afternoon during the voting process. Residents select the candidates that will represent the Party during the general election in the Spring of the following year.
Where and when is the Town meeting?
November 22, 2008 at the Civic Center gymnasium (2nd Floor)
What is the Town Meeting voting process like?
Residents can vote at the Town Meeting if they are eligible to register to vote in the general election. Upon arrival at the Civic Center, residents register to vote in the process, receive ballots and have until the end of the proceedings to interview candidates and cast your ballot.
Is there a term limit for CBP candidates?
No. There is a tradition in the Village that trustees serve one term only, but it is not a requirement from the Party.
What is the benefit of running on the CBP slate?
The benefits are many. First the community knows that the candidates have been vetted by a non-partisan group. Single issue candidates generally don't get to the point of being at the Town Meeting. Successful candidates can rely on CBP to handle most paperwork required to be placed on the ballot, and in the event of a contested election, to provide campaign support throughout the campaign.
Who is eligible to vote at the CBP Town meeting?
See above.
Why doesn’t the CBP select candidates for the Park District Board and School Board elections?
The Village limits are different than the Park District or School District Boundaries, therefore the makeup of the Nominating Committee would have to be very different to adequately serve each of these populations. Up until the early '90's, the school districts had their own caucus structure, which for a variety of reasons were allowed to lapse.
How can I become involved in the CBP?
First, and foremost, get involved by attending the Town Meeting in November. Election to the Nominating Committee is a good way to start, but also contact the Party officers to consider appointment to the committee. Support of the Party comes in many forms, including fund raising. CBP has a limit on the amount of donations that any one person can make in a calendar year, so it requirees many supporters to finance our limited budget.