If you are interested in the next board meeting

[wnnelson]

Clay,

Uhhh - no...

What I'm saying is that if there is a plan for a membership phone-in, it is not yet fully baked, and that it would be best to keep the speculation off this forum until specifics are available - which I will announce on the homepage as soon as the details are worked out.

Would that be on the 9th?😀

 

[Curtis Thompson]

Meeting Agenda discussions

Motivated by😀
Mark "Mad Dog" Mandell, I am posting my ideas for additional agenda discussions.

...............................

I’m glad that the BoD has opened the meeting to the AAW public. It’s a step in the right direction. It will of course be sanitized and I expect that because if the shoe were on the other foot I would do the same.

They have a chance to tackle tough questions and issues that are before the AAW at this time. If this turns out to be political posturing and spin then the trust issue will not see any improvement.

These would be some additional agenda issues that I would like seeing discussed that might concern everyone:

Agenda items

1. Search update​

A. Current expenditures for the search
B. What is the schedule for the search campaign?
C. Number of interviews conducted so far?
D. Can this search be conducted in house with less cost to the AAW.​

5. Conference Coordination​

B. Update 2011 / 2012​

1. 2012 San Jose contractual agreement modifications update​

7. Membership Drive 2011​

B. Increase in data collection​

1. YTD pervious year comparison membership enrollments?​

.
.
Curtis Thompson
Member # 15049

 

[Betty Scarpino]

...
These would be some additional agenda issues that I would like seeing discussed that might concern everyone:

1. YTD pervious year comparison membership enrollments? ...

Curtis Thompson
Member # 15049

Curtis, Linda Ferber emails this information to board members every month and I get copied on the message. I imagine you could have a copy of the latest excel spreadsheet (or maybe a summary) if you email her at linda@woodturner.org.

In general, membership continues to steadily grow, and the latest report (end of July) showed membership at its highest level ever. If new memberships and renewals continue to increase at their current pace, the AAW could very well end up with 14,000 members by the end of the year!

This report shows monthly and yearly comparisons, going back for many years.


Betty Scarpino, editor, AW

 

[Mark Mandell]

Curtis,

On your San Jose question you might be getting into an area requiring AAW counsel to jump in because the contract was already signed. Unless the venue's attorney screwed up, the contract may well have a number of penalty provisions making modification difficult and expensive. Thus if any modifications are being attempted, the process may well be going on between law offices.

I would think that you should be able to get 2009-2010 membership figures by either calling the office or e-mailing the membership committee.

okay, so Betty already answered

 

[AndiWolfe]

Curiosity v. something else?

Andi

Just because someone may not watch CSPAN doesn't mean that they shouldn't listen in on our elected board members. I understand what you are trying to compare, but it is our right to do so.

Not all of us have a contact that tells us what really happens in these board meetings and if nothing else, we (the members) need to know how our elected officials conduct themselves if nothing else.

Plus now we can actually hear who said what instead of hear say. We can also hold them accountable, or praise them if they ever have good ideas.

Clay

Clay - I never questioned anyone's rights to listen in to the board meeting if it's an open meeting. I was simply curious as to why people are making such a huge deal over this right now. However, I do hope that this same level of political activism translates over to the real world where there is a potential to make a huge difference in a realm that has so much more at stake.

 

[hockenbery]

Andi,

while, I find it boring to listen when I'm not an active participant, I might tune in if I had a keen interest on a particular agenda item.

probably like the county council meetings you only attend when the agenda includes land use in your neighborhood.

on the otherhand
It may be a way for those who feel detached from the AAW and unappreciative of the board to connect with the AAW and its leadership and get a sense for the work the board does on their behalf.

It should provide lots of fuel for the contrarians.

-Al

 

[Betty Scarpino]

...However, I do hope that this same level of political activism translates over to the real world where there is a potential to make a huge difference in a realm that has so much more at stake.

Andi,
I suspect that many people believe that they have little ability to have input in the larger realms of school boards, city councils, state government, and national politics. One could argue that those areas are more important, however, I think I could make a case that what's happening within the AAW is, actually, more "real," thus more important to some folks' everyday lives.

For many people, woodturning is their life's interest, something that they think about often. It brings pleasure to their daily routine. Some folks see this world having been threatened or at the very least changed.

Because our world (the AAW and woodturning) is so small (relative to local and national affairs), one person can actually make a significant difference. So, if someone wants to make a difference in what affects their everyday life, he or she would pay attention to something like the AAW (or what's happening in their neighborhood or in their church or maybe in their workplace).

It may be that everyone on this forum listens to C-SPAN or NPR and is also involved in local or national political issues. We don't know that. We only know that there are a number of people interested in the internal affairs of the AAW and they are speaking out. Some folks are doing so in a way that is supportive and helpful, some are simply argumentative, and some, unfortunately, may have good intentions and immense feelings, but are simply unable to communicate in a way that brings answers, rather their approach can only be seen as an attack. I think, however, that we all want the same thing, which is an organization that functions properly and meets our needs. I believe we are well on our way (albeit sometimes painfully) to having that happen.



Betty Scarpino, editor, AW

 

[Choice Woods]

This is the REAL WORLD

Clay - I never questioned anyone's rights to listen in to the board meeting if it's an open meeting. I was simply curious as to why people are making such a huge deal over this right now. However, I do hope that this same level of political activism translates over to the real world where there is a potential to make a huge difference in a realm that has so much more at stake.

