[ SHOWGSD-L ] Ballots, Ted Kennedy and Rescue
- From: Kmgraphic2@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 21:09:26 EDT
I got my GSDCA ballot today; it made me think of something said during Ted
Kennedyâ??s memorial service. One of the Priests made reference to those
who, once having competed, were able to turn the competition into cooperation
and work together for the betterment of the group as a whole. When I heard
that, I thought of my rescue, Lilly; she is the first rescue I have kept
of the 100 plus GSD fosters I have taken in over the years. My having found
Lilly, less than 24 hours before euthanization at a southern Illinois kill
shelter, was the result of exactly the kind of cooperation to which the
Priest referred. All rescues compete for the few disposable dollars left out
there in the economy but we are all there to help each other when there is
an animal in need.
Cooperation and communication are the keys to any groupâ??s ability to
function smoothly and make progress. THAT thought brought me back to my
ballot.
I saw a list of names. Each person behind each name obviously and, for
reasons only they truly know, has a desire to help govern the GSDCA .
Elections are a wonderful part of the democratic process but what about AFTER
the election? I think we all want leadership that is â??qualifiedâ?? in their
knowledge and love of the German Shepherd Dog and expect nothing less. But
what about the daily grind of being an Officer or Director? Do we want
individuals governing our organization who may be bullied or threatened,
(whether real or perceived), into voting a certain way on matters such as the
puppy transporterâ??s membership debacle a few years ago? Or do we want those
who will vote the way the membership EXPECTS them to vote as their
representatives, to do what is best for the Club and the Membership and remain
true
to and have the courage of their convictions, no matter what the threat(s)?
There are 2 individuals running for election who were among the 8 that
DID vote NO on that infamous membership application. I believe that they
deserve our support as much as I believe that the YES voters who are running
do not. Itâ??s a matter of, as Ralph Roberts loves to say, â??Records live,
opinions die.â??
Back to the â??communicationâ?? issue, something that has been a bone of
contention within the GSDCA membership for quite some time. The question I
have to ask myself is HOW do I want to communicate with someone who, in theory,
represents me in an organization? The obvious answer is openly, factually
and with mutual respect and acceptance of disagreements. We certainly do
NOT need anyone on the Board, in any capacity, whose answer to an opposing
viewpoint is to publicly spew vitriolic ever-so-present innuendo and
unfounded accusations at the individual(s) who might disagree with their
position.
Board members need to listen to the membership and be willing to discuss
issues in a calm, not hostile, manner. They also need to protect the
cohesiveness of both the GSDCA and its mission and never act in a way that is
divisive or contradictory to those theories upon which the GSDCA was founded.
The very idea that ANY of 17 individuals who sought to divide the GSDCA,
in whatever manner they could and under the guise of selflessness, seek
office disturbs me no end, especially since there obviously has been no change
in the(ir) continuing desire to disrupt debate and convolute issues. That
does not bode well for an organization whose members are clamoring for
better communication with their Board.
We have choices to make; I really hope we make them well.
Diane, who doesnâ??t, (as someone has suggested), â??thriveâ?? on controversy
but, rather, on full disclosure and civilized debate
Diane Silver-Strasser
Silstra German Shepherds
_http://skatiebugz.blogspot.com_ (http://skatiebugz.blogspot.com/)
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