Discussion: NEOC Board Elections
in: Orienteering; General
Jun 10, 2010 4:41 PM
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Please consider the following, particularly if you are NEOC member:
http://attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_3737/perio...
http://attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_3737/perio...
Jun 10, 2010 5:24 PM
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barb:
Thanks, Ian!
I am not sure what the election process will be on Sunday, but I have a few things to say.
First of all, I ask NEOC members who will not be at the AGM this weekend to fill out their proxy and consider signing it over to me. (Evil laughter...) Or to whomever you think can best represent your vote and your interests.
Whatever you do, I ask NEOC members *not* to fill out the written ballot form in such a way that you approve the "slate" proposed by the NEOC Nominating Committee. The offered slate (which seems to suggest an uncontested election) does not include the two candidates who are, in my opinion, the strongest (Sam & Ian). Thus a vote for the "slate" is a vote against these folks.
I believe that the NEOC election process is flawed. Candidates who put themselves forward, and provided to NEOC a bio and description of their goals in running for the Board, were not even mentioned in the notice to NEOC members. The notice went out very late, just days before the AGM. I'm assuming that each voter gets to vote for 5 candidates (as is implied by being able to vote for this "slate"), but I'm not sure how that is going to work on Sunday. Finally, I'm disturbed about the fact that NEOC doesn't publicize the identity of the NEOC Nominating Committee who made the decision to only put forward five of the candidates.
At any rate, please, if you are a NEOC member, VOTE in this election, either at the AGM on Sunday, or by giving your proxy to a trusted fellow NEOC member to vote for you.
If you do give me your proxy, here is what I will do with it: I very strongly endorse Ian Smith and Samantha Saeger for NEOC Board. My top goal would be to have them elected, as 2 of the 5 open Board slots. (I am also running for a Board position, but I am hoping to be elected only if Sam and Ian are, because I have some projects in mind that I would like to work together with them on.)
Here is why I endorse Sam & Ian:
Ian, because he has some very specific projects he is proposing to take on at NEOC, and I think they are excellent ones. You can read about that at his AP log. He showed initiative in coming to the recent NEOC Board meeting, and volunteering to take on some action items there. I saw his energy and willingness to support US Juniors at the recent junior O training camp. I think we need more young people like Ian on the Board.
Sam, because she has shown proven leadership in her participation on the Board. I saw this in action at the last Board meeting -- she has the ability to move Board conversations forward productively, in her gentle way. Plus, I'm just so proud to have her (elite orienteer that she is) in NEOC, and grateful that she is willing to participate in local club governance.
I am not sure what the election process will be on Sunday, but I have a few things to say.
First of all, I ask NEOC members who will not be at the AGM this weekend to fill out their proxy and consider signing it over to me. (Evil laughter...) Or to whomever you think can best represent your vote and your interests.
Whatever you do, I ask NEOC members *not* to fill out the written ballot form in such a way that you approve the "slate" proposed by the NEOC Nominating Committee. The offered slate (which seems to suggest an uncontested election) does not include the two candidates who are, in my opinion, the strongest (Sam & Ian). Thus a vote for the "slate" is a vote against these folks.
I believe that the NEOC election process is flawed. Candidates who put themselves forward, and provided to NEOC a bio and description of their goals in running for the Board, were not even mentioned in the notice to NEOC members. The notice went out very late, just days before the AGM. I'm assuming that each voter gets to vote for 5 candidates (as is implied by being able to vote for this "slate"), but I'm not sure how that is going to work on Sunday. Finally, I'm disturbed about the fact that NEOC doesn't publicize the identity of the NEOC Nominating Committee who made the decision to only put forward five of the candidates.
At any rate, please, if you are a NEOC member, VOTE in this election, either at the AGM on Sunday, or by giving your proxy to a trusted fellow NEOC member to vote for you.
