SPAR General Membership Meeting
December 4th at 7pm.
SPAR Building (1321 N. Main St.), downstairs.
For more information, please contact the SPAR Council office at 904-353-7727.
An email recently sent to Metro Jacksonville:
Quote“Ok, I know this is a busy week for all with Art Walk, First Friday, Home Tour and all of the other holiday season crazies. BUT, this Thurs evening, at 7pm, downstairs at the SPAR building, there will be a very important meeting for our community.
SPAR is hosting a Q&A session to answer questions raised about its bylaws/governance and many of the strategies/projects it is pursuing on the neighborhood's behalf. This meeting will be very informational about what SPAR does to help the neighborhood, as well as where gaps exist. Gaps are just as important to know, as many of Springfield's residents have skills, and an interest in using those skills to help the community progress!
SPAR also needs to hear from residents so that when an issue arises that requires a stance from the neighborhood, it can be certain it is representing the views of the resident majority on that particular issue.
Please find the time to attend and be heard - the future of Springfield is dependent upon your input!"
Interesting...
Well they just told us how they are going to nullify our concerns by the lack of participants at tomorrows meeting.
Huh...what's up?
This is what I am thinking that email is really about.
“Ok, I know this is a busy week for all with Art Walk, First Friday, Home Tour and all of the other holiday season crazies...
OK here is your excuse for not attending.
SPAR also needs to hear from residents so that when an issue arises that requires a stance from the neighborhood, it can be certain it is representing the views of the resident majority on that particular issue.
Low attendance must mean our concerns are not valid.
Four to six weeks they report, because of the low turn out we find the views of the few are unfounded.
I wonder why that email wasn't sent out to all of us....or why it wasn't posted on the spar forum. Really does make you wonder, doesn't it?
I seem to remember it came from facebook. I will double check.
Edit: Yes, it did.
It was asked that we put it on Metro Jacksonville for everyone to see. Since we already had the meeting on our calender, I posted the email in this thread.
SPAR can't win. First they "aren't representing the residents", then when they try to make sure everyone that might want to participate or give their opinion can, they are conspiring to invalidate input. Ridiculous.
Quote from: zoo on December 03, 2008, 10:07:04 PM
SPAR can't win. First they "aren't representing the residents", then when they try to make sure everyone that might want to participate or give their opinion can, they are conspiring to invalidate input. Ridiculous.
Are you really serious? SPAR has taken away the ability for it's members to vote in new officers, places people that are not eligible in office, is totally out of touch with the majority of people that actually live within Springfield and frankly has no interest in what all but a few want anyway. Ridiculous is the fact that so many have no problem with what they are doing. So did you vote in this past presidental election? Why? Why not let the people that were already in there put whoever they want in the the vacant slots, after all they know what you need better than you.
Quote from: 32206livedraps on December 03, 2008, 10:59:05 PM
Quote from: zoo on December 03, 2008, 10:07:04 PM
SPAR can't win. First they "aren't representing the residents", then when they try to make sure everyone that might want to participate or give their opinion can, they are conspiring to invalidate input. Ridiculous.
Are you really serious? SPAR has taken away the ability for it's members to vote in new officers, places people that are not eligible in office, is totally out of touch with the majority of people that actually live within Springfield and frankly has no interest in what all but a few want anyway. Ridiculous is the fact that so many have no problem with what they are doing. So did you vote in this past presidental election? Why? Why not let the people that were already in there put whoever they want in the the vacant slots, after all they know what you need better than you.
Is this Stephen, Strider or Sheclown with the same negativity?
No, it just shows that there's more than one person upset with how things are handled
Quote from: zoo on December 03, 2008, 10:07:04 PMSPAR can't win. First they "aren't representing the residents", then when they try to make sure everyone that might want to participate or give their opinion can, they are conspiring to invalidate input. Ridiculous.
So you're telling me that spar is now posting on different forums, to allow more people to respond, all because they really want to know how and what everyone feels?
There is a couple of groups in Sprignfield that use facebook. It is not "SPAR".
My only issue with this is the meeting was moved several times, and I know a couple of us are out of town and will not be able to make the meeting (not to mention all of the above things going on at the same time). This is a poor time to have this important meeting....too bad some of us will miss it and our concerns may be dismissed. If the original meeting scheduled for October had been held many more of us would have been able to attend.....<SIGH>
Please have a list of the folks who are unable to attend, but wanted to, available for SPAR to follow up with (with contact info). Or have them contact SPAR through the email sparoffice@sparcouncil.org, so the org can follow up with them.
