[amsat-bb] What is the function of a Board of Directors?

[W3AB/GEO]

Exactly Peter.

Amsat is a 501(c)(3) incorporated club. There is no management team in place. No Executive Director, no Director of Development, no Program Offices, etc.

When Amsat was formed, it was a group of bright techies from the aerospace industry who wanted to put up a ham satellite. They were well connected and OSCAR 1 was successfully launched. This has continued for quite a while and Amsat has trundled along quite nicely.

Until the satellite world became heavily commercialized and diversified, and the costs associated with building, launching and maintaining satellites skyrocketed. Intentional word.

Amsat was outgrown. The org never grew out of its original model. It became stagnant.

Now the GM is seeing that there are no real USA ham launches and are wondering why. Asking questions. No real forthcoming replies. The GM is asking for some changes.

Humans typically have a difficult time with change. Especially as we age. Some of the entrenched have no idea what to do. They hunker down, argue, grow combative and develop a "coat of arms". Arms across the chest with fingers pointing in opposite directions.

I also have quite a bit of experience with 501(c)(3) orgs. Founding some, maintaining some, being on the BOD of some and have a individual I am very close to who got their MBA in non-profit management. I get to see some pretty nasty stuff going on without being directly involved.

Amsat needs to change. NOW!

I sent a list of ideas for BOD improvement to a sitting member. These ideas will modernize the BOD and as a result Amsat. Time to move from 1969 to 2021, and beyond.

Creative responses are welcome. Flaming and/or vitriol will be sent to IT, the sender will blocked & blacklisted.

⁣___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO​

On Jul 16, 2020, 13:17, at 13:17, Peter via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
>I've noted some peculiar posts regarding the responsibilities of a
>Board of Directors lately.
>I've been on many boards in my career most of very large organizations
>and have not seen beforeverbiage as posted here.
>A board of directors is responsible for setting the mission, vision and
>values of an organization.The board approves a budget set by senior
>leadersThe board sets the vision for the next year or multiple years
>and the priorities of the organization.The board holds senior
>leadership accountable for executing all of the above.
>What a board does NOT do is engage in operational activity of ANY
>kind.  That sort of behavioris incredibly disruptive and damaging to
>the senior leaders responsible for execution of all the above.
>When you vote, consider these foundational principles.  Choose
>candidates not based on theirtechnical backgrounds as that talent isn't
>necessarily helpful at the board level, but instead ona candidate who
>can inspire, collaborate and can serve as a leader, not necessarily an
>operationalexpert.  
>In fact, candidates who promote technical expertise may find it
>irresistible to intervene in day to dayoperations causing confusion
>among the senior leadership.
>Their are clearly some very talented candidates with significant
>technical expertise.  These individualsare a treasure to the
>organization and must have their energies nurtured in a way to
>productively movethe organization forward.
>I hope you all will ponder this as you prepare to vote.
>PeterW2PP
>
>
>  
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