If you do give me your proxy, here is what I will do with it: I very strongly endorse Ian Smith and Samantha Saeger for NEOC Board. My top goal would be to have them elected, as 2 of the 5 open Board slots. (I am also running for a Board position, but I am hoping to be elected only if Sam and Ian are, because I have some projects in mind that I would like to work together with them on.)
Here is why I endorse Sam & Ian:
Ian, because he has some very specific projects he is proposing to take on at NEOC, and I think they are excellent ones. You can read about that at his AP log. He showed initiative in coming to the recent NEOC Board meeting, and volunteering to take on some action items there. I saw his energy and willingness to support US Juniors at the recent junior O training camp. I think we need more young people like Ian on the Board.
Sam, because she has shown proven leadership in her participation on the Board. I saw this in action at the last Board meeting -- she has the ability to move Board conversations forward productively, in her gentle way. Plus, I'm just so proud to have her (elite orienteer that she is) in NEOC, and grateful that she is willing to participate in local club governance.
Jun 10, 2010 6:14 PM
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Wow, with such a huge gaffe in the process, I would be tempted to consider any election results "null and void".
Jun 10, 2010 6:29 PM
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I will add that the process that is being followed is what MUST be done for a corporation, which NEOC is.
Noting that, there is obviously an agenda by the nominating committee (whose names have not been made public, nor the process for appointing them) to get Samantha off the BOD and to keep Ian Smith from ever getting on. It is no secret that all of these have had disagreements with the outgoing president.
Unfortunately, from what I can deduce, the process is one in which the BOD of corporations selects their own successors.
The way to get candidates other than those on the "slate" into the candidate list is to nominate from the floor and then have them voted into the BOD by members vote, perhaps by nominating an alternative slate.
Nevertheless, most club members will NOT be at the meeting, so that Proxy votes can make a big difference. Proxy means, of course, not that you are writing in a vote, but that you are giving permission for some one else to vote in your place.
The reasons many of us want Ian and Samantha on the BOD are known to us all, and nicely re iterated by Barb above.
I only which to apologize to Jim Crawford and Andy McIlvaine for being dragged into this struggle.
It sounds to me that many of us are willing to go against the nominating committee on this, so I will propose the slate of Dan Westerberg, Samantha Saeger , Peter Frykman (incumbants),Barb Bryant and Ian Smith. Send me your proxy, contact anyone and everyone you know in NEOC and have them send Barb or I their proxy and we will vote for change in NEOC!
I am really proud of Samantha of course, but also Barb, Ian for stepping into a controversial arena.
Proxy below, copy and email to Barb or I:
2010 NEOC Annual Meeting Voting Proxy
_____ I/we, being unable to attend the 2010 Members Meeting and Election, hereby authorize _________________________________, an individual who is eligible to vote, to cast my/our vote at the election.
_____ I/we authorize my/our proxy to vote as he/she sees fit.
_____ I/we authorize my/our proxy to vote for the slate of candidates as presented.
Name______________________ Signature______________________
Name______________________ Signature______________________
Want to join the fun? Join NOW.
http://www.newenglandorienteering.org/about-neoc/j...
Email me to make arrangements if you can not attend the meeting.
Noting that, there is obviously an agenda by the nominating committee (whose names have not been made public, nor the process for appointing them) to get Samantha off the BOD and to keep Ian Smith from ever getting on. It is no secret that all of these have had disagreements with the outgoing president.
Unfortunately, from what I can deduce, the process is one in which the BOD of corporations selects their own successors.
The way to get candidates other than those on the "slate" into the candidate list is to nominate from the floor and then have them voted into the BOD by members vote, perhaps by nominating an alternative slate.
Nevertheless, most club members will NOT be at the meeting, so that Proxy votes can make a big difference. Proxy means, of course, not that you are writing in a vote, but that you are giving permission for some one else to vote in your place.
The reasons many of us want Ian and Samantha on the BOD are known to us all, and nicely re iterated by Barb above.
I only which to apologize to Jim Crawford and Andy McIlvaine for being dragged into this struggle.
It sounds to me that many of us are willing to go against the nominating committee on this, so I will propose the slate of Dan Westerberg, Samantha Saeger , Peter Frykman (incumbants),Barb Bryant and Ian Smith. Send me your proxy, contact anyone and everyone you know in NEOC and have them send Barb or I their proxy and we will vote for change in NEOC!
I am really proud of Samantha of course, but also Barb, Ian for stepping into a controversial arena.
Proxy below, copy and email to Barb or I:
2010 NEOC Annual Meeting Voting Proxy
_____ I/we, being unable to attend the 2010 Members Meeting and Election, hereby authorize _________________________________, an individual who is eligible to vote, to cast my/our vote at the election.
_____ I/we authorize my/our proxy to vote as he/she sees fit.
_____ I/we authorize my/our proxy to vote for the slate of candidates as presented.
Name______________________ Signature______________________
Name______________________ Signature______________________
Want to join the fun? Join NOW.
http://www.newenglandorienteering.org/about-neoc/j...
Email me to make arrangements if you can not attend the meeting.
Jun 10, 2010 8:46 PM
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This seems like a worthwhile cause. Can, gasp, Canadians, join the club? I'm still not sure if I'd actually follow through even if I could. I've been offered significant bribes to join CSU instead :P
Jun 10, 2010 9:24 PM
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PG:
So has anyone found out yet what's really going on in the inner circles of NEOC?
Someone decided to dump Sam, an existing board member and an excellent one. Someone decided to ignore Ian. Perhaps Jim and Andy got recruited. Or perhaps they also independently expressed interest just like Ian.
What gives?
In the absence of any information, it is hard not to imagine the worst about the current powers that be in the club, that they are either not good at people issues, or just devious.
Usually when you have willing and able volunteers, you grab them, fast as you can. This seems absurd.
What gives?
Someone decided to dump Sam, an existing board member and an excellent one. Someone decided to ignore Ian. Perhaps Jim and Andy got recruited. Or perhaps they also independently expressed interest just like Ian.
What gives?
In the absence of any information, it is hard not to imagine the worst about the current powers that be in the club, that they are either not good at people issues, or just devious.
Usually when you have willing and able volunteers, you grab them, fast as you can. This seems absurd.
What gives?
Jun 10, 2010 9:30 PM
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Usually when you have willing and able volunteers, you grab them, fast as you can. This seems absurd.
Or they get fed up, jump ship and move on to more pro-active clubs....
Or they get fed up, jump ship and move on to more pro-active clubs....
Jun 10, 2010 9:40 PM
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What gives? I don't know, but this sort of thing played out a long time ago. The days of Petronius Maximus and the latter days of NEOC may be comparably vitiated.
Jun 10, 2010 10:28 PM
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The essence of my problem with the situation is the lack of transparency to the members of the club. It may be that this is how the bylaws dictate contested NEOC elections should be run, but this isn't apparent. I would like the following information prominently available (on the website):
- The bylaws. This is fairly obvious, as the actions of the board must be consistent with the bylaws.
- The members of the selection committee, how they are chosen, and what criteria they use to select candidates.
- A complete description of the election process.
I attended the NEOC Board meeting at the end of May at which elections were discussed. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention, but my impression was that ALL candidates would be presented to the membership of NEOC and they would then be chosen by general election. The official correspondence to the club did not even mention that there were other candidates who were eliminated by an entirely opaque selection process. It is a particular outrage that Sam, who is currently a member of the Board, was not submitted for consideration.
I expect answers before the AGM.
- The bylaws. This is fairly obvious, as the actions of the board must be consistent with the bylaws.
- The members of the selection committee, how they are chosen, and what criteria they use to select candidates.
- A complete description of the election process.
I attended the NEOC Board meeting at the end of May at which elections were discussed. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention, but my impression was that ALL candidates would be presented to the membership of NEOC and they would then be chosen by general election. The official correspondence to the club did not even mention that there were other candidates who were eliminated by an entirely opaque selection process. It is a particular outrage that Sam, who is currently a member of the Board, was not submitted for consideration.