I believe the biggest issue right now is "majority". As I've referenced before in earlier posts on the SPAR Revolt thread, the only way majority will be known is to take a tally, which hasn't been done.
As I asked in the very first meeting at 3 Layers, if the Strider/Sheclown/JBM group gets a chance for representation, and discovers their opinions are not the majority (candidates don't get elected, or once elected, are out-voted on the board), will the group be satisfied? All answered "Yes", but I suspect it will just lead to more nonsense about conspiracy. Or maybe more insults toward supportive SPAR members or those on the board who are just a bunch of mindless, manipulated fools.
A loud and persistent voice does not a majority make.
Quote from: zoo on December 04, 2008, 07:45:06 AM
Please have a list of the folks who are unable to attend, but wanted to, available for SPAR to follow up with (with contact info). Or have them contact SPAR through the email sparoffice@sparcouncil.org, so the org can follow up with them.
I believe the biggest issue right now is "majority". As I've referenced before in earlier posts on the SPAR Revolt thread, the only way majority will be known is to take a tally, which hasn't been done.
As I asked in the very first meeting at 3 Layers, if the Strider/Sheclown/JBM group gets a chance for representation, and discovers their opinions are not the majority (candidates don't get elected, or once elected, are out-voted on the board), will the group be satisfied? All answered "Yes", but I suspect it will just lead to more nonsense about conspiracy. Or maybe more insults toward supportive SPAR members or those on the board who are just a bunch of mindless, manipulated fools.
A loud and persistent voice does not a majority make.
Let's define representation and how to achieve it for the purpose of this discussion. We believe it is: 1)The stepping down of any "board members" that, according to the by-laws, are no longer legally on the board. 2)Elections held now for replacing those board members and 3)Changes made so that the organization can and does represent the community as a whole. What is your definition?
Let me correct this statement: "(candidates don't get elected, or once elected, are out-voted on the board), will the group be satisfied?" That has never been the main issue here. It is the
lack of elections, the executive boards
failure to follow the by-laws that is being discussed. In fact, this statement more closely follows
Louise DeSpain's view of things as she told me in a phone conversation that that was one reason they wanted more appointments - they had a nieghborhood woman who does marketing on the ballot and she didn't get elected so someone she/ they wanted and needed on the board didn't get elected.
I will state here that if SPAR Council members that are not legally on the board step down, if the rest of the board hold elections properly now, then I believe that the membership and the community will have been given it's voice and regardless of the outcome of the properly held elections, I will stop complaining about these issues. Does not mean there will not be another issue down the road.
So it would appear that you believe people should never me concerned when an organization with a voting membership, without notice, appoints someone that is not eligible to be an officer and then eliminates the option of it's members to vote?
From what I have read, it would seem that the general cynicism is whats being commented on, not what rights members should or should not have.
Hello...
I'm kinda new to SPAR and don't exactly know how this meeting will be different from the general meetings that i have attended.
Can somebody fill me in?
How many people are expected to be there? What will be the format? Is it at the SPAR office?
Thanks a lot!!!!!!
Quote from: fsu813 on December 04, 2008, 10:54:34 AM
Hello...
I'm kinda new to SPAR and don't exactly know how this meeting will be different from the general meetings that i have attended.
Can somebody fill me in?
How many people are expected to be there? What will be the format? Is it at the SPAR office?
Thanks a lot!!!!!!
In the resent past, most SPAR Council general meetings have been a show and tell session more than anything else. Some say that is the way the "membership" wanted it. I can't say one way or the other except to comment that if something important is going on in the community, the organization owes it to it's membership and the community is says it represents to discuss that issue at a general meeting. This meeting tonight is directly in response to some of the membership and board members requesting a meeting to discuss a few important issues.
Those immediate issues are the lack of elections, the appointments of new board members and the fact that the current board doesn't seem to want to follow it's own by-laws. Now that this meeting is going to include Dr. Gaffney, our city councilman, and other people from the city, we are not exactly sure what this meeting is really going to be about. I wouldn't think an organization would want city people in a meeting to discuss internal problems, but we shall see.
As to the format, all questions had to be submitted before hand so that normally means no new questions from the floor. If that's true, it will be a Q & A session in name only. We have also been told question can be taken from the floor, so, again, we will have to wait and see.
Yes, the meeting is at the SPAR Council office on Main Street - parking will not be easy - and is at 7:00 PM. How many will be there? Hopefully a lot, but who knows?
Hope to see all of you there tonight. Express your concerns one way or the other. You do not have to be a member to come to this meeting and have an opinion. SPAR Council says it represents the entire community so if you live here, work here or own something here, you deserve to have a voice and you need to come out and use it. I do not know if the only “advertising†this meeting has had is here on the web or via E-mail….hopefully it was sent out to the community and at the very least, the membership, if they are going to use this meeting to judge if the majority wants them to conduct themselves in the manor they have been.
