Hey Westville1,
I have had directors tell me they wish they could just go back to playing with their tractors, this was before the Nov. board meeting. Really this is not the situation that it appears to be. Being on the board is more of a pain than anything else. The ones on there mostly are doing it because they consider it to be their duty and obligation. I would have serious reservation as to if they would step down, I was told by 2 directors after the Nov. meeting they expected to get one heck of alot of flak, but they felt they had done what should had been done, they were not happy campers about what was done. I do know them well, like many other members I know. You probably suspect I keep contact with them, I do, I call or e-mail them and many other members, both in N. America and overseas. In recent conversations both the directors told me that the flak was nothing near as bad as they had suspected. I doubt there would be sufficient candidates to hold a full election, especially in view of all the controvery lately, who in their right mind would want to jump in the middle of all that? And if they did, the same controversy will follow them. I don&#039;t know how closely you follow the nominating, and election process, but there has been for many years a difficulty getting candidates that will go thru an election, then accept the duties, and expenses, on their own nickle. The vast majority of members are happy being just members and will go no farther than that. The directors I have talked to about having their positions elected are plenty happy to do so, that would mean that maybe someone else could do it. Currently, at the suggestion of one of our officers, I have been researching options to speed up the process of amending the bylaws, there are other ways, I need to look into technicalities, and assure this is fair to every member. Since you don&#039;t know the board members, probably, you also don&#039;t know what they do. Most of the work is outside the meeting, and issues can be not only complex, but long range, covering months and years. That is the major reason I very much recommend moving slowly, we need to get some new ones in, keep the rest, then every year make changes until every year there is a percentage that rotates in and out. That way we can maintain the expertise, and knowledge we have. All I can say about replacing all at once is we would get a very enlightening introduction to the facts that mistakes can be costly. Of course you know that with this duty I have accepted, there is no choice for me to be anything but objective and analytical. But, what was a very small project for me, did rather quickly turn into a nightmare! Well, ya take it on your plate then ya gotta eat it!
I am optimistic, if Sherry gets her mag going, I think she will do good, which will open more doors for her, this would not had been possible. I know HPOC mag will get better, and prompt, at least I hope so. The first one out was a rush job, the first one is rarely what it should be. It will all work out, just not overnight is all.
Hope to hear from you soon! I gotta get off this thing and sleep, need to be at the Louisville show by noon and it is a 5 hour drive. Later, Andy