In another first designed to make the services and projects of the new National Committee accessible to all members, regardless of size and travel capabilities, the National Committee is launching its first-ever electronic ballot, which will place the preexisting voting issues, available on NCUTLO's Home Page since September 23, on a form which can be sent by email to NCUTLO Staff.

All members of NCUTLO, whether state, sponsor or individual, have one vote in the activities of the National Committee. Members who are unable to travel to Washington, DC to cast their votes in person will now be able to utilize the new technology to cast their votes without the necessity of travel.

Here's how it will work: On October 14, 1997, a special section will be placed on NCUTLO's Home Page, which is located at: www.ncutlo.org. Any member with access to the member only sites will use the pre assigned password to enter the voting site, where complete directions and a ballot containing the suggested UVC changes submitted by AAMVA, the suggested changes submitted by the Task Force on Chapter 11 revision, and the suggested revisions submitted by the Ohio Bicycle Federation will be posted. The member may then vote "Yes", "No", or "Abstain" on any of the issues posted. When the form is filled out to include the member name and affiliation, the member simply clicks "Submit Form" and the ballot is returned to the NCUTLO office. The form will remain on the web site for 7 business days, and will be withdrawn at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on October 22, 1997. Once withdrawn, the only way to cast a vote will be by attending the Annual Meeting. That's all there is to it!

Keep in mind the following: there will be only ONE vote accepted from any state, sponsor or individual member. Should more than one vote be submitted, the NCUTLO staff will invalidate all votes submitted, and notify the member of the discrepancy. It is then the member's responsibility to talk with all potential individuals and decide how to cast the member vote, and so notify the NCUTLO staff. Also, any member who votes by electronic ballot and subsequently attends the Annual Meeting will have their previous electronic vote invalidated, and the representative present will cast the official vote for that member.

The purpose of the electronic balloting is to provide simple, timely and inexpensive access to NCUTLO activities for all members...but there are drawbacks to this method. Only those issues already posted and submitted to the NCUTLO staff can be voted on; any issues which arise at the Annual Meeting itself will NOT be available for vote by this electronic method. Also, electronic balloting will be limited to responses of "Yes", "No", or "Abstain"...any comments will need to be submitted separately through the use of the Discussion Forum. In addition, any members not attending will miss the Internet demonstration and the opportunity to speak up and debate NCUTLO's future plans and projects as we head into 1998.

So if you can attend, we welcome you...but if travel and time are insurmountable obstacles for you, please feel free to take advantage of this opportunity. If you have problems in attempting to vote by e-mail, please use the toll-free number, 800/807-5290 to call Leila Osina, and she will work with you to resolve any technical difficulties. So there's no reason NOT to vote..let us hear from you!!!

New NCUTLO member AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Executive Director Mr. Francis B. Francois has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors of the new NCUTLO. If approved, AASHTO will fill the board slot recently vacated by the resignation of Mike Crow, Kansas DOT.

Also scheduled to join the NCUTLO Board is Michele Fields, representative of new member Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Michele has been active with NCUTLO since its reorganization and will be a welcome addition to the hardworking NCUTLO Board.

Board members being slated for reelection are: Linda Lewis, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), and Terry Tyrpin, National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII). The full slate will be presented to the membership for approval on October 24.

Citing likely changes to issues included in AAMVA's recent submission of suggested changes in salvage vehicle titling legislation, AAMVA has requested that NCUTLO remove from consideration these recommended changes to the Uniform Vehicle Code's Chapter 3. As the issues become clearer in the months ahead, NCUTLO will work with AAMVA and all other interested parties to revise the suggestions and develop model language to reflect these pending changes. To read the previously submitted changes, check this month's fax back documents and request document AAMVA4. Should you have comments or concerns about these revisions, please send them to the NCUTLO staff, either by letter, fax or by submitting comments over the new NCUTLO Discussion Forum. (See article below for information on how to access the Forum).

A new web page redesign will feature the registration of www.ncutlo.org as the NCUTLO's new and simplified web page Uniform Resource Locator, or URL. The URL is used to identify and navigate to the organization site, and the use of the standard format for nonprofit organizations, .org extension, should simplify the access to the web page. Along with the url change, the entire Home Page will undergo transformation into a slicker and more graphically pleasing home site, while still retaining its ability to load quickly.

Among the new features planned will be themed and color-coded discussion groups, so members will be able to easily track all discussions and issues on a single subject by following the color-coded comments list.

The planned new Home Page for the NCUTLO ClearingHouse site on the World Wide Web.

The quick (and easy) way to submit your ideas and suggestions

Relax...it's easy!!! Even if you have never accessed a discussion forum before, you can make your voice be heard...and your organization's position be publicized across the nation...just by posting a comment (or two!) at the Members Only discussion forum now available to all NCUTLO members at the new web site. Not only is it quick, easy and accessible by any Internet browser, it is the only travel-free (and travel-COST- free) way of assuring that your state, agency, organization or individual comment, question, suggestion for editing or new model idea will be acted upon.

All you have to do is go to the Members Only discussion site, choose the discussion "thread" or topic that you wish to comment on, and post a message...that's it! All messages are automatically delivered to the National Committee staff ...and if you wish, will be delivered to your email address as they are posted. What better way to access your National Committee membership without having to go through the hassle and expense of out-of-state travel?

Here are 6 steps to accessing the Discussion forum:

That's all there is to it...it's quick, it's easy and - best of all - the National Committee members can produce meaningful models, revisions and products...but only if YOU get involved. So join us today!! Now listed for your comment are the planned revisions to the UVC, the AAMVA Model laws, and the areas listed above. GET WIRED TODAY!!!!!