How about this?
Everyone come to the meeting prepared to listen.
Both sides that is.
Open minds.
I know I have two questions I'd like to get clarification on.
Phil
So Phil.. Did they get answered?
I wanted to go, but I was out of town, but have heard from others I didn't really miss anything?
Not everything was really addressed...and questions pertaining to what the issues were, regarding the board and lack of election...Mouton said that there will be an election, that they'll start taking nominations (for vetting via the governance committee) and I believe that nominations may start being taken as of Monday at the next meeting...wasn't real sure about that...
The only question I was able to get in and answered, will the open positions be posted...he said yes. As of yet, I've not seen them posted anywhere....and when asked about current positions and term expirations, we were more or less told to discuss that with him directly...of which I was left with the feeling of being cut off and dismissed.
Quote from: uptowngirl on December 06, 2008, 08:57:02 AM
So Phil.. Did they get answered?
I wanted to go, but I was out of town, but have heard from others I didn't really miss anything?
Sorry UTG, I saw the other posts first and got smarmy with you in my responses. :(
Some of the questions were answered. The ones not answered were provided with a handout. I thought the meeting was a good FIRST step. It was not perfect, but at least the SPR peeps got to talk a little. And there was beer at Shanty Town later, so that's always good...
Personally I am looking forward to Monday night and hearing which positions (skills matrix) are open for election.
Phil
Quote from: FinnegansWake on December 06, 2008, 08:19:10 PM
Quote from: uptowngirl on December 06, 2008, 08:57:02 AM
So Phil.. Did they get answered?
I wanted to go, but I was out of town, but have heard from others I didn't really miss anything?
Sorry UTG, I saw the other posts first and got smarmy with you in my responses. :(
Some of the questions were answered. The ones not answered were provided with a handout. I thought the meeting was a good FIRST step. It was not perfect, but at least the SPR peeps got to talk a little. And there was beer at Shanty Town later, so that's always good...
Personally I am looking forward to Monday night and hearing which positions (skills matrix) are open for election.
Phil
And some of us had cake at 3 Layers afterward!
1.) They had the meeting, which is good.
2.) Neighbors showed up, which is good.
3.) Fellowship afterward, which is good.
Like the
lean man says, it's a good FIRST step.
Well that sounds MUCH better than some of the feedback I was getting earlier form other parties that aren;t on this forum!!!!
Monday's board meeting is important.
So just to clarify, after the meeting, Strider slipped out to Shanty to hobnob with those of us who enjoy yeast and barley infused libations, while SheClown siddled on over for sugar and caffeine with a different crowd...
You may have hit a carotid artery of truth, but your politicking like mad. This is why so many are questioning motives and circling wagons.
sigh
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I am a simple woman. You want to know about me? Ask.
Quote from: downtownparks on December 06, 2008, 09:46:16 PM
So just to clarify, after the meeting, Strider slipped out to Shanty to hobnob with those of us who enjoy yeast and barley infused libations, while SheClown siddled on over for sugar and caffeine with a different crowd...
You may have hit a carotid artery of truth, but your politicking like mad. This is why so many are questioning motives and circling wagons.
No offense Dude, ever stop to think that not everyone drinks alcohol. ;)
Thats not really my point. It could have been Holas and Three Layers.
The group at Shanty represented all "sides" possible, in much the same spirit as your typical and ubiquitous SPR cocktail party. Most of us mingled, shook hands, figured out who everyone was on the vairous Jacksonville forum boards, and discussed everything form SPR development to tatoos. Why not give the benefit of the doubt that the kaffeeklatsch was similar in spirit?
Agreed...there isn't always an ulterior motive...sometimes people just want to relax and chat. I would've joined in at Three Layers, but given that it was a work night and having to get up so darned early...I didn't. But had I, there wouldn't have been any other reason than to unwind and chat
Joan, this whole issue has been about ulterior motives. SRG, SPAR, The Halfway house folks. Everyone is questioning everyone elses ulterior motive.
Quote from: JaxByDefault on December 07, 2008, 12:11:07 PM
The group at Shanty represented all "sides" possible, in much the same spirit as your typical and ubiquitous SPR cocktail party. Most of us mingled, shook hands, figured out who everyone was on the vairous Jacksonville forum boards, and discussed everything form SPR development to tatoos. Why not give the benefit of the doubt that the kaffeeklatsch was similar in spirit?
Its a fair point. I just found it interesting.