I expect answers before the AGM.
Jun 10, 2010 11:06 PM
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barb:
(@NEOC members: By the way, an update on the proxy thing: If you give me your proxy and tell me how you want to vote, I will vote that way for you. I.e., I will vote for you for the candidates you want, not the ones I want.... Unless you tell me to vote for you however I see fit. In which case what I wrote above holds....)
Jun 10, 2010 11:11 PM
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barb:
I received the bylaws by email recently, and I repost them here.
Number and Election. The Board of Directors of the Club (the “Board”) shall, at its annual meeting, fix the number of directors. The Members shall elect the number of directors so fixed. At any special or regular meeting, the Members or Board (by a majority vote of the directors then in office) may increase the number of directors and elect new directors to complete the number so fixed, or they ay decrease the number of directors. A director may but need not be a Member.
Number and Election. The Board of Directors of the Club (the “Board”) shall, at its annual meeting, fix the number of directors. The Members shall elect the number of directors so fixed. At any special or regular meeting, the Members or Board (by a majority vote of the directors then in office) may increase the number of directors and elect new directors to complete the number so fixed, or they ay decrease the number of directors. A director may but need not be a Member.
Jun 10, 2010 11:51 PM
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I fail to see how it is within the power and authority of the Board to in any way constrain the set of candidates for election as per the bylaws.
Jun 10, 2010 11:53 PM
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Quite an outrage!
I did a quick check of Mass. general laws and it appears these are the most relevant:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-180-toc.htm
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-156b-toc.htm
Chapter 180 Section 6A:
"Except as otherwise expressly provided, a corporation may by its by-laws determine the manner of calling and conducting its meetings; the number of members which shall constitute a quorum; the mode of voting by proxy; and the tenure of office of the directors and officers and the manner of their selection and removal....Unless the corporation’s articles of organization or by-laws otherwise provide, a member may vote in person or by proxy..."
The corporation must follow its bylaws and articles of incorporation but it has great leeway in designing them.
Getting a copy of them seems like the next step. It appears NEOC is required to provide them to you but you may need to put your request in writing if they refuse your verbal and/or email request.
Unfortunately, the State does not have this information online since NEOC was formed prior to the start of digital records but the State's website may have some useful filing and index reference numbers if NEOC is uncooperative and you want to try to obtain the documents from the state:
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSe...
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSe...
Good Luck!
Update: Looks like the bylaws were posted as I was researching so this is old news already.
I did a quick check of Mass. general laws and it appears these are the most relevant:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-180-toc.htm
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-156b-toc.htm
Chapter 180 Section 6A:
"Except as otherwise expressly provided, a corporation may by its by-laws determine the manner of calling and conducting its meetings; the number of members which shall constitute a quorum; the mode of voting by proxy; and the tenure of office of the directors and officers and the manner of their selection and removal....Unless the corporation’s articles of organization or by-laws otherwise provide, a member may vote in person or by proxy..."
The corporation must follow its bylaws and articles of incorporation but it has great leeway in designing them.
Getting a copy of them seems like the next step. It appears NEOC is required to provide them to you but you may need to put your request in writing if they refuse your verbal and/or email request.
Unfortunately, the State does not have this information online since NEOC was formed prior to the start of digital records but the State's website may have some useful filing and index reference numbers if NEOC is uncooperative and you want to try to obtain the documents from the state:
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSe...
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSe...
Good Luck!
Update: Looks like the bylaws were posted as I was researching so this is old news already.
Jun 11, 2010 12:25 AM
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I will be both at the WCOC meeting at Ratlum Mtn. Saturday and the NEOC meeting Sunday and would be happy to carry signed proxies to the meeting from NEOC members. (I will bring some paper forms.) I plan to support the slate recommended by Jeff above.
Jun 11, 2010 1:35 AM
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Thanks for the input, sammy; it will be very helpful holding the board to account.
