SPAR revolt?

[sheclown]

This past summer, I sat in a SPAR board planning meeting that had each of the org's 4 strategic "buckets" on easels in the 4 corners of the room. When the independent, non-profit effectiveness leader suggested that SPAR boardmembers get up and stand by the bucket they felt was most important, 3 of the four room corners had the majority of boardmembers standing in them. Alex stood alone, briefly, in the 4th corner.

...and was crucified shortly thereafter.

[jbm32206]

We've already posted and submitted our questions. As for quieting and/or calming the voicing of our concerns and outrage...I for one, will not be silenced. I think it's absolutely shameful that such an outstanding board member was placed into an unfair situation which resulted in a resignation. If the board was so concerned about negative perceptions, then they should've taken that into consideration when they didn't hold elections, and didn't decide to hold a question and answer session until there was enough public outcry. The board should feel under attack, as it's being put...they brought this on themselves. I suppose they simply didn't expect anyone to take notice or to speak out about what's going on....well it sure has been getting the attention it deserves.

[zoo]

Here's the answer to BridgeTroll's question, as posted on sparcouncil.org/forums by AlexS (thanks) on Sept 22:

Measurable targets were set for each of the four main categories:

Restore
50 homes or structures in Springfield

Revitalize
Promote four infrastructure projects for Springfield
Complete two high visibility beautification projects
Two hot spots - drugs gone
Promote two high impact developments
Support ten new businesses to open or expand

Engage Residents
2-3 activities per month that bring residents together
2 big events per year that are fundraisers; 1000 plus people

Lead the Organization
Board devlopment
Fundraising
Increase membership to 300 members
Staffing and other expenses

Here a summary of activities based on the above 4 categories.

Restore
Library of information CARE Reports
COA mentoring
HITZ
Historic Preservation Commission monthly
Code Enforcement-site visits, coordination, endangered structure letters
LUZ/Cny Council
Baseline Surveys
Project review for new developments
Office hours - walk-in's and phones
Block Captains monthly meeting and reports Contractors and craftsmen list
Baseline and inventories of spaces

Revitalize
Roundtable monthly meeting with City
SHADCO/JSO
JSO-Direct hot spots, etc.
Block Captains monthly meeting and report
Security Fund
Beautification Fund
Advisor to business and developers on businesses and improvements
Office hours-walk-in's and phone
Newsletters & Website & Marketing tools

Commercial Corridor Program
Coordinator of Metro Edge Market Study
Managing Commercial Outreach Program-take tours, meet, look at space, selling to CB's, facilitate
Marketing strategy and materials
Manage Revitalization Committee
Commercial space revitalization tool kit
Retail Attraction and Deal Making training program
Springfield Area Merchants and Business Association coordination
Metro Edge Market Study Implementation
Leasing Strategy
Clean up program
Education

Engage Residents
Heritage Days
Newsletters
Website
Flyers
October Fest
Community Calendar
Membership Meetings with programs on relevant topics and membership recruitment
Board Meetings
Committee Meetings
Office hours-walk-in's and phones
Support activities of other organizations

Lead the Organization
Board Development
- Committee/Board Meetings should have a quorum
- Regular1y scheduled committee meetings
- Executive Committee meeting between regular Board meetings
Financial Managemen/SPAR Finances
Fund Raising each board member personally responsible
Dues and increasing membership through programs
Contribution letters
Membership meetings
Staffing-paid, volunteer and other
Planning
Training
Office Management-supplies, equipment, etc

[JaxByDefault]

After showing Alex the door, failing to adopt a comprehensive development plan, and too few steps to improve a fiscal transparency (among other things), odds are that there is no way that I will renew my SPAR memberships in 2009. I wish the organization well, but my efforts and money will go to downtown organizations with a better grasp on urban planning.

Trust me, all of the things you mention make me furious as well. However, I have noticed that some of the most influential people on SPAR react poorly in situations like this. I do not want to give the SPAR leadership the excuse to tune out valid and constructive criticism, dismiss legitimate concerns, and justify their governing actions as protectionist. I would hate for us all to be treated to a smoke and mirrors show on the 4th. If the SPAR leadership is going to entrench, get defensive, and brush-off membership concerns, I want those in attendance to see such reactions as unprovoked obfuscation (read: a temper-tantrum).

Cool heads should prevail here. ...if they don't, then the villagers can take to torches and pitchforks.

[jbm32206]

Like you, I've allowed my membership to lapse and will not renew. I have no desire to show support to an organization that has acted in the manner in which this one has. I feel that our chances of getting sincere responses to our questions is already not going to happen. I also feel that this attempt to hold a Q & A about these issues is only because they feel forced to do so, and not because they feel they've done wrong....I really hold little to no hope of actually seeing the current board redeeming itself and doing the right thing. That's evidenced by what happened to Alex. They've pretty much brushed off the concerns, and as I said, feel this Q & A is only an attempt to make it appear they care to listen...but if they truly wanted to do the right thing, then none of this would've happened in the first place. They knew what they were doing, and they did it anyway. I just think they didn't expect any of us to speak up about it.

