[sac-board] Re: [sac-forum] Re: Re: Re: Club officers for next year

I must admit I didn't quite know what to make of the email when I got it
last night. While I, like other, Do not feel there is any malfeasant intent,
I did have some concerns as well. Like Jenn & Jeff have posted, I thought
folks could take this as something that has already been approved. While I
believe most of know better, an outside or relatively new member could
certainly interpret the email as a group with an agenda, good or bad. Again
I don't in anyway believe this to have any basis is reality, but it could
certainly be implied.

I believe Jeff hit the nail on the head. It was just a poor choice of
wording.   I agree with him on how this could have been handled. By asking
people to consider running for office, those interested could consider if
they want to run for office without wondering if their candidacy was futile.


On another point, let's remember that it would not be out of line for
members to discuss with each other the possibility of running for office
prior to nominations. I was in fact approached in September, the year I was
elected, and asked to consider running.  It just wasn't posted on such a
public forum until nominations came around.

With that being said, let me say that I hold the folks in high regard as
people and friends. I have every confidence, regardless of who succeeds the
current board, that the club will be in excellent hands. I have no
reservations about the long term viability of the club.  

Now that I've had my say, let's try and put this to bed. 

I'd like to ask any interested members to consider running for office for
2008. All positions are open. At this time the only board member eligible
for re-election is Jennifer Polakis as Secretary.  All other board members
have reached term limits. Feel free to ask a board member what is involved
in their position.  

Nominations will commence at the beginning of business at the October
meeting.
Nomination taken at the October meeting will be published in the newsletter
prior to the November meeting. Any further nominations will be heard at the
November meeting. An election, if necessary will be held at the close of
nominations.

Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
President, Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx 
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jeff Hopkins
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 14:25
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; sac-board@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-board] [sac-forum] Re: Re: Re: Club officers for next year

I side with Jennifer on this.

While I think I know Steve's intent (and think it was a good intent) 
I think the wording was poor. I think it would have been much better 
to post a request for people interested in filling positions and 
perhaps just not mention any names at this time. It's early and now 
is the time to ask the club for those who are interested, not give a 
list that gives the impression of a done deal. As we get closer to 
nomination time then listing who is interested in what positions 
would be fine.

Jeff

At 13:50 -0700 08/22/2007, AJ Crayon wrote:
>Jennifer, I don't think Steve was trying to change the nominating 
>process because of his use of the word willing.  The concept here is 
>that we would wait until it was time for the nominations, have out 
>names put in along with any others willing to run for office, let 
>the membership cast their vote and accept the results.
>
>One of the other reasons for the early post was to  attempt filling 
>the treasurer's position.
>
>I don't understand how, attempting to find a slate of officers is 
>bypassing the system, albeit it being early.
>
>In regards to Tom's and your concern about others running for office 
>I don't see how this is any different than waiting until nomination 
>night when those interested get put up for voting process.  Would 
>this process shut down the newer members intention of running?
>
>Also, I appreciate your compliments about intentions and appreciate 
>both of your concerns.
>
>Clear skies,
>aj
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Jennifer Polakis" <m24@xxxxxxx>
>To: <sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:33 PM
>Subject: [sac-board] Re: [sac-forum] Re: Club officers for next year
>
>AJ,
>There are no hard feelings.  And I feel you missed my point almost
entirely.
>
>Regardless of whether I run for a board position or not, Steve Coe's 
>attempt at changing the entire nomination process with one quick and 
>easy email is entirely inappropriate for many reasons and is _not_ 
>in the best interest of Saguaro Astronomy Club.
>
>And it's not that it "doesn't sit well with me", it's just plain 
>wrong to bypass a system and our Constitution that has been in place 
>and understood by the members of our club for the past 30 years on a 
>whim.  As a current board member and an active SAC member I feel a 
>sense of duty to bring this to light for the future health of our 
>club.
>
>Steve's post will also have the negative effect of other people who 
>may have been considering an office to just not bother because it 
>appears it is already a done deal.
>
>Additionally, to an outsider or a new member who doesn't know 
>Steve's intention, his email can very well be construed as an effort 
>to bring together a group of like-voting board members to promote 
>some personal agenda.  And NO, I do not feel that is his intention 
>or the intention of the rest the 2008 board members he has put 
>together--all of whom I consider capable for the respective 
>positions as they were assigned to them by Steve Coe.
>
>Jennifer Polakis
>Secretary
>
>  Jennifer, I'm sorry if Steve's post doesn't sit well with you.  Yes 
>it isn't something that has been done in the past, is quite 
>different and should indicate there are SAC members willing to 
>serve.  Often times, more often than not, it has been quite 
>difficult for the outgoing board to fill vacancies, which made me 
>feel satisfactory with the post.
>
>  As long as I've been president there has been only one time when 
>more than one person vied for an officers position.  We had a fun 
>time with it.
>
>  May I suggest you also run for vice president, enjoy the moment and 
>let SAC members decide.
>
>  Like you, I don't want to cause any hard feelings and hope we can 
>stay on that thread.
>
>  Clear skies and see you at the meeting,
>  aj
>
>  I find this new way of nominations a bit scary, kind of improper, 
>and a little bit offensive to officers who may be able to keep their 
>positions for another year.
>    I was planning to run for VP next year instead of staying on as 
>secretary for another term.
>
>    This "group ticket" approach two months before usual nominations 
>at the Oct. regular meeting is highly irregular and as a current 
>board member I would like to state that I neither condone nor 
>invited this email.
>
>    I apologize if this makes a rift and I know that it is often 
>difficult to fill the board positions but any changes to something 
>as important as nominating the board, should be approved by the 
>current board members and most probably the membership _before_ 
>being posted on these lists by a non-board member.
>
>    Sincerely,
>    Jennifer Polakis
>    Secretary
>
>     There is a group of club members who are willing to be officers 
>for next year:
>      Matt Luttinen        Pres.
>
>      Steve Coe            Vice Pres.
>
>      A.J. Crayon          Secretary
>
>      David Fredericksen    Properties Officer
>
>      We need a Treasurer, I know that there is someone able and 
>willing to do this job, please get with me at the meeting if you 
>would to handle the club finances next year.
>
>      Thanks;
>
>      Steve Coe

-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
Counting Photons
http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
7812 West Clayton Drive
Phoenix, Arizona 85033-2439 U.S.A.
(623)849-5889
(623) 247-1190 (Fax)
www.hposoft.com

Other related posts: