I picked up a packet to run for the board and am mulling over whether it is worth it. I am told my decision prompted Steve Collins and Anita Borski to run again. Good for them although I hope they are not running just to be a nuisance to me. I am not sure who else will run. I need to base any decision I make on my evaluation of whether the will of the majority of members will be better served with me on the board. As all of you know I am not afraid to demand answers to the tough questions. The members need to know what they are giving up and what they are getting. They also need to be given real choices for expenditures and the opportunity through survey or otherwise to weigh in. My role on the board would be read the will of the majority based on all the data presented and vote accordingly. I will never vote a plain yes or no but will always explain what I think the will of the majority is, why I think this is the will of the majority and then cast my based on the will of the majority. Should I run?
John, I admire your passion to do what you see to be the right thing. I'm going to be short and blunt (since you asked): It simply (or naively?) seems to me someone has more influence from the inside. I never saw a straight answer (maybe because I don't follow everything) as to why you quit the first time and then stayed "in the fight" from the outside.
I feel Jeb reflects the sentiment of many. Why did you walk away the last time? What makes you believe conditions have so dramatically changed, that there exists a better outcome? It’s also important to remember the will of the majority of the members is not always going to be the best answer. Also remember,you are one vote out of 9. Your desires can be quashed by being outvoted time after time. Are you looking to be an adversarial role on the board? Are you looking to challenge a particular member or position? Just some of the questions that could arise
Great motivation John, but looking for data to support your voting strategy is an idea I find somewhat askew. This could cause further delays while waiting for survey responses to matriculate and be tallied. This will add cost to every decision because mailing ballots for surveys is costly. If you make the survey strictly electronic, you have eliminated a portion of the membership that cannot vote electronically. You are going to continue to vote with what you feel is relevant and right. Acquiring data is not always easy and is not expedient.
In my most humble opinion and with your best intentions considered, it appears the most pressing issues issue you have to address is why you decided to depart once before and what has changed? If you had trouble with other board members, or the outstanding issues or always being outvoted, those are every day challenges of being on the board. There can be times where you can go years without winning the vote. You will be one of nine and that doesn’t give you the chance to be the majority.
Thanks all for the good advice. Those that do not agree with me will hammer on why I resigned. Quite simply, I had ethical concerns with how the board was operating behind closed doors and how they treated each other. For me implicit in the role of a fiduciary of this type is to represent all members and not to favor one over another. To do so, members need meaningful rights and someone knowledgeable to present viable plans for the future. I also felt that the purpose of committees was to provide recommendations that the Board presented to the members and either accepted or rejected. I think we agree this is not currently happening. That is why I left and that is why I stayed in the "fight". During my shortened term we managed to adopt mission, vision and values and to "open the books". We gave members the right to vote in 2023 only to have the board deny it. My beliefs have not changed one iota. Hope this helps...
Just my opinion but, if the only reason Collins and Borski decided to run again, after they said they wouldn't, is because you decided to run, then they are running for the wrong reason. If that's the case, then they will probably always vote against anything you propose simply because it's you, and anything they say to contrary is BS! If they truly wanted to serve the community then they should never had first decided not to run again. And regardless of how many times you get outvoted, it's still important to be able to express your concerns to the members and to vote for what you believe in. Just my opinion!
John, You are a person of integrity and honesty. I hope everyone gets to see these qualities in you. I will support your efforts to run for the board. You have my vote and offer my support to you in any way I can. Good luck John.
Whatever you decide to do please let us know. If you need signatures, let us know where we can meet you. The deadline for turning in your packet is Friday, October 17th, by noon!
John, we may not agree on many things but I will also defend your right to run. I look forward to signing your qualification sheet.
