Today is moving day (heading home), and there's still a lot to do. In year four, what I've finally learned is what all leaders have told me all along...
The intelligence, or smartness of a club, as viewed by those that care to observe, is strictly reflected by an IP's actions.
Just a few years back we had an IP come in that promised to streamline the organization for the future. We got nothing -- except club conflict #1, the ridiculous notion that spending $25K+ on a name change would do something to enhance this club.
That was followed by an IP that decided we no longer needed to be an Airstream only club, conflict #2.
That was followed by an IP that was obstructionist towards membership efforts to guarantee their own rights to vote. 'Out of Order' became the tagline for this IP's only major accomplishment -- he effectively blocked membership efforts to have their say on how this club is run, having their votes counted, conflict #3.
This year's IP accomplished little towards club modernization. The IP was both protectionist, trying to preserve old guard ways (all but ignoring 2020 requirements), and had earlier positioned himself to block membership absentee voting (Int. Elections and Amendments).
Region Presidents responded to membership feedback, and together, a few moved, and succeeded in getting absentee voting done. A few delegates discussed from-the-floor amendments, to fix this amendment (geographical and affiliate requirements), but we all agreed -- get it in the books first, then we'll go back and fix it (far easier to fix it once it's in). We also let what might be wrong with the new wording of an amendment that specifically allows voting by email or fax (at the local unit only). Get it in now - fix it later.
This year's IP blocked any and all attempts at open and free elections. Member's deserve a choice, and who is this IP to say alternative views should not reach the membership? This IP was elected to I3VP from the floor himself, although that election was not the result of a mere member offering his services -- it was the result of an international leadership campaign to get him elected. Conflict #4 are the obstructionist and protectionist practices that this IP has taken to block the membership from being informed.
What this year's IP brought us was a devastating financial loss, both operationally, and at our International Rally. Not happy with adding another issue to the conflicts category, we now we have a new one - crisis #1. A $57,000.00 operating loss that will be compounded by a projected (from the IP's lips) loss of $40,000.00 to $60,000.00 International Rally. That's a $97,000.00 - $117,000.00 flushing of club funds, all of which occurred under this IP's watch.
What will the new IP bring to this club? We're about to find out. Listen in to the July 5th IBT Meeting. Tom has but a year to turn this ship around, and the outgoing IP has already indicated that the new IP will likely be dealing with a projected loss in the '09/'10 budget. This club cannot afford to run a defecit ever. This club can't afford another protectionist, obstructionist leader. The July 5th meeting should be the tell of the tape. We're either going to see aggressive changes and improvements right out of the gate, or prepare yourself for yet another year of losses, on top of losses...
Wishing Tom well. Hoping he's the right guy...
The elections. I lost, yet surpassed my hopes. With an IP determined to hide my candidacy from the membership, block voting continued. While I'm not doing any analysis here, I suspect even more units block voted than last year. That fault falls squarely in the IP's lap -- obstructionist, and protectionist with regards to international elections.
2008 - 1,580 votes
2009 -- 1,702 votes
and where word is getting through, changes are happening. 0 votes from the Georgia Unit in '08. More than 150 in '09. Many units are showing that some discussion is taking place, even if only represented by a single vote for a from-the floor candidate. Improvements -- many...
I'm declared and running for the International Nominating Committee for 2010. Choice is goal number one. Seeing a super majority of units casting mixed votes is goal number two. Getting elected is goal number three. There's no shame in running, there's no shame in losing.
If your unit has had enough, consider getting nominated for IP next year by your local unit. The only way any unit can voice their dissatisfaction with club leadership is to act. If your nominated unit member is not publicized club wide -- they'll have zero chance of being elected (trust me on this one). With multiple candidates running, units with abstentions will turn into split votes for the IP. There simply is no other way to send a message to the top. If you don't all make a little noise, club leadership will ignore the message...
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Topic: WBCCI Int. Rally - Madison (Read 820 times)