[sac-board] Re: SAC Constitution

Here is my two cents worth (well, ok, maybe 50 cents worth), as the
co-founder of SAC and a Charter Member, 1977 to present.

Some of the others (replying to these posts) I think have answered
questions about the Newsletter Editor and other non-elected positions
pretty thoroughly, and to my satisfaction.  The situation is working
well, is stable, and needs no improvement or changes at this time
(IMHO).
   
The Two Years rule is, in my humble opinion, the BEST THING the club
ever adopted.  It FORCES new blood to take over the reins every so
often.  IMHO, the MAIN reason SAC was formed, and become highly
successful, is this single provision in our Constitution and Bylaws. 
The situation that forced this and the formation of SAC in the first
instance was an unfortunate situation in which certain personalities had
taken over the other main club in town, and refused to even consider ANY
changes or progressive ideas.  IMHO, that situation could re-occur at
any time if we don't force a change in officers every so often.  Once
somebody gets into office, they can and likely will rapidly adopt the
idea that since nobody else is volunteering, then THEIR ideas are the
only ones that need any consideration.  After 26 years of success at
what we do, SAC members emphatically do not want that!

Without this rule, we would probably only meet 8 or 9 months out of the
year, have no star parties, and no newsletter (as it was before SAC). 
Thankfully, EVAC has also adopted similar rules and has prospered for
over 10 years now (240 members this year!)

I do not believe we need any major changes in our present constitution
and bylaws, even though they may seem to be a little archaic.  Several
small changes have been put into effect over the years, including some
minor cleanups of inconsistencies just last year.

I actually served as the first Membership Director (way back in the late
70's or early 80's) -- but after a few years, the position was
subsequently dropped for lack of activity (meaning nobody wanted to
volunteer for the position).  We seem to have plenty of new members each
year, without the need for a special officer position. 

SAC has thrived by doing what it does best -- holding several monthly
activities, publishing an active and interesting newsletter, organizing
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL star parties, maintaining an active and interesting
web page, sponsoring occasional field trips, fostering several
successful long-time observing award programs and observing reference
publications, sponsoring several sub-group activities, AND creating an
outstanding organizational identity with hats, shirts, name tags, etc.
in which individuals can participate with pride.  

"I'm a SAC member!!" -- elicits interest no matter where I go when I
meet other amateur astronomers.

Most importantly, we have succeeded and thrived in providing
opportunities for fellowship amongst like-minded individuals and a free
and open atmosphere in which many (and nearly all) widely diverse
opinions on a variety of subjects are encouraged.  We achieve this by
concentrating on what is FUN and FAIR, and POSITIVE, not on criticism
and nit-picking.  We have had our spats and disagreements now and then,
but have managed to move on. We have an internationally respected and
famous organization, despite NOT buying or owing any property, having a
"legal" entity, or trying to do fund raising.

I would suggest that if those activities become of major importance,
than an individual or two could set up a private foundation, buy some
property and build an observatory, and then let the club members use it
without charge!  Who's up for that??

Of course, I would also agree that any dues-paying SAC member may bring
up POSITIVE suggestions, first to the Board, and then to the membership.

Get involved (as a club officer or just a committee volunteer) -- it's
lots of fun!

Sorry to run on at length.

Gene Lucas
Co-founder of SAC (1977)
Charter Member, 1977 to present
1st Secretary-Treasurer
Co-Editor of original Constitution and Bylaws
Newsletter Editor
Membership Director
Properties Director (several times as I remember)
Vice President
(Sorry, I forget the specific years just now)


Jeff Hopkins wrote:
> 
> >On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 14:26:23 -0700, Jeff Hopkins wrote:
> >
> >  > The board might want to consider modifying the Constitution to create
> >>  Board member positions for the Newsletter and Membership as these are
> >>  two very important positions that certainly deserve board member
> >>  status. Both the Secretary and Treasurer have definite
> >>  responsibilities beyond handling the Newsletter and membership issues.
> >>
> >>  The Newsletter and Web site should distinguish between Board Members
> >>  and Committee Chairmen.
> 
> Paul Dickson responded:
> 
> >The board may delegate its duties to appointed individuals or standing
> >committees.  The newsletter has been delegated to the appointed newsletter
> >editor, which is the chair of the newsletter committee. SAC has five of
> >these appointed positions currently (Newsletter, Web Site, ATM, Public
> >Events, and Deep-Sky Group).
> >
> >The appointed positions are non-voting people at board meetings, but they
> >do have to show up at board meetings to report.  Plus is it brings a few
> >extra bodies to board meetings so board board can make decisions in less
> >of a vacuum.  Board meetings are open to club members, it's just that most
> >people don't seem to be interested in the running of the club.
> 
> I understand. Still the Newsletter and SAC Web site do not seem to
> distinguish between board members and committee chairmen.
> 
> >  > Where/when is the Properties report? What does the club have? What
> >>  equipment, books, etc. and how do members access them?
> >
> >You can access them by asking.  Are you volunteering to keep track of the
> >club's library, bring these books to each meeting?
> 
> How does one know what to ask for? Where is the list of items? What
> are the rules?
> 
> Why would one bring all the items to meetings? It would seem more
> logical to setup a means of either picking items up or bringing
> specific items to a meeting for a person or persons. Bring a list of
> the items and what is available and when to the meetings.
> 
> >SAC is a volunteer organization.  If a job takes too much time its likely
> >not to get done.  Unless you've done the work, be VERY careful about
> >criticizing the effort that currently gets done.  For example:  Gene Lucas
> >and I are about the only people still in the club who can really get away
> >with any criticizing of Rick's work on the newsletter, and then I only do
> >it when it will improve the newsletter.
> 
> I apologize for appearing to criticize. What I am trying to do is to
> make constructive suggestions or to ask questions.
> 
> >Board positions are term limited to 2-years.  This is the basis of the
> >founding of SAC, so changing that is a pretty fundamental change.  The
> >standing committees provide the continuity needed by the club.  If the
> >newsletter editor became a board member, then that work-heavy position
> >would be harder to fill with a qualified person.
> 
> That is another good reason to consider changing the Constitution and
> By-Laws. Why limit terms to 2 years? If someone is doing a good job
> and people want to re-elect him/her, why the limit. As you say,
> finding good volunteers is hard.
> 
> There also should be a Membership Officer. Membership is a MAJOR
> function in any organization. As it it, there is essentially no
> membership interaction (just collect the dues). When I joined, I
> didn't even get a receipt let a lone any kind of acknowledgement or
> information about the club and my membership.
> 
> The Constitution should also be amended to include information about
> the club web site and email lists. These are MAJOR items for the club
> and fairly new.
> 
> >If you really want to add positions to the board, I'd suggest adding a
> >Member-at-Large position, perhaps 1 for each group of 50 club members,
> >decided when nominations open.  Is there any interest in this?
> >
> >       -Paul
> 
> Jeff
> --
>                                            Jeff Hopkins
>                                             HPO SOFT
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