Clarification...
Yes, they do have an opportunity to participate. In the NEU, the business meeting agendas are publicized in the snail-mailed newsletter a certain amount of days in advance of the meeting. If members want to participate on a particular issue and can't attend the meeting, they write a letter which is included as part of the meeting discussion.
I think that is an acceptable way to participate in the discussion. I do have to ask if emails are accepted in the same manner are only letters allowed?
not really. the board itself, by definition, is exclusive already.
Exactly. The board is a small exclusive group. So whenever the board meets as a small exclusive group they are being exclusionary, excluding others. It's not a non-exclusionary meeting.
I think that is an acceptable way to participate in the discussion. I do have to ask if emails are accepted in the same manner are only letters allowed?
Jim
Any type of communication channel is acceptable. I have even taken dictation over the telephone and then brought the notes to the meeting for the person who couldn't attend.
Exactly. The board is a small exclusive group. So whenever the board meets as a small exclusive group they are being exclusionary, excluding others. It's not a non-exclusionary meeting.
That's the way the NEU constitution and by-laws are written.
I guess the only recourse is if you don't like it then make a motion to amend the by-laws and change it.
Oh wait, I just thought of another recourse...join the BOD!
Next year, we will need two trustees and a 2nd VP. Any interest?
Any type of communication channel is acceptable. I have even taken dictation over the telephone and then brought the notes to the meeting for the person who couldn't attend.
Exactly. The board is a small exclusive group. So whenever the board meets as a small exclusive group they are being exclusionary, excluding others. It's not a non-exclusionary meeting.
But that is already a fact, regardless of the way we communicate. here, there, or anywhere...doesn't change that at all.
1) Not all voting has to be done via face-to-face meetings. How voting is handled on issues is determined by the President -- it can be done via mailed ballot or by face-to-face meetings.
So, currently, internet voting is not even a choice? Doesn't sound like the private unit forum is such a threat then.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yukionna
2) Executive BOD meetings are just that -- meetings where certain club business is discussed/voted on only by BOD. Typically, those types of meetings consist of mundance business and don't cover earth-shattering issues such as the WBCCI name change.
Sounds like the kind of stuff that members wouldn't be upset to be left out of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yukionna
In cases where it is deemed that member input is needed, then it is opened up to member input via publication thru the Quipper and mail in ballot or business meeting voting.
And it should continue to be opened up to member input via publication in the Quipper and by balloting and at meetings, so that those who don't use the internet will have a chance to contribute.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yukionna
If this did happen, then the non-Internet folks would be excluded from giving their feedback before the decision was made and hence left out of the process.
Not necessarily. Just because they don't use the internet doesn't mean they don't have access (unless the board decides to keep non-board members out of the private forum). The private unit forum should be open to every member of the unit who wishes to access it. If they are not able to access the forum, then other avenues (newsletters, mail, phone, balloting) are still open to them. Decisions that require notification and an opportunity to provide input by all members should never be handled just through one medium that does not include all members. To those who cannot attend meetings, the forum will allow another avenue for open discussion of unit business.
Some see the glass half empty, some see the glass half full.
Not necessarily. Just because they don't use the internet doesn't mean they don't have access (unless the board decides to keep non-board members out of the private forum). The private unit forum should be open to every member of the unit who wishes to access it. If they are not able to access the forum, then other avenues (newsletters, mail, phone, balloting) are still open to them. Decisions that require notification and an opportunity to provide input by all members should never be handled just through one medium that does not include all members. To those who cannot attend meetings, the forum will allow another avenue for open discussion of unit business.
Some see the glass half empty, some see the glass half full.
I think we are saying the same thing. The internet forum will work as long as any discussions brought up on the forum for discussion/input for BOD decision making (on those issues the BOD chooses to make public) is also publicized thru snail mail for non-internet user discussion/input.
I don't understand what you are referencing with the "glass half empty..." quote. Please elaborate.
But that is already a fact, regardless of the way we communicate. here, there, or anywhere...doesn't change that at all.
I was just pointing out that the board is exclusionary, and that if you want use the private unit forum in a non-exclusionary way, then having it open to just a small exclusive subgroup of the unit (the BOD) is not being "non-exclusionary".
I'm not eligible. I'm not always available to attend the rally/meetings.
Why aren't you "eligible?" Did you not renew your membership this year with the NEU? If rally/meeting attendance is why you aren't eligible, we seriously need to look at how we do things in our Unit. I know I speak for many other members of our unit, but your voice is a welcome voice of initiative and change in our organization that we would not want to lose.
I think that is an acceptable way to participate in the discussion. I do have to ask if emails are accepted in the same manner are only letters allowed?
Jim
Letters, emails, phone calls etc. are all okay, but they're not the same thing as a forum discussion, or a face-to-face meeting discussion. I love it when I think I understand something and have my opinion straight in my mind, only to sit down with someone and talk it over, inside and out, and have my opinion completely reversed. This doesn't happen if I just right down my thoughts and mail them in.
Too funny -- are you the guy that disappeared right in the middle of the name change fracus? I thought you had dropped your membership...
Too funny... __
Yeah thats me. I kept the membership just in case the club changed directions but it seems to be slower than even I like to admit.
No disappearing act though. I still look every day and enjoy the entertainment. There is plenty of input from you and the newbies to keep this website busier than a one armed Airstream polisher.
By the way, did you ever get out to your first local rally?
I see that you did attend international as they say, horse back.
I guess thats a good start. By the way, congrats on achieving your objective, I truly admire it. No, really I do.....
It will be great when you and the "save wally gang" focus on new objectives. you guys know how to get it done. Good Job!
__________________ Ken Smillie
My 1994 36' Classic MH is for sale See it in the classifieds
Letters, emails, phone calls etc. are all okay, but they're not the same thing as a forum discussion, or a face-to-face meeting discussion. I love it when I think I understand something and have my opinion straight in my mind, only to sit down with someone and talk it over, inside and out, and have my opinion completely reversed. This doesn't happen if I just right down my thoughts and mail them in.
I agree wholeheartedly! Now if we can only "get to that point" in our structure where communication is easy and accommodating for everyone!
The NEU is one of (if not the) oldest Unit in WBCCI. With regards to changing in an expeditious fashion, a good analogy is of IBM vs. a start up company. If a start-up company wants to initiate the same change that IBM wants to initiate, it will take IBM longer to make the change than it would the start-up company. The NEU is like IBM in that regards. I'm not saying we can't or won't change...but I am saying it takes time to change. It takes time to read/understand the by-laws. It takes time to write up the proposed amended by-laws. It takes time to discuss with members and get feedback and understanding. Once approved, it takes time to implement the change. But, most importantly, it takes people to take the initiative to take the first step in initiating the change and then following through to drive the change to completion.
Come on Jamie, you know deep down you want to be a trustee!
Quick Links
__
Linear Mode