[sheclown]

...
Trust me, all of the things you mention make me furious as well. However, I have noticed that some of the most influential people on SPAR react poorly in situations like this. I do not want to give the SPAR leadership the excuse to tune out valid and constructive criticism, dismiss legitimate concerns, and justify their governing actions as protectionist. I would hate for us all to be treated to a smoke and mirrors show on the 4th. If the SPAR leadership is going to entrench, get defensive, and brush-off membership concerns, I want those in attendance to see such reactions as unprovoked obfuscation (read: a temper-tantrum).

Cool heads should prevail here. ...if they don't, then the villagers can take to torches and pitchforks.

This, is outside of our control.  Furthermore, you are saying if we behave ourselves, maybe they will listen?  Look at what happened to Alex?  What does previous history tell us?  No.

[jbm32206]

I don't know why anyone is assuming that any one of us would conduct ourselves in anything less than civil or would be out of line. Just because we express our outrage doesn't mean we're out of control.

[AlexS]

This past summer, I sat in a SPAR board planning meeting that had each of the org's 4 strategic "buckets" on easels in the 4 corners of the room. When the independent, non-profit effectiveness leader suggested that SPAR boardmembers get up and stand by the bucket they felt was most important, 3 of the four room corners had the majority of boardmembers standing in them. Alex stood alone, briefly, in the 4th corner.

Maybe you would not mind explaining to everyone what the 4th corner stood for.

[jbm32206]

That would be nice to know, since we're left wondering...although I have a good idea as to which one, knowing the caliber person you are.

[BridgeTroll]

When I posed the question I was hoping everyones positions would be revealed...

[sheclown]

Okay, I'm missing something b/c I see about nine buckets.

[jbm32206]

When I posed the question I was hoping everyones positions would be revealed...

and they should've been, otherwise the answer doesn't really answer a thing....and has only created more confusion and speculation.

[soxfan]

I would like to hear who stood in which corners and why Alex stood in the corner that he did. Alex, in my opinion, has ALWAYS been the type of person to get all the facts possible before making his educated decisions. He ALWAYS puts forth 110% effort into things he believes in. If Alex stood in a corner alone to show his support for something, I guarantee he had a damn good reason for it.. I don't personally know the others on the board, but I do know Alex, and I have stood up with him in the faces of drug dealers and pimps to the point of violence and know without a doubt that if Alex believes in it, He will not back down from his position.  I would support Alex's decisions and ideas no matter what because I know that he does extensive research before he makes his opinions public. Alex is transparent, what you see is what you get. Alex went so far as to defend SPAR to alot of us, when he thought we were in the wrong in our opinions of them. I don't see how SPAR could even think that Alex was bad for them, he didn't speak bad about the organization to anyone, all he did was try to resolve differences between them and the people they are supposedly representing. All Alex was doing was what he and all the others on the board are SUPPOSED to do, REPRESENT THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION.. How can SPAR accurately represent it's members when their members are kept completely in the dark?  TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL!!!! NOT NEGOTIABLE!!! Not if they're expecting to get any of my money or support..

[FinnegansWake]

Actually SoxFan you do (did) know some of the other Board members. Me and Dan are two. Thomas Love, Jay Fisher.

And for the record, there were (are) Board members who totally disagree with not having elections. And do not understand why Alex was treated the way he was. I am, or was anyway, one of those peeps. I really liked having Alex on the Board.

There is a mix of people on the SPAR Board. Young, old, wealthy, not so wealthy, business owners, and workers. Hope you all get to know them at the December meeting.

Phil

[zoo]

AlexS stood in the Restore corner. And the reason I indicated he did so "briefly" is because when he saw he was alone, he quickly joined a different corner. I don't remember which one, but I hope he'll come on and post which bucket came second for him (if he remembers).

Because I am doing this from memory, and was studying what was happening with the Restore bucket, I don't recall which other boardmembers stood in which corners. Best I remember is that Engage Residents and Revitalize were approx equally split as most supported, and Leadership of the Org in a close 3rd.

I agree SPAR should be transparent, and in my experience it has been. I am not a boardmember, and the reason I attend meetings, stop by the office, and offer my volunteer involvement is because I don't expect transparency to be delivered to my doorstep.

...failing to adopt a comprehensive development plan,...

The strategic directions AlexS posted on SPAR's site, and I subsequently posted on this thread, are the basis of SPAR's adopted comprehensive development plan. It has the support of the majority of SPAR boardmembers, and its creation incorporated advisement by Springfield's residents, business owners and development interests, civic representatives, and experts in the areas of urban sociology, redevelopment and planning.

It was clear at that meeting AlexS was in the minority on the board, and his desired direction was not as much a priority for the organization as it was to him. Personally, I like Alex and respect his attempts to bridge the gap, b/c if there is one thing this thread proves, it's that different priorities/opinions exist in Springfield (not news to most).

I'm hopeful AlexS is offered a board seat on the new Springfield CDC, whose strategic direction and focus should be structure restoration. He'll do a great job!