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Oct. G&D

VCCA National elections;

Sure hope members read carefully the short burbs on candidates and vote.

Some are and some aren't and I know it is not required that candidates be on Chatter, however it sure helped me in casting my vote when I 'know' some of the candidates because of Chatter discussions in the past.

Good point, Louis C. And remember everyone, we have until December 1, 2006 to get those ballots in so there is plenty of time to ask questions of the candidates and review some of the previous posts here on Chatter.

I didn't get my G&D yet so I don't know who's on the ballot.

I'll surely second (or third) that invite to all candidates.

Hey Louis C. Do you still have that list of prepared questions for these guys to mule over?
Without looking like they are campaining, maybe they should present their thought on some of them.

I wonder if...

As the yet un-officially recognized "Chat Chapter", we might sponsor a debate between the candidates??????

...mmmm....could it work?

Ray, For me, for this election only, knowing some of the people running because they have been involved during the past few years in Chatter discussions I had no problem figuring out how to vote.

Next election could be different however...so we still need (IMHO) the motion that shows up in the Oct. issue that wants "candidates to give answers to set questions in the G&D" to pass the BOD. I knew how to vote but what about the members that only can go on that short burb in the G&D and aren't on Chatter.

IMHO I think all future candidates should think long and hard about getting involved with Chatter so their views get to be known by the membership.

Great information Lou. Now I can hardly wait to see the October G&D!!!

As I wont get the relevant articles until well after the election could someone email the appropriate information prior to the election.
My email address is in my profile.
Tony

Good point Tony, even the short blurbs should be posted somewhere here on Chatter or the VCCA home site for everyone to read and especially the members who get the G&D late.

Since the election post card for voting is in the Oct. issue will you even get a chance to vote Tony?

Looks like we need a way to let overseas members vote...IMHO. Making someone your Proxy would be a quick and easy way if the BOD or whoever is in charge of elections would allow it.

Louis
I doubt I will get the october issue in time to vote that is why I requested the relevant information be emailed. July is the last issue of G&D that has arrived as a indication.
Another problem that may occur is my membership renewal will probably lapse before I get notification if it hasnt already, if that has a common due date, I joined January this year.
Tony

Tony check out Dan's site, we are both in the lobby right now.

Maybe some others can join us to test it out...

Wow........what a tremendous reason to have electronic voting.

Any candidates looking in here??? How about a response to address this problem?

Tony,

As I recall Shirley Whitesell gets the renewal notices out about 4 - 6 weeks before the dues money is due. I still wind up sending my check just before the dead line.

The 4 - 6 weeks is "US" timing. Not sure how it will go with you way down under.

How's the Spring weather??

Bill.

3 months for the G&D to get down under...wow.

Wonder what 1st class is?

Coming UP from Australia I could see taking 3 months but going DOWN to Australia should go faster. Not? :confused:

Jerry
The problem with the from US to Aus is it travels against the wind to get here.
It takes 13 hours flying time from Sydney to San Francisco and 14 hours to return, been there done that.
Tony

Ok Tony if it takes all that time from there to here how come you are always so far ahead of us!
After all it is already the next day "Down Under?

And if the world ends tomorrow will it happen to you yesterday?

I wanted to respond to a couple of these items.

Yes, some board members (and therefore candidates) are in here regularly. But it is forbidden in the By-Laws for us to do anything that could be seen as 'campaigning.'

By-Laws, Section 5.7.1 states:

"Candidates for the VCCA Board of Directors must refrain from any and all campaigning including, but not limited to, the distribution or mailing of campaign materials, letter writing, e-mailing, POSTING ON WEBSITES, or calling members to solicit votes." (my capitals)

This is why none of us are posting any opinions or comments about this subject. It even makes me a little nervous to post this basic information.

On another matter, the problem of this terribly slow delivery to international members has been discussed by the Board more than once, unfortunately without meaningful action being taken. It so happens that it is being discussed by email again right now.

Don Williams
National Board Member

Candidates are free to answer questions from members that ask, by email, telephone or written letters. This has been the case before and is the same now. I expect many candidates have received a lot of email messages and could possibly be snowed under, but I would expect an answer before the deadline. Many of the BOD members receive several phone calls and letters each day, at least I would hope they do.

