[amsat-bb] The Explanition Has Come

[Michelle Thompson]

I'm not sure anyone is going to take you very seriously, since you have
repeatedly and stridently yelped for my resignation, since the day I was
elected, for:

1) Playing Pokemon GO (somehow that's a firing offense... "GO figure")
2) Having a pile of books fall over on my desk (somehow I can't serve as a
Director because I tweeted about having too many books)
3) Pointing out (privately) that sexist language doesn't belong in AMSAT
management.
4) Pointing out (privately) that official social media accounts weren't
doing what they promised to do.
5) Being at Comic-Con.
6) Promoting microwave broadband digital birds.
7) Having the nerve to found a 501(c)(3) dedicated to open source R&D for
amateur radio and beyond.
8) Breathing.

Please notice that I have yet to squall for anyone's resignation. I am
ready and willing to work with anyone. I am ready to defend Clayton despite
the authorship of this very regrettable admission of AMSAT failing to
follow its own bylaws or DC corporate code. I actually liked working with
him. He has permission to share any private messages I've sent him.

I do appreciate the opportunity you have given me to share my report.

https://w5nyv.blogspot.com/2020/07/report-to-members-8-amsat-na-board-of.html

This is the 8th in a series. I ran on transparency, trust, and technology.

I'm an activist.

If you elect an activist, expect activism. Some of what I found is
obviously uncomfortable. The incumbents have reacted in entirely
predictable ways. If the members want comfortable waste firmly ensconced in
the past, then go ahead, re-elect the incumbents.

I've raised real money for AMSAT R&D this year. It adds up to over $65k.
Open Research Institute is an AMSAT Member Society. That means that it's
recognized as an asset to AMSAT, works for AMSAT's interests, and attacking
it is just plain stupid.

I've confronted the board about unauthorized spending. I brought receipts.

Patrick deserves the majority of the credit for stopping this obscenely
wasteful practice of hiring lawyers on the sly.

Fiducial responsibility is really all we as Directors are required to do.
This is basic oversight of an organization. Unlike other things we do, it's
not rocket science.

-Michelle W5NYV




On Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 5:26 PM David Swanson via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:

> Director Thompson and Director Stoddard should immediately resign their
> positions. Their actions are unbecoming of this organization, the
> community, and a stain on ham radio.
>
> Dave, KG5CCI.
>
> On Fri, Jul 10, 2020, 6:26 PM Kevin via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> wrote:
>
> > Or is it a couple newbies to the board didn't get what they wanted when
> > they wanted it and then decided to make a big fuss over it? and  AMSAT
> > decided maybe some legal guidance was in order? which IMHO probably
> > wasn't a bad idea.
> >
> > I have confidence in the board and that with time this will all be
> > worked out.
> >
> > Kevin WA7FWF #19623
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 7/10/2020 3:36 PM, Brad Smith via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> > > The email, "AMSAT Leadership Explains 2018-2020 Legal Expenses," which
> I
> > assume all members received, made me think of the words of an oldie song
> > that has the words, "I wish that i could be the president, so I could
> show
> > you how your money's spent." In this case, it appears that the money was
> > spent to, at the advice of hired layers, keep two duly elected directors
> > from assuming their rightful role. So, the legal answer must have been to
> > segregate them, into a second class status. Is this really legal, and in
> > keeping with the bylaws of AMSAT? Why would the board do this? What are
> > they hiding and from whom? I may be just a dumb, retired, Midwestern
> > engineer, but even I can see thru this one. Talk about smoke and mirrors.
> > > I am going to assume that it was legal for the board to select a new
> > president, and that the membership has nothing to do with that. This
> whole
> > situation has the appearance of a game where people have been trying to
> > find a way to legally block other people from assuming their duties.
> Sounds
> > like Washington politics to me.
> > > Some members have resigned their membership over this. I am here to say
> > that I do not condone this form of reaction. In my humble opinion, (and
> > some of you know how humble I am) if you are on the birds, you should
> > financially support the organization. Exception would be if one couldn't
> > afford it, of course.
> > > Respectfully,Brad KC9UQR
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> > Opinions expressed
> > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
> of
> > AMSAT-NA.
> > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> > program!
> > > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> Opinions
> > expressed
> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> > AMSAT-NA.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>