[amsat-bb] Re: BoD Elections

[Timothy J. Salo]

For the record, it should be noted that Dee was responding
publicly to e-mail that I sent privately.

I try to maintain a professional tone in my private e-mail
(knowing that private e-mail can easily become public).  On the
other had, I would have refined the message and language more, if
I had intended for the e-mail to be public.

Having said that, my private e-mail does reflect my experience
as an AMSAT member attending parts of several Board meetings.

At some point, I will try to write a response to this thread.
I have found the messages to date highly informative.

-tjs

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dee wrote:
>  
> 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
>