Jun 11, 2010 3:52 AM
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Will my proxy vote be accepted if I submit it on the back of a pirated print-out of Blue Hills East?
Jun 11, 2010 7:02 AM
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Oh come on, be reasonable. There has been a protracted campaign here against the direction of the club, including by one BOD member (aka the SS). The SS is attempting to get her faction elected to a majority position on the board. That the current board tries to defend itself and the continuation of its ethos is totally within its rights.
On the other hand, should Sam not have been involved in the selection of the nomination committee? Dereliction of duty... ;p
On the other hand, should Sam not have been involved in the selection of the nomination committee? Dereliction of duty... ;p
Jun 11, 2010 10:27 AM
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It's true. The nominating committee can present the slate of people they wish to see on the board. I was just surprised that I wasn't informed that I wasn't going to be on the slate and there was no mention that there were other interested candidates.
Jun 11, 2010 11:02 AM
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Wow... a surplus of aspiring Board members! How did your club manage this? Normal fare in these woods is vacant positions awaiting interested applicants.
Jun 11, 2010 11:45 AM
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How did your club manage this?
Objectionable behavior by the current administration followed by some active recruiting by a couple of people looking to change things. (I believe -- although I live in the area, I'm not a member of NEOC.)
Objectionable behavior by the current administration followed by some active recruiting by a couple of people looking to change things. (I believe -- although I live in the area, I'm not a member of NEOC.)
Jun 11, 2010 2:47 PM
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JJ We welcome you back. Join today.
Jeff, We welcome Canadians, and we have much more money in the bank than CSU.
Jeff, We welcome Canadians, and we have much more money in the bank than CSU.
Jun 11, 2010 5:00 PM
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BP:
Just for the record they've also accepted Aussies :-)
ps I plan to be there to vote for transparency and inclusiveness.
ps I plan to be there to vote for transparency and inclusiveness.
Jun 11, 2010 6:21 PM
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Yes but Aussies that are living in Australia, or Aussies that have moved to New England? I'm still living in Ottawa, On, and have no plans to move to New England.
Jun 11, 2010 6:31 PM
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walk:
For an honorable cause, I know an Aussie that might consider joining. Would be worth a couple votes;-} Talk sweetly.
Jun 11, 2010 7:58 PM
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Just to remind people, USOF has a general election coming up later this month. There is a completely transparent election process, and it is not too late to throw your hat into the ring. Wow!! A surplus of candidates!! USOF needs you!
Jun 11, 2010 9:31 PM
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I still think it would be a lot of fun to find out and reveal who was on the secretive/furtive nominating committee! It would be also fun if you could reveal whether or not they rubbed their hands with glee while they went about their various manipulations.
Jun 11, 2010 9:32 PM
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A few random strategy ideas:
1)The bylaws posted here seem to be in draft form including some comments. You probably need to ensure that this draft = current bylaws.
2) If this hasn't been posted to Clubnet it might be worth posting there. The more people aware of this, the more support you may get, not everyone is on AP.
3) Does anyone know if the official slate of candidates is aware of this situation? Some may have been asked to serve w/o being told there were other new and incumbent candidates. If I was asked to serve on a BOD and then found out about this charade, I would withdraw my name or, if elected, resign. Might be worth determining if they are witting accomplices or have they been duped.
4) The bylaws do not explicitly provide for a Nominating Committee but Section 5.4 provides that"The Board may elect or appoint one or more committees and may delegate to any such committee or committees any or all of its powers" Try to find out who elected or appointed this committee, was it the full BOD as required although Sam seems to have not been consulted. Get the minutes of those meeting?. What authority was delegated to them, specifically? Meet in secret? Pick candidates or just recommend them to BOD for its consideration (again,the former done here). How was it to report its findings to the full BOD? Sam as a member of the BOD should be able to demand a full accounting of the process. Any problem with the establishment of the committee or it functioning outside its delegated authority would render its recommendations invalid. You get the idea
5)Section 5.1 of the bylaws provides that the Members (or Board) may increase or decrease the number of Directors. You can introduce a motion to increase the BOD by 3 to include Sam, Ian and Barb or to any number (say 21 and include 11 people to establish a majority.) Bad news is that the # of directors cannot be changed at the annual meeting on Sunday. However, it can be changed at a Special Meeting. "Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time and at any place when called by the chairman of the Board (or if there is no such chairman, the president) or by two or more directors." So, you can call a Special Meeting for Sunday morning before the AGM. It appears you can do this by providing members 24 hour notice by email, telephone, or in-person. Tough timing but worth mentioning.
