California Festival of Speed

[Kim Crosser]

At the risk of pouring more gas on the flames -

MikeD said

apparently the Board doesn't trust US, the membership

Mike - I think the posts on this forum really reflect that some of the posters don't trust the Board to make decisions.

The Board is elected by popular vote, and by election, is trusted to make decisions for the rest of us. If you are unhappy with their decisions, then vote for others. We don't elect them so that they can just pass all decisions back to the members for decisions.

From the postings, I think the Board evaluated the options and make a rational decision in a timely manner. It sure doesn't sound like the Board had a few months available to spread the word, canvass the membership, and determine this by popular vote.

Second-guessing Board decisions is way too popular a pastime - they are volunteers, trying to do the best they can to run SDR in a manner that provides the most fun for the most people.

If you are unhappy with Board decisions, then you need to decide where your priorities are - if attending Board meetings is a lower priority than other events, fine - but complaining about outcomes should then be a lower priority as well.

Bottom line - if you are unhappy with the way the Board is running the club, attend the meetings (which are completely open) AND/OR run for a Board position yourself.

[David J Marguglio]

I think the posts on this forum really reflect that some of the posters don't trust the Board to make decisions.

If you are unhappy with their decisions, then vote for others. We don't elect them so that they can just pass all decisions back to the members for decisions.

Kim:

I think you are way off-base here. I dont see any posts on this thread suggesting that the board was not trusted to make decisions nor do I see anyone suggesting that all decisions should be put to the members.

Instead, what I, and I believe Mike, (but I dont want to put words in his mouth) were trying to say was that we would like to be better informed. As Mike pointed out, perhaps there should have been an immediate post requesting emergency help from the membership. Maybe people would have stepped up to the plate; maybe not.

Now, after my last post, I had a long chat with Dan about this matter. After that conversation, I believe that the board made the absolute correct decision. I have no beef with the board over this or any other decision they have made. My complaint then, and I restate it now, is that there could be better feedback between the board and the masses. When there is not, the masses tend to speculate (that's what we do) and no good can come of that.

Come on folks, if someone already takes the time to type up the minutes from the meetings, it only takes another 30 seconds to post them to the forum. That would give membership at least three levels of involvement in what goes on with the board:

Level One: "Real Time" - attend the meetings and find out first hand.

Level Two: "48-hour delay" - tune in to the forum a few days after the meeting to find out what transpired.

Level Three: "Old News Baby" read the Witness and find out what happened three meetings ago.

Once again, I dont think anyone is crying Enron here; (as Jad suggested) I think that we would just appreciate being better informed. Perhaps the board can make a request through the aforementioned levels of communication for a volunteer for the newly formed position of Forum Liaison? Combine that with the additional step of posting the minutes to the forum as soon as is reasonable and I think we can keep the membership more involved in the club.

[Dan Chambers]

David:

Excellent point regarding our conversation, the interest in having a Forum Liason, and possibly having the Secretary post the meeting minutes.

So, to be clear about this process:

- You took the responsibility to review and make comments on the forum.
- You took the responsibility of picking up the phone and asking me for more information. (The result of which was a very positive conversation, mutual support of each others ideas and understandings, and a feeling, at least for me, that we accomplished something positive.)
- You took the responsibility of discovering a possible solution by means of developing an idea of a Forum Liason and the idea of publishing of the minutes on the forum.
- You took the responsibility of keeping up on this topic.

Excellent. By taking personal responsibility, you've accomplished what you wanted in being more informed. Thanks for your efforts, and taking on that responsibility.

Now, to the other folks out there, do you think this might be what I was talking about when I said:

"We all need to take the responsibility on ourselves to stay informed."

Let's all think a bout that........

[Carl Scragg]

I think that David makes an excellent suggestion. Although perhaps posting the board minutes within 48 hours might be difficult (the board has to review/correct the minutes prepared by the Club Secretary), but within a week seems quite reasonable. We could also post the agenda before each board meeting to alert members of issues scheduled for discussion (or not scheduled!). Such posts on the forum might serve to get more people involved in the decision-making process.

On the other hand, with the next meeting scheduled for our house, I'm not sure that my wife will appreciated increased involvement right now.

[MikeD]

No Dave, not putting words in my mouth. You got it right on every point.

Well Dan, if you really think talking to every single member on the phone is the best use of your time. Then so be it. I tried to help you understand that there is a better way.

Carl, excellent ideas!

[Dan Chambers]

Well Dan, if you really think talking to every single member on the phone is the best use of your time. Then so be it. I tried to help you understand that there is a better way.

Gee, thanks, Mike. I really appreciate your concern for my time. I understand every single point you've made. And, don't worry, I have unlimited minutes on my cell plan

See you down the road.

[David J Marguglio]

You know, when I started this thread (more or less) I hardly expected to be LOL by the end. Anyway, I think Carl has an excellent point about posting agenda in advance, perhaps that would even get me to a meeting (especially if it would be an inconvenience to Carl).

Dan: I think we have it nearly sorted out now; we just need a sucker...err...I mean volunteer. That will be a paid position, right?
How much does a board member make anyway?

[Dan Chambers]

How much does a board member make anyway?

All the "crow" he/she can choke down! Just kidding.

Yes, I think we've come a long way to a really good solution, thanks to you, and Carl. I think posting the agendas before the meetings, and the approved/reviewed minutes after the meetings will really help start the process. (Golly, now I can change my cell phone plan )

Thanks for "stepping up to the plate", David and Carl.

[kary]

David:

Now, to the other folks out there, do you think this might be what I was talking about when I said:

"We all need to take the responsibility on ourselves to stay informed."

Let's all think a bout that........

Actually, Dan I find your statement above rather condescending since there are many folks out there that have not weighed in on this topic and after reading this thread there are folks that have good points that you have missed. Maybe you need to be a bit more responsible yourself. NLOL