SPAR revolt?

[jbm32206]

Posted by Jaxbydefault:
SPAR Revitalization Strategy Open House
On December 16, 11 AM to 2 PM (at the SPAR building), the community is invited to the SPAR Open House to see the recommendations and maps that represent SPAR's draft revitalization and leasing strategy. At that time you will be invited to comment and make suggestions concerning the draft strategy. From the SPAR Weekly Update, 12-05-08.

The problem with this is, those of us that work during the day cannot attend.

[sheclown]

perhaps the leasing strategy and the draft could be posted on SPARs forum?

[jbm32206]

Just like they've posted the open positions for the board.....which they said they would, but I've not seen it yet. It shouldn't be that difficult to do.

[strider]

In their defense, it was indicated that the board was being told by the Governance Board what was open and who was needed at tonight's board meeting.  Perhaps they will post after that? We might all know this if they had posted the agenda for tonight's meeting as they seemed to indicate in the answers they handed out that they do......

[jbm32206]

So now they're going to hold elections on January 15th, yet the applications and/or resumes are to be in the office by the 5th? Boy, that really gives membership time to get to know those running, doesn't it? I'm also curious as to why they need a pastor/rabbi or any faith-based community liaison...for what purpose would this help with the mission? Just what mission are they on?

SPAR is soliciting nominations for specific board of director positions. The specific skills needed are those with backgrounds in accounting; commercial banking; fundraising; a church pastor, rabbi or faith-based community liaison. SPAR is looking for applicants who have these specific skills and understand what it means to serve on the board and to be accountable to the mission and needs of the organization.

SPAR will hold an election on the 15th of January at the General Meeting. Applications and resumes must be submitted by January 5, 2009

http://www.sparcouncil.org/

[strider]

Well, I went ahead and put my name in for a position on the SPAR Council.  I tried to deliver a resume today in person, but the door was locked so I just shoved it through the door so someone should get it first thing.  So, who else has "thrown their hat in the ring"?

Of course, as some may not qualify per their matrix, just because you say you want to won't mean you will be on the ticket. I am not clergy, and while I am not officially in fundraising, it is something I have done a lot of.  Still, there should be four positions minimum on the ballot if they do the right thing.  I certainly could qualify for either Claude's or Barbara's slots if they have them stand for re-election as they should. Besides, has anyone seen the matrix as it was applied to the existing board?  Are they qualified per the matrix for the board either?

The board meets next Monday and will make these decissions and then a vote on Thursday.  It should prove interesting.  We will get to see if the executive committe will do the right thing or simply continue to disregard the parts of the by-laws that do not meet their needs and wants as they have been so far.

[Dark Knight]

COOL , I think you would be an asset to the community . Best of luck.

[sheclown]

a post from SPAR forum from Strider:

Re: SPAR board election 2008
Quote:
Four applications have been received for the three open SPAR Board of Director positions. The applications are being reviewed by the Governance Committee and recommendations will be made to the full board at the January meeting on Monday 1/12/09. In order to promote an open discussion and questions relating to the candidates credentials as outlined in the resumes, this will be a closed meeting. No other business will be conducted. The Slate of Candidates will be presented for approval to SPAR Members at the SPAR General Meeting on Thursday January 15th 7PM at Karpeles Museum.



OK, so I just got around to reading this today and hmmmm, the discussion about which of the four people who would like to be on the SPAR Council board is going to make it to the actual ballot is a closed meeting? So no one but the board, who has proven incapable of following it’s own by-laws, gets to even hear the discussion? And from this announcement, it seems like we, the membership, very well may not get to know who is even on the ballot until we show up for the election itself?

I suppose that they could post the minutes of the Board meeting, like they sort of indicated they did at the recent Q & A session, but gee, I never saw anything posted from the last ones except the “unofficial” ones posted by a quest, and quests are not allowed at this very important meeting.

Are the actions all of us have been discussing here on the various forums really the actions you would expect out of selfless, hard working volunteers who are honest and have integrity? Or are these actions the actions of people who have their own agenda and are taking steps to insure those they do not like and those who may have opinions that differ from their own are excluded from any decision making process.