How to contact them, well for some of them it isn't too easy, (those that aren't already on the Board) you will need to look them up in the G&D 2005 Directory, Then you may even have to do a search engine I use Yahoo! because it works for me. I do know I would be reluctant to vote for a candidate that wasn't easy to contact. But do as you please, not as I do.

I am not one to vote early, I wait until I see and hear as much information on the candidates as possible, also I only vote Once a year , not often, as the topic of this thread suggests!
We already have elected Directors for the Area#3, Area #6, and Area #10 because they are running unopposed!

Congratulations:

Leigh H. Wilcox, Oregon
Clay C. Perrine, Texas
Kenneth Farley, Virginia

Candidates can't:

BUT they can:

*****

"...vote often" means to vote every time there is an election, that means ANY and ALL elections where you are a qualified elector.

Thanks for that information ChevyGuru, but it doesn't seem fair to the candidates or the general membership to restrict candidates and members from asking a question on this site and not allowing the candidates to answer here. What's the difference whether I post a question for the candidates here, or if I telephone, email or write to each of the candidates individually with the same question? This chat site is just another form of communication.

I'm not sure what the intent of By-Laws, Section 5.7.1 was really meant to accomplish, but I don't see answering a question on this site as a violation of that Section. To me that section doesn't say don't answer questions, it says don't call me, write to me, email me or post on a website anything that could be construed as saying "VOTE FOR ME". The only "campaigning" the candidates are allowed to do then, is to enter thier 150 words or less in the G&D.

And if this is really true, I understand why none of you can answer this or express your opinion about it here.

IMHO this is pretty sad.

Remeber these questions?
Up dated list:

Suggestions for rationale and questions so far.

Rationale:

Rationale would be to help members make better intelligent choices when voting for candidates. IMHO

Questions:


#1. What do you think the role of this Club's web site should be?

#2. What do you think the role of this Club's magazine should be?

#3. What do you feel are your qualifications to be a member of the BOD?
Please provide VCCA and non-VCCA qualifications.

#4. What specific experience do you have on other Boards or positions of authority, in managing a
business or other group activity (business, public sector, religious, or whatever)?

#5. Do you support a budget process for the VCCA? Why? (Or Explain).

#6. Do you feel that the BOD size should be reduced, expanded or remain the same? Please explain.

#7. Should the VCCA Chatter site be open to VCCA members only?

#8. Should the VCCA library be put into the AACA library? Why or why not.

#9. Would you be able to attend the BOD meetings?

#10. How much experience do you have with ”˜Not for profit’ associations?

#11. How much experience do you have in working with Team's of Volunteers?

#12. What experience do you have "occupationally" or personally that may aid VCCA?

#13. Do you have experience working with 8,000+ people or more?

#14. In what ways do you feel you can contribute to VCCA?

#15. Are there any specific base qualifications for a VCCA position? Explain.

#16. Do you think the candidates answering questions from the membership is a good idea or not? Why?

#17. Would you be in favor of the using the VCCA web site to complete and maintain an Electronic membership list?

#18. Would you be in favor of the using the VCCA web site to enable payment of dues and purchases from National & the Regions for their fund raising efforts?

#19. Would you be in favor of using Electronic communications to the Tech Advisors?

#20. Would you be in favor of using Chevy Chatters or the VCCA site to handle a variety of duties? For example; registering for tours and meets, getting vendor spots, etc.

Ken, you said it perfect…I agree 100%.

I also assume the intent of the BOD was that they did not want mass mailings of campaign stuff going to members not against candidates answering questions from their fellow club members. IMHO

Actually, I think The Board of Directors didn't want wealthy candidates to wage an expensive campaign with magazine adds and mass mailings and end up "Buying" a position on the BOD.

There are always pros and cons to having regulations that attempt to control everyones rights to equality when running for an elective office. I think this "Anti-campaigning" rule is basically a good rule for our club.

I dont think answering questions on this forum is any different to answering the same questions by any other form of delivery.
Tony

I don't think there is any difference either Tonyw,

If I ever go Wackyer and run for the VCCA National Board I will be sure to post my answers to questions here, others are free to conduct their campaign as they choose.

It may be a poor choice for members to elect a crazy person to a National Board, but maybe a Wacky one would be OK?

:p