Unofficial SPAR board meeting minutes 12/8

[sheclown]

What about Claude and Barbara. Are they just serving in perpetuity, or are they going to be reappointed? In that case, it would be 5 appointments, and 2 elections, which in my belief is not a good step.

I did not hear anything about Claude and Barbara last night.  They were not mentioned.

[sheclown]

Yes, thanks for the meeting minutes. I was too beat to make it and had homework duty with the Crumbsnatcher..

I would like to suggest (and will by email) that immediately after the Board meeting naming the nominees, those candidates post something on the forums as to their quals, ideas, and why they want to serve. This is similar to what happened in the past and it was good to know more about the nominees ahead of time. Versus last minute information upload at the General Election.

Phil

Names need to be submitted to the governance committee on the 5th.  The governance board will report to the board on the 12th. The board will vote on the nominations.  That gives until the 15th before the general membership vote.

That means three days between knowing who is on the ballot and voting.

[jbm32206]

What about Claude and Barbara. Are they just serving in perpetuity, or are they going to be reappointed? In that case, it would be 5 appointments, and 2 elections, which in my belief is not a good step.

Excellent point Dan...and I feel this is something that needs to be addressed. I also wonder if by appointing 3, and then appointing Claude and Barbara, making 5...doesn't that exceed the appointments the board is allowed to make?

Also, since they seem to want an educator, why must this be an appointed position? There are educators in this neighborhood, so why can't one of us be appointed or elected?

Just as there's people with marketing backgrounds/education (which I, for one also have that too) yet this has to be appointed and not go through the election process...why?

[strider]

I also wonder if by appointing 3, and then appointing Claude and Barbara, making 5...doesn't that exceed the appointments the board is allowed to make?

Actually, the bylaws now allow for appointing everybody so there is no longer the old restriction of four new positions to be appointed.

The only reason to appoint rather than elect from the membership pool is to insure the people they want on the board gets on the board.  Though is does seem that they can also control the elections enough to still accomblish that with an election as well.

[nvrenuf]

When is the announcement coming out to the membership that there are 2 open electable positions?

[AlexS]

Actually, the bylaws now allow for appointing everybody so there is no longer the old restriction of four new positions to be appointed.

The restriction with the 4 positions is still there. But as everything else, probably open for interpretation. :-(
I guess you could also read it that 4 positions are for appointments with specific skills and all others can just be appointed (without needing specific skills).

Article 7 Section 3. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The Board shall have between 10 and 15 Directors.
Up to four positions will be available to allow the Board to appoint members who have specific
skills useful to the community or who may not have been available at the time of the election.
At least 2/3 of the Board members must be residents of Springfield Historic District.

[strider]

You are forgetting this:

Section 4. TERMS AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. The membership shall elect Directors
at the annual meeting. A Director shall serve a term of three years. To ensure experienced
leadership, approximately one-third of the Directorships shall be elected or appointed in alternate
years.

All Directors will be limited to 2 consecutive terms, or no more than 6 consecutive years.

An appointed member may serve a three-year term and be reappointed by the Board or stand
for election for an additional term.

That little "or" makes a huge difference. This actually points out one of the many conflicts that exist in the current bylaws.