The only reason to exclude the general membership and community guests from this very important meeting is to insure they can corrupt and control the process. I am posting this to challenge the Executive Committee to prove me wrong. Post that this meeting is now open so the membership you are supposed to represent can see how you make this very important decision and can begin to have some faith that you recognize the fact that you are here to represent them, not yourselves.

[jbm32206]

That's just wrong...and to me, nothing has changed...their behind closed door meetings just fuel suspicions.

[Dark Knight]

I was at the last board meeting , they did not appear comfortable with guests . I sensed a lot of tension when I walked in , I think guests were not expected .

[jbm32206]

No, they don't like guests they don't expect...I've always gotten that impression whenever I've attended meetings too

[Pi]

decisions made. only 3 listed for 3 open positions so we either vote yea or nay? there really isn't any getting-to-know-the-candidate needed since this is who was picked. reminds me of my timeshare board elections.

In response to the following notice delivered to SPAR Members by email via SPAR Weekly Update on December 12 & 19 2008 and posted on the official SPAR Website homepage, SPAR received several applications.

“SPAR is soliciting nominations for specific board of director positions. The specific skills needed are those with backgrounds in accounting; commercial banking; fundraising; a church pastor, rabbi or faith-based community liaison.  SPAR is looking for applicants who have these specific skills and understand what it means to serve on the board and to be accountable to the mission and needs of the organization. SPAR will hold an election on the 15th of January at the General Meeting.  Applications and resumes must be submitted by January 5, 2009. “

Upon review of the applications and resumes received, The SPAR Board of Directors recommends the following three individuals for approval by the membership to fill the three vacant board positions.

1) Church pastor, rabbi or faith-based community liaison

Pastor Reginald Leroy Gundy is Pastor of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and has extensive experience in community and civic organizations, counseling, coaching and special events. 

2) Accounting; commercial banking

Michael Acampora is Sr. Vice-President at Raymond James and Associates and an Investment Advisor with a background in accounting and business banking.

3) Fundraising

Marguerite Feldmann brings strong fundraising, communication credentials and volunteer recruitment experience from 30+ years work with the American Red Cross and other non-profit associations.

SPAR Members in good standing as of noon on Thursday 1/15/09 may vote to approve/not approve the slate of candidates either at the SPAR General Membership Meeting on Thursday January 15th 7PM at Karpeles Manuscript Museum, or by submitting an absentee ballot in person during regular business hours (9AM-3PM) at the SPAR Office no later than Noon on Thursday 1/15/09.

[jbm32206]

This isn't an election....what a joke

[downtownparks]

you are correct. This is the appointed to be voted on by the board members. Someone should ask them to release the names of the people running for the open seats that are to be voted on by membership.

[strider]

But you are not correct:

Based on this:
Quote:
The Slate of Candidates will be presented for approval to SPAR Members at the SPAR General Meeting on Thursday January 15th 7PM at Karpeles Museum.

And this:
Quote:
Upon review of the applications and resumes received, The SPAR Board of Directors recommends the following three individuals for approval by the membership to fill the three vacant board positions.

Then this:
Quote:
SPAR Members in good standing as of noon on Thursday 1/15/09 may vote to approve/not approve the slate of candidates

To clarify from the “unofficial Board Meeting minutes: Found over at MetroJax if nowhere else.


Quote:
Governance Committee has determined that it has 10 directors and needs 5 more. They intend to fill three by appointment and 2 by election.

The three appointees will be 1.) an educator 2.) a treasurer 3.) a marketing person. Announced and voted on was the educator position. Linda Fife Shannon, of FCCJ will be one of the appointees. No mention was made about particulars of the other two.

The elected positions will be filled by election on January 15th. By Monday Jan 5th, all names for nominees must be submitted to the governance committee. On Monday January 12th board meeting, the governance committee will give a report to the board and the board will vote on nominations. There will be a general election on January 15th.


Notice that they have not included a marketing person in their latest round of “appointments”. Does that mean they have appointed someone already and not told us? And, as one person had been appointed already, then assuming the marketer has been appointed, that only leaves three left to put on the board. Also, they very generously “gave” the membership an extra board member to vote on. Of course since we are basically just approving their “appointments by default”, they really haven’t given us members anything. At all. JBM32206 is correct, it isn't an election at all.