SEASL By-laws change request

capncapo

capncapo

New member
Folks.

Because of the issue concerning our next meeting being held at a place that some of our members have expressed the opinion that they have no desire to go AND because of the fact that nominating and/orvoting for members of the executive board is ONLY allowed to occur on the meeting floor, I have requested that the board present to the membership a proposal to change the by-laws of the club.

I have requested that the proposed changes allow for nominations of and voting for club officers to occur electronically.

I believe that the greater number of members typically are unable to attend meetings on the weekends and the proposed changes will guarantee that their opinions will be heard and their votes will be counted.

If you read the bylaws you will find that electronic voting is allowed for matters like voting for a by-laws change. When it comes to the nomination and election of officers, you must be present at the meeting in order to exercise your right to nominate or vote.

If electronic voting is good enough for something as important as changing the basic framework of the club, I feel that it should be good enough for the nomination and election of it's officers.
 
I will second your proposal Greg, as I completely agree with you. If we cannot amend the by-laws, then might I suggest sending a list of proposed nominees to someone who will be attending the monthly meeting?

I might go, as I'd like to learn more about fragging, but the nomination thing is a seperate issue entirely.
 
In view of the fact that the "suggestion box" was made "unsticky" a few days ago ( shortly after sending the very same request via email ), I would also like to request that someone on the board request that this post be made "sticky" until voted on by the membership.
 
I agree and though I am not easily in favor of a by law change, I do feel we as members are basically being forced into going to a meeting that is in a place we do not want to go for ethical and moral reasons. Even after a lot of us expressed our displeasure at where the meeting was announced to be held, it was decided by the board to hold it there anyway.

Do we go to support the membership of SEASL to a place we chose not to go or do we avoid the most structually important meetings?

Knowing that a lot of the membership here has stated they would not go to Nic's, why was the meeting still scheduled there? Does the input of the membership mean nothing? If only 10% of the SEASL membership is at a nominating meeting, do we think this is an accurate representation of the club's wishes?
 
I agree with the change in the By-Laws. I see no reason why electronic voting should not be allowed. I think we would see a greater number of members participating in the group if everyone's voice could be heard even if they unable to attend an important meeting. After all isn't that what it is all about?
 
I plan on attending next months meeting to pay my dues so I can vote. Anyone want to carpool from the east side? Parking might suck "Delmar"! don't have to stay long either unless well I can accommodate. Nick hasn't done anything to me but I will spend my money elsewhere until we can confirm he has cleaned up his act. Made right with all the wrongs we have heard of. I have had enough of the softy frag demo maybe we could have Jim Craig show us how he frags his acros/SPS and his coral farm.
 
For those wishing a by-law change:

Section 1. Amendments
Paragraph 1: These by-laws may be amended by a majority of the voting membership of the Association. The membership of the Association shall have been notified in writing or e-mail in advance of the meeting at which the proposed change will be voted upon. Voting shall be by written or electronic ballot. The ballot shall be received by the deadline specified on the ballot. The ballot shall be prepared under the supervision of the Executive Committee.

Paragraph 2: Amendments to the by-laws shall take effect immediately and shall be distributed to all members at the next monthly meeting as well as being posted on the SEASL website


So under this rule it would seem that the by-laws can changed and voting via the internet is acceptable. This could be accomplished before the March meeting.

It is up to the executive committee if they wish to listen to the reef community's voice or stay status quo.
 
Not that straight forward. Basically, they have 2 weeks to get together and change the wording, get the word out to all the members and then recieve and count the votes - not nearly enough time. In reading itagain, it looks like the vote has to be held at the meeting - electronic ballots would be counted there.

The membership of the Association shall have been notified in writing or e-mail in advance of the meeting at which the proposed change will be voted upon.
 
I can change the wording for them if necessary. It will take me all of 3 minutes.

I'll even do the emailings. That will take me an evening.

I don't think it will take them too long to count the votes but I'm more than happy to help.

Any other volunteers?
 
You'll also have to send letters to the people who don't have e-mail address and give ample time for them to mail ballots back.
 
I guess we better get busy.

Unless I heard wrong, there was an electronic vote done a few years ago. I believe that it was a special circumstance type thing. I think this would apply.
 
I agree. It is definitely a special circumstance if a bunch of us aren't attending because of moral/ethical concerns about the hosting business. I'm all for an electronic nomination/voting process.
 
In reading the by-laws again, this number seems very low:

Paragraph 3: A quorum to conduct the business of the Association shall consist of not less than one-fifth (1/5) of the voting membership of the Association.

What is the current membership? How many need to be present? If anyone knows current membership numbers I would be interested. Additionally, is this normal for only 1/5th of the membership need be present? I would think for voting matters at least 1/3rd need be present, 1/2 better.
 
heck snail mail would be more acceptable than the process they have now. email would be cheaper - what capo is proposing would make issues a lot easier to solve in a timely manner. These things take time and this is a volunteer effort well their needs to be more volunteers then just ask/create positions/problem solved. I for one think the committee should be larger than the current situation. But, people claim that would be to many head honchos which is confusing as to why you think of them as head honchos when the membership is more in power.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6735559#post6735559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TooFar2Sea

5. SEASL has approximately 70 members with current registration.
Gary Duke
SEASL Membership Chairman
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6810402#post6810402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ramtheory
just ask/create positions/problem solved. I for one think the committee should be larger than the current situation.
Click to expand...

Since this is such a hot topic I decided to start looking at the heirachy of other clubs. I've looked at about 10 so far and it seems they all basically consist of the same basic setup as we do. The difference is is that they have a president and 2 vice presidents instead of one ex. "group." Most have some sort of board of directors and/or committees that consist of members appointed by the top 3 which I think could help us, I've been involved in this club for about 3 years now and we have seemed to have grown very fast in the last year, which is a good thing, I like the current way things are setup up, however some "committes" would be a good idea which the other groups have the president at every meeting of each commette (or one of the Vice Presidents) I think there is some great potential for this club and see a lot of good ideas being brought out lately. As with any changing group changes sometimes need to happen and I'm sure they will. This could be an extremely busy summer :)

Ok I'm finished rambling. LOL

Tom
 
Well, I wasn't going to do it... But since I am the newbie here can someone send me the thread that this "issue" with the meeting site has caused some to not want to go to this guys house.

Thanks
Arlo
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6810789#post6810789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ArloGut
Well, I wasn't going to do it... But since I am the newbie here can someone send me the thread that this "issue" with the meeting site has caused some to not want to go to this guys house.

Thanks
Arlo
Click to expand...


The STICKIES at the TOP of the page always get neglected...if you don't want someone to read something, make it a sticky:lol:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=782016


Dave:)
 
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