The Haida Gwaii Teachers' Association has organized a series of all-candidates meetings to be held in almost every community on the islands during the first week of November, in preparation for the Nov. 19 local government elections.The forums will give candidates for village councils, the regional district and the school board a chance to explain why they're running for office, and will give members of the public the opportunity to ask questions.The all-candidates meetings start off in Old Massett on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with trustee candidates Warren Wesley and Cynthia Samuels speaking in the library at Chief Matthews school, starting at 7 pm.On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the seven people running for positions on Queen Charlotte village council - Evelyn von Almassy, Ellen Cranston, Greg Martin, Leslie Johnson, Kim Claggett, Kris Olsen and James Reid - will be at the community hall.On Thursday, Nov. 3, Sandspit residents will get the chance to meet their new school trustee, Carla Lutner, who has been acclaimed. The meeting takes place between 7:15 pm and 8:30 pm at the A.L. Mathers school library.On Monday, Nov. 7, the candidates running for positions on Masset village council will be speaking at the community hall, starting at 7 pm. The candidates for council are Karen Church, Lisa Edwards, Ian Edwards, Natanis Hageman, Bret Johnston, Jason Thompson and Barry Pages.Also on Monday, Nov. 7, Skidegate voters can hear from the two people running for school trustee, Wayne Wilson and Kim Goetzinger. The candidates will be at the small hall starting at 7:30 pm.On Tuesday, Nov. 8, there will be a combined all-candidates meeting for those running for mayor and council in Port Clements, and the two people running to be the Area D (rural Graham Island) regional district director. The meeting will be held at the community hall starting at 7 pm. Mayor candidates are Wally Cheer and Judy Hadley; councillor candidates are Kaz Falconbridge, Matt Gaspar, Ian Gould, Betty Stewart and Urs Thomas; and Area D candidates are Ian Hetman and Michael Racz.Advance polls for the local government elections will be held Nov. 9 in all communities. Regular voting day is Nov. 19.