I'm glad to see you're fighting this, it would have been easy to just throw your hands up in disgust and quit. It's one way to show that intimidation and underhanded tactics will not go unanswered.
1)The bylaws posted here seem to be in draft form including some comments. You probably need to ensure that this draft = current bylaws.
2) If this hasn't been posted to Clubnet it might be worth posting there. The more people aware of this, the more support you may get, not everyone is on AP.
3) Does anyone know if the official slate of candidates is aware of this situation? Some may have been asked to serve w/o being told there were other new and incumbent candidates. If I was asked to serve on a BOD and then found out about this charade, I would withdraw my name or, if elected, resign. Might be worth determining if they are witting accomplices or have they been duped.
4) The bylaws do not explicitly provide for a Nominating Committee but Section 5.4 provides that"The Board may elect or appoint one or more committees and may delegate to any such committee or committees any or all of its powers" Try to find out who elected or appointed this committee, was it the full BOD as required although Sam seems to have not been consulted. Get the minutes of those meeting?. What authority was delegated to them, specifically? Meet in secret? Pick candidates or just recommend them to BOD for its consideration (again,the former done here). How was it to report its findings to the full BOD? Sam as a member of the BOD should be able to demand a full accounting of the process. Any problem with the establishment of the committee or it functioning outside its delegated authority would render its recommendations invalid. You get the idea
5)Section 5.1 of the bylaws provides that the Members (or Board) may increase or decrease the number of Directors. You can introduce a motion to increase the BOD by 3 to include Sam, Ian and Barb or to any number (say 21 and include 11 people to establish a majority.) Bad news is that the # of directors cannot be changed at the annual meeting on Sunday. However, it can be changed at a Special Meeting. "Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time and at any place when called by the chairman of the Board (or if there is no such chairman, the president) or by two or more directors." So, you can call a Special Meeting for Sunday morning before the AGM. It appears you can do this by providing members 24 hour notice by email, telephone, or in-person. Tough timing but worth mentioning.
I'm glad to see you're fighting this, it would have been easy to just throw your hands up in disgust and quit. It's one way to show that intimidation and underhanded tactics will not go unanswered.
Jun 12, 2010 8:21 AM
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Re jjcote comment:
I saw a similar strategy used to revive a climbing club. We couldn't get anyone to stand for committee positions. Our solution was to propose a formal dissolution of the club at the AGM. Outrage ensued and a young turk clique started plotting to oust us from the board. They defeated the dissolution motion, duly won the election and the previous board members felt well pleased with their chicanery. We were free to go climbing again.
I saw a similar strategy used to revive a climbing club. We couldn't get anyone to stand for committee positions. Our solution was to propose a formal dissolution of the club at the AGM. Outrage ensued and a young turk clique started plotting to oust us from the board. They defeated the dissolution motion, duly won the election and the previous board members felt well pleased with their chicanery. We were free to go climbing again.
Jun 12, 2010 12:35 PM
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I'm hoping all or many of the candidates will read this today and respond today (before I tell my proxy how I wish to vote).
As a teacher, I regularly have my students set goals. But these goals are only worthwhile if the student has specific plans as to how they will achieve their goals.
So, I ask each candidate to elaborate on their goals for NEOC and explain exactly what steps they will take to help the club achieve those goals. If you want to create a schools program, what form would it take? If you want to improve the map base, how would you go about making it happen? If you wish to attract beginners to the sport, how do you propose to do it?
My ideal committee has individuals who have solid plans to help the club move forward, and individuals who work well with each other and other people in a thoughtful, considerate, constructive and positive manner. I actually think there are more than five strong candidates in the eight listed. I hope that even those who are not elected will still volunteer to put plans in motion to make NEOC a larger, stronger, more vibrant club!
As a teacher, I regularly have my students set goals. But these goals are only worthwhile if the student has specific plans as to how they will achieve their goals.
So, I ask each candidate to elaborate on their goals for NEOC and explain exactly what steps they will take to help the club achieve those goals. If you want to create a schools program, what form would it take? If you want to improve the map base, how would you go about making it happen? If you wish to attract beginners to the sport, how do you propose to do it?
My ideal committee has individuals who have solid plans to help the club move forward, and individuals who work well with each other and other people in a thoughtful, considerate, constructive and positive manner. I actually think there are more than five strong candidates in the eight listed. I hope that even those who are not elected will still volunteer to put plans in motion to make NEOC a larger, stronger, more vibrant club!
Jun 12, 2010 3:09 PM
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What is sure to stay the same and what is sure to change on the NEOC board
Terms expiring, not candidates for reelection:
Terms expiring, not candidates for reelection:
Caroline FlemingContinuing into the second year of their term:
Paul Pearson
Jim Paschetto
Jason Tong
Joanne Sankus
Pete Lane
Jun 12, 2010 8:15 PM
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GuyO:
It is highly likely that Board members not up for reelection are on the Nominating Committee. At least that is how it works in HVO.
Jun 13, 2010 4:47 AM
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barb:
The Board candidates have submitted statements in which they do address the question of what they want to achieve. I realize you're asking for an expansion of this, Khall. A quick summary from what has been sent out:
Ian Smith
* Implement a program to revitalize existing maps and make new ones
* Recruit meet directors; provide education and resources to meet directors
* Start a program of training camps, beginner to elite - specifically one or two weekends, with additional coaching and course review at local meets
Samantha Saeger
* Build the NEOC community, and make it a welcoming community
* High quality maps
* High quality events
* Collaborate with neighboring clubs
Peter Amram
* Major issue for him is lack of qualified supervisory personnel: wants to train more Club members in meet direction
Jim Crawford
* More Trail-O's, Bike-O's
* More annual special events like BHTraverse
* Package smaller meets into a series
* Increased support for GPS data-loggers
* On-demand printing of maps on site
Peter Frykman
* Streamline the process of running meets
* Foster use of e-punching
* Outreach program, meeting regularly
* Make orienteering as accessible to as many people as possible
Andy McIlvaine
* Organize NEOC course design and mapping clinic
* Continue current work on mapping committee
* (Andy created NEOC's Facebook page)
* Outreach
Dan Westerberg
* Increase e-punching
* Host A-meets
* Support new meet directors
* Have more meets
* Publicity to draw more participants.
Barb Bryant (moi)
* Support NEOC members volunteering in local schools [I'd do this by getting a good handle on what people are already doing, polling members to find people willing to work with school groups, sharing curriculum ideas, and helping with school contacts. My dream is a school league like WIOL. With a couple more motivated people, I think we could start to make this happen.]
* Participate in the recently created O-in-schools USOF committee
* Update our process for making, storing, documenting and sharing our maps. [I have a bunch of specific ideas for this, but am feeling slightly typed out here. For one thing, standard version control practices should be implemented on the OCAD files. More on maps below.]
* Collaborate with other orienteering clubs [we are doing some of that already, but I'd like to extend it to specific projects including map repository, map sales system, online local meet registration, more frequent A meets]
I will add that the reason I want to serve on the Board (as opposed to just volunteering for committees) is because I disagree with some recent decisions and actions of the leadership of NEOC. I realized that if I disagree, the best thing to do would be to put myself forward as a candidate to see if I can effect change. For example:
* One change I would like to make is for there to be increased transparency; for example, post Board agendas and meeting summaries publicly, post the election process including Nominating Committee members (I still don't know who they are!), etc.
* Another change I would like to make is how we protect and use our maps, which I consider a key asset of the club. I would focus on having great relationships with landowners and managers, be vigilant that no one is making money off our maps without paying us, and be vigilant that people are not sullying the NEOC name by trespassing with our maps. But at the same time I would work to expand the use of the maps to advance the sport of orienteering (for example, encourage people to post their routes, and make it easy to buy the maps).
These examples, and others that interest me, require decision-making at the Board level, which is why I wish to serve on the Board, and not just on committees. It disturbs me, frankly, that some of the folks who have declared themselves as Board candidates have been encouraged by the current leadership to just serve on committees instead. Those are very different things, and I feel that some changes in the decision-making body would be a good thing for NEOC right now.
Ian Smith
* Implement a program to revitalize existing maps and make new ones
* Recruit meet directors; provide education and resources to meet directors
* Start a program of training camps, beginner to elite - specifically one or two weekends, with additional coaching and course review at local meets
Samantha Saeger
* Build the NEOC community, and make it a welcoming community
* High quality maps
* High quality events
* Collaborate with neighboring clubs
Peter Amram
* Major issue for him is lack of qualified supervisory personnel: wants to train more Club members in meet direction
Jim Crawford
* More Trail-O's, Bike-O's
* More annual special events like BHTraverse
* Package smaller meets into a series
* Increased support for GPS data-loggers
* On-demand printing of maps on site
Peter Frykman
* Streamline the process of running meets
* Foster use of e-punching
* Outreach program, meeting regularly
* Make orienteering as accessible to as many people as possible
Andy McIlvaine
* Organize NEOC course design and mapping clinic
* Continue current work on mapping committee
* (Andy created NEOC's Facebook page)
* Outreach
Dan Westerberg
* Increase e-punching
* Host A-meets
* Support new meet directors
* Have more meets
* Publicity to draw more participants.
Barb Bryant (moi)
* Support NEOC members volunteering in local schools [I'd do this by getting a good handle on what people are already doing, polling members to find people willing to work with school groups, sharing curriculum ideas, and helping with school contacts. My dream is a school league like WIOL. With a couple more motivated people, I think we could start to make this happen.]
* Participate in the recently created O-in-schools USOF committee
* Update our process for making, storing, documenting and sharing our maps. [I have a bunch of specific ideas for this, but am feeling slightly typed out here. For one thing, standard version control practices should be implemented on the OCAD files. More on maps below.]
* Collaborate with other orienteering clubs [we are doing some of that already, but I'd like to extend it to specific projects including map repository, map sales system, online local meet registration, more frequent A meets]
I will add that the reason I want to serve on the Board (as opposed to just volunteering for committees) is because I disagree with some recent decisions and actions of the leadership of NEOC. I realized that if I disagree, the best thing to do would be to put myself forward as a candidate to see if I can effect change. For example:
* One change I would like to make is for there to be increased transparency; for example, post Board agendas and meeting summaries publicly, post the election process including Nominating Committee members (I still don't know who they are!), etc.
* Another change I would like to make is how we protect and use our maps, which I consider a key asset of the club. I would focus on having great relationships with landowners and managers, be vigilant that no one is making money off our maps without paying us, and be vigilant that people are not sullying the NEOC name by trespassing with our maps. But at the same time I would work to expand the use of the maps to advance the sport of orienteering (for example, encourage people to post their routes, and make it easy to buy the maps).
These examples, and others that interest me, require decision-making at the Board level, which is why I wish to serve on the Board, and not just on committees. It disturbs me, frankly, that some of the folks who have declared themselves as Board candidates have been encouraged by the current leadership to just serve on committees instead. Those are very different things, and I feel that some changes in the decision-making body would be a good thing for NEOC right now.
Jun 13, 2010 10:51 PM
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Congratulations to the new Board. Let's get some momentum going for some interesting events.
This discussion thread is closed.