[reccom] Proposed Bylaw Change

[David Wheeler]

Hello, fellow members,
 
I am afraid I must demur.  Although I cannot think of two more qualified voting members on the Committee than Mark & Ron, and I do not think we can ever really fill their well-worn shoes until they run again, I think we should be careful before we make this change.  Term limits are crucial in preventing a "clot" of good ol' boys/gals at the top.  If we want to keep things circulating, and make people feel like they can truly be voted off (thus hopefully to try harder), we should have term limits.  I seem to recall being told that the term limits were in part responsible for a Committee membership change some years back that broke the control of a group of people who had sat on records for a very long time, bringing the review process to a virtual halt.  The new folks brought about a rebirth of reviews and motivation.  I was told the renaissance would not have happened without the term limits because the limits allowed fresh blood=>change.  Now, whether or not this story is apocryphal, I think it points to something critical.  Mark & Ron provide a depth to our deliberations that will be missed for two years, but I think we don't want to eliminate the mechanism in our laws that force us now & then to infuse new blood into the corpus sanctum.  By way of an imperfect analogy (I know its limitations, but there is still a point here), remember that a dictatorship always sounds great when the current leader is beloved; but once the system changes, it is hard to get rid of his offspring.
 
I for one, think the pool of knowledgeable/experienced people in Utah is not so shallow as we may fear.  I have great admiration for many of the insights provided by remaining members of the Commitee on records we have reviewed over the last two years.
 
Now, the question really should be, can we convince Mark & Ron to stagger their terms so we always have at least one of them around?  As a consolation, assuming I get elected to another term myself, at least now I will be able to discuss records with Mark prior to the second round.  [For those who would feel more comfortable if I offered up my body & soul to possession by the Venerable Stackhouse, to act as a hollow shell whence issued Mark's wisdom, channeled from the tropical dankness of San Blas, Mexico, this might bring some solace.]
 
David 
 
P.S.  Though I have not been officially notified, I think Mark is now a married man again as of the end of December.  From everything I have heard about the bride, Eli, he is lucky man and may have his attentions elsewhere than empids and juvenile sandpiper molts anyway.  I offer up a cup (of tea, since I am at work) to their health & love (and hopefully a green card).  I know Mark is very happy right about now.


>>> "Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy at comcast.net> 1/2/2008 10:35 PM >>>
Gents,

I support the change to the bylaws, but am uncomfortable with a do-over 
affecting new terms on which we've already voted and that should have begun 
yesterday. I think we should consider changing the bylaws and put potential 
changes into play for next year.

Kris
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Fridell" <rfridell at burgoyne.com>
To: "Utah Bird Records Committee" <reccom at utahbirds.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:50 PM
Subject: RE: [reccom] Proposed Bylaw Change


> Hello All,
>
> Terry wrote "Is it too late to consider this bylaw change given where we 
> are
> in voting to replace them?"
>
> I'm very sorry I've been out of touch and did not address this sooner. 
> When
> I went to the voting page, I was sincerely surprised that neither Ron or
> Mark were on the ballot. I honestly did not realize that the bylaws were
> written to prevent them from remaining on the committee.
>
> If the committee supports the change, and shares Terry and my concerns, I
> would also like to contact Mark and Ron and see if they are willing to
> continue to volunteer their time, and if possible put them on the ballot 
> and
> re-vote.
>
> What do others think?
>
> Rick
>
>
> PS I also realized right after I hit send that letter d. under the 
> proposed
> changes should also be changed to read:
>
> d. THREE or FOUR Members will be up for reselection or replacement each 
> year
> (i.e. THREE in year on, FOUR in year two.)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reccom-bounces at utahbirds.org 
> [mailto:reccