For the record, it should be noted that Dee was responding publicly to e-mail that I sent privately.
I try to maintain a professional tone in my private e-mail (knowing that private e-mail can easily become public). On the other had, I would have refined the message and language more, if I had intended for the e-mail to be public. Having said that, my private e-mail does reflect my experience as an AMSAT member attending parts of several Board meetings. At some point, I will try to write a response to this thread. I have found the messages to date highly informative. -tjs - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dee wrote: > > See my snips... > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Timothy J. Salo [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:48 PM > To: Dee > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] BoD Elections > >> There are no "secret" happenings - it is all out in the open. > > Have you actually been to a Board meeting? Have you heard the pitch about > how you can't talk about anything that you hear during the meeting? I > assume that the chair still gives this pitch at the beginning of the Board > meeting. > > >>>Yes, I have been. I have not heard any statement of secrecy(unless > relevant to legal proceedings). If a negotiation is ongoing for a launch and > they do not want it to be interfered with until it has been exhausted or > come to fruition, I will honor such a request. The full minutes of what is > said and discussed is published for all to see. Again, the BOD meeting is > open for all to attend that are interested enough to find out actions items > being passed around. > > If you attended a board meeting, did you feel welcome? Or, did you feel > merely tolerated. Did the Board reserve a room just large enough for the > board members? Did you have to go find your own chair, if you wanted to > sit? Did you feel that you could eat any of the food that was left over > after the Board ate? > > >>> I felt welcomed at any that I was present for. Some on the board > finally put a face to the name and call. I certainly did not know many > officers except for what I read about them in the mailings. I agree that > there is limited space since they really don't expect a large turnout at a > BOD meeting. (Most is dull, not exciting information but it gives you an > idea of procedures and good information to bring back to local groups via > presentations) I don't go for the food. AMSAT cannot accommodate a free > lunch for onlookers. > > I once asked for a copy(of an agenda) at a Board meeting. You would think I > was asking for the keys to their bank account. > > >>> They had copies when I attended-probably a result of you asking for > one. > > Do you have confidence that you are even aware of all of the meetings of the > board? > > >>>Their monthly phone conferences are summarized in the AMSAT journal > or on the BB or via the ANS. > > In my view, the Board employs a number of subtle techniques to prevent the > membership from knowing about, much less discussing, the activities of the > Board. > > >>>As in any organization, we elect the board to act on to do lists - > investigate - perform reality checks and disseminate information about our > organization because most of us cannot offer time and energy to do so. > > Besides having your ideas heard, I don't think that members are permitted to > speak at board meetings, unless invited. > > >>>Ideas from the general membership are presented at the annual > meeting. While attending one BOD meeting, I was asked "and what & why are > you here?" I promptly told them I was there to "observe and absorb" > information for my many presentations to local Radio Clubs asking me to > attend meetings - part of my Area Co-coordinator Job in NJ - Personally, I > like to hear about any HEO projects, my favorite subject. > --Timothy, once again, attend this years Symposium with a renewed interest > and what you feel should be changed, attempt change. We are only 40 years > old as a group and finding the level you wish AMSAT to be at can directly be > in your grasp. Grab a pen (Equivalent to a computer I guess) and volunteer > for something that we need to have happen - see the Journal! > > -tjs > > > 73, > Dee, NB2F > _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