Andi
I kinda think this is the real world. Or better yet I am sure that Mary Lacer thinks it is.

I am not trying to bring up the Mary fiasco again, but anytime there is an unjust in someone's eyes more people get involved. Just like the next US Presidential election will be followed more than the last ect.ect

Also, in your real world, it is very difficult to actually talk to a state rep or congress person to confront them in any wrong doing or praise them if they ever do anything right. In the AAW world (which is still the real world)we can do that and it is time that we do. There is too much politics and secrets in the AAW for us to stand and wait to see what happens then deal with it .t.

 

[AndiWolfe]

Nice summary

Andi,
I suspect that many people believe that they have little ability to have input in the larger realms of school boards, city councils, state government, and national politics. One could argue that those areas are more important, however, I think I could make a case that what's happening within the AAW is, actually, more "real," thus more important to some folks' everyday lives.

For many people, woodturning is their life's interest, something that they think about often. It brings pleasure to their daily routine. Some folks see this world having been threatened or at the very least changed.

Because our world (the AAW and woodturning) is so small (relative to local and national affairs), one person can actually make a significant difference. So, if someone wants to make a difference in what affects their everyday life, he or she would pay attention to something like the AAW (or what's happening in their neighborhood or in their church or maybe in their workplace).

It may be that everyone on this forum listens to C-SPAN or NPR and is also involved in local or national political issues. We don't know that. We only know that there are a number of people interested in the internal affairs of the AAW and they are speaking out. Some folks are doing so in a way that is supportive and helpful, some are simply argumentative, and some, unfortunately, may have good intentions and immense feelings, but are simply unable to communicate in a way that brings answers, rather their approach can only be seen as an attack. I think, however, that we all want the same thing, which is an organization that functions properly and meets our needs. I believe we are well on our way (albeit sometimes painfully) to having that happen.



Betty Scarpino, editor, AW

Thanks, Betty - I think you summarized this very well.

 

[Owen Lowe]

on the otherhand
It may be a way for those who feel detached from the AAW and unappreciative of the board to connect with the AAW and its leadership and get a sense for the work the board does on their behalf.

It should provide lots of fuel for the contrarians.

-Al

Too, it could offer some insight into the board members' true personalities and may deflate some of the perceptions that there exists heavy-handed, manipulative members who are bulldozing the others.

 

[George Guadiane]

on the otherhand
It may be a way for those who feel detached from the AAW and unappreciative of the board to connect with the AAW and its leadership and get a sense for the work the board does on their behalf.

It should provide lots of fuel for the contrarians.

-Al

And on the OTHER otherhand
It may be a way for those who feel disenfranchised by the AAW BOD and unappreciated to connect with the AAW and its leadership and become a part of the work the board does on their behalf.

I'm interested to know who the "contrarians" are in this, those who now want to get involved with their organization and have a voice in it's operation and a hand in steering it's future or the current BoD, it's protectors and apologists (OK, no one really apologizes for this BoD)?

 

[hockenbery]

Dick,

you are correct personal attacks are supposed to be a nono
"never hit your brother back, you'll get caught"
You caught the second one.

Curtis should delete his post 39
Andi should delete her post 46
Curtis should delete his post 63

-al

 

[Dick Wilson]

Al

That's fine by me. Delete them all. There have been a number of professional turners who have expressed their views over the last several months on this forum. Sometimes I flat out disagreed with them, but respected their view. It takes quite a bit for me to disrespect someone. Ms. Wolfe ran off the cliff on this one.

 

[Al Stramiello]

Dick,

you are correct personal attacks are supposed to be a nono
"never hit your brother back, you'll get caught"
You caught the second one.

Curtis should delete his post 39
Andi should delete her post 46
Curtis should delete his post 63

-al

. . . and, Al . . . while everybody is self-regulating their behavior, maybe you can go back and delete the last three lines of post 48.

 

[KurtB]

This thread is threatening to degenerate. If it continues, it will be closed. Let's get back on track folks.

 

[Judy Kingery]

How many of you guys who want to listen in to the AAW board meeting spend any time in front of the TV watching CSpan? The stakes are much higher in the real world, so I would hope that a relatively higher level of attention would be spent in monitoring how our tax dollars are spent.

Similar question with regards to the local school board, city council, state legislatures, etc. I'm trying to figure out why it is so important for AAW members to be virtually present at a board meeting. As I said in the title - I'm just curious.

Hmm, well actually I do pay attention to city council meetings, county commissioners' meetings and school board meetings. And yes, I think it's important to vote and evaluate how tax dollars are spent and what the priorities are. I never bother to watch something like C-Span at all. But I do contact our State Rep and or Congressman IF there is something of substantive interest in terms of legislation and actually; they're responsive to me. Or probably an aide will do the correspondence. I used to know them personally. Given being retired I no longer do. I don't say anything unless I have something of input to offer. No, not all critical at all, but a suggestion of something that might work, or support for or against a piece of state or national legislation that actually is a sound measure or not as the case may be.

So as to why someone might be interested in a BOD meeting? It's because they're interested in how the organization administration is being done. That is another practice consistent to 501(c)3 status code. If it's a public meeting, then public notice is published, and then if anyone wants to attend ~ they can. Can't be disruptive or what not, but can listen. That is how a non-profit business is conducted.

 

[Garmar]

Too, it could offer some insight into the board members' true personalities and may deflate some of the perceptions that there exists heavy-handed, manipulative members who are bulldozing the others.

Might also enforce existing perceptions, right Owen?😎rolleyes: