[amsat-bb] Re: BoD Elections

[Dee]

See my snips...


-----Original Message-----
From: Timothy J. Salo [mailto:salo at saloits.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:48 PM
To: Dee
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] BoD Elections

> There are no "secret" happenings - it is all out in the open.

Have you actually been to a Board meeting?  Have you heard the pitch about
how you can't talk about anything that you hear during the meeting?  I
assume that the chair still gives this pitch at the beginning of the Board
meeting.

    >>>Yes, I have been.  I have not heard any statement of secrecy(unless
relevant to legal proceedings). If a negotiation is ongoing for a launch and
they do not want it to be interfered with until it has been exhausted or
come to fruition, I will honor such a request. The full minutes of what is
said and discussed is published for all to see.  Again, the BOD meeting is
open for all to attend that are interested enough to find out actions items
being passed around.

If you attended a board meeting, did you feel welcome?  Or, did you feel
merely tolerated.  Did the Board reserve a room just large enough for the
board members?  Did you have to go find your own chair, if you wanted to
sit?  Did you feel that you could eat any of the food that was left over
after the Board ate?

    >>> I felt welcomed at any that I was present for.  Some on the board
finally put a face to the name and call.  I certainly did not know many
officers except for what I read about them in the mailings.  I agree that
there is limited space since they really don't expect a large turnout at a
BOD meeting. (Most is dull, not exciting information but it gives you an
idea of procedures and good information to bring back to local groups via
presentations) I don't go for the food. AMSAT cannot accommodate a free
lunch for onlookers.

I once asked for a copy(of an agenda) at a Board meeting.  You would think I
was asking for the keys to their bank account.

    >>> They had copies when I attended-probably a result of you asking for
one.

Do you have confidence that you are even aware of all of the meetings of the
board?

    >>>Their monthly phone conferences are summarized in the AMSAT journal
or on the BB or via the ANS.

In my view, the Board employs a number of subtle techniques to prevent the
membership from knowing about, much less discussing, the activities of the
Board.

    >>>As in any organization, we elect the board to act on to do lists -
investigate - perform reality checks and disseminate information about our
organization because most of us cannot offer time and energy to do so.

Besides having your ideas heard, I don't think that members are permitted to
speak at board meetings, unless invited.

    >>>Ideas from the general membership are presented at the annual
meeting.  While attending one BOD meeting, I was asked "and what & why are
you here?" I promptly told them I was there to "observe and absorb"
information for my many presentations to local Radio Clubs asking me to
attend meetings - part of my Area Co-coordinator Job in NJ - Personally, I
like to hear about any HEO projects, my favorite subject.
--Timothy, once again, attend this years Symposium with a renewed interest
and what you feel should be changed, attempt change.  We are only 40 years
old as a group and finding the level you wish AMSAT to be at can directly be
in your grasp. Grab a pen (Equivalent to a computer I guess) and volunteer
for something that we need to have happen - see the Journal!

-tjs


73,
Dee, NB2F