SPAR revolt?

[iloveionia]

rebellion.
uprising.
mutiny in the hood.

I respect that people want change for the greater good.  I hope it all works out to benefit everyone.

[AlexS]

Wednesday 7:30PM Bat Cave?

I won't be in town for this. Just thought I'd let you all know.

[jbm32206]

I'll be there at 6:30...see ya'll there!

[uptowngirl]

Wednesday 7:30PM Bat Cave?

I won't be in town for this. Just thought I'd let you all know.

No rush to meet then since I believe ALEXs was the one who volunteered to help us present any suggested changes to the board.

[AlexS]

No rush to meet then since I believe ALEXs was the one who volunteered to help us present any suggested changes to the board.

I would present them to the board. But I thought the membership was unhappy with the bylaws and wanted them changed. The suggested changes still need to come from the members.

[gatorback]

Okay, let's say "confrontation" instead of "revolution."

I like Challenge as in SPARC or C/SPAR, the Spar Challenge, just not opportunitiy please.

[strider]

I know AlexS and I trust him to keep his word.  AlexS has said he won't be in town tonight, but he has stated he will be at the board meeting. If we are going to have any chance to get SPAR Council to listen to us, we need to do this now.  AlexS not being at the proposed meeting does not change anything as he is simply willing to be the messenger. If we give him reasonable demands and we go to the "open" board meeting to support him, we actually have a very small chance to make this work. But it needs to be now.  We can not allow "them" too much time to circle the wagons.  It is bad enough they know everything that we post as it is, more time works in their favor.

Let's keep the meeting and let's keep the schedule to get our demands to them for the next Board meeting.
I'll see you all tonight.

[Springfield Girl]

I don't know if you guys will have me but as a board member I would be glad to be at the meeting and take your questions and requests to the full board. I am very much my own person and lived in Springfield before I started selling real estate. I do sell SRG homes along with historic homes but my goal is to make Springfield the best it can be. I consider Mack more of a friend and neighbor than a boss and regardless of what people think, he does not tell me what to do, say or think. I was asked to join the board in a real estate capacity to keep the group informed of goings on in the market. There are several other Realtors involved also whether it's Reggie, writing his newsletter column, Amanda taking charge of the 5K run, Teresa working tirelessly for the Mommies Group or Joe and Chris heading up a Heritage Days Committee. I was one of the 3 members who voted to make the board votes public and I was the loudest defender of keeping the forum board open. I am often frustrated my written text on these boards does not always relay the intent of my posts but be assured that my love for this neighborhood is the reason I am involved. In the end I think we all want what's best for Springfield.

[uptowngirl]

Springfield Girl, you are right on! As Stoder previously posted we need to keep the personal out of it and do what is best for the neighborhood.

My main concerns are:

Voting for board members and even appointees
Voting on by-law changes
Transparency

really that is it... I do not have a personal ax to grind, just strongly believe in the above three items, so I would LOVE to have you there!

[Springfield Girl]

I agree. I think SPAR would be a better organization and I think more people would be happy with the goings on if we could get more resident's input. I honestly don't know how to do it though. I did email the other board members to suggest that we go back to a question and answer format at the general meetings instead of a guest speaker or social function type meeting. In my early days in Springfield residents brought up issues affecting their property, area etc. at meetings and got information, ideas and advice from other residents. It helped to talk about shared issues and brainstorm. I have had discussions through the years with other neighbors about forming a homeowners association of sorts. Not in the, tell people what color to paint their house type of way but neighbors talking about issues that effect their property, families and quality of life. This may be a way for residents to come up with a concensus of expectations for the neighborhood. This could be taken by representatives to SPAR or not and dealt with within the organization depending on what the residents want.

[Downtown Dweller]

I agree. I think SPAR would be a better organization and I think more people would be happy with the goings on if we could get more resident's input. I honestly don't know how to do it though. I did email the other board members to suggest that we go back to a question and answer format at the general meetings instead of a guest speaker or social function type meeting. In my early days in Springfield residents brought up issues affecting their property, area etc. at meetings and got information, ideas and advice from other residents. It helped to talk about shared issues and brainstorm. I have had discussions through the years with other neighbors about forming a homeowners association of sorts. Not in the, tell people what color to paint their house type of way but neighbors talking about issues that effect their property, families and quality of life. This may be a way for residents to come up with a concensus of expectations for the neighborhood. This could be taken by representatives to SPAR or not and dealt with within the organization depending on what the residents want.

I like that!

[jbm32206]

So do I...and I look forward to seeing everyone this evening!

[sheclown]

Thank you Springfield Girl.

[jbm32206]

Here's the summary of issues of concern to be submitted at the board meeting:

Executive Director

* Should have no voting privileges
* Have term limitation
* Should be elected by the board members
* Should have staggered terms

Bylaws

* Review, for possible revision
* Should not be changed unless ratified by membership vote
* Must require elections for a board members, with no appointments

Agenda

* Should be posted prior to scheduled meeting
* Require minutes to be taken and posted

Transparency

* Post board meeting notes (for all boards, committees)
* List items, voting record for each item
* Members should refrain from voting to eliminate conflict of interest

[Springfield Girl]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come to this meeting. The conversation was lively and enjoyable. Opening lines of communication this way can only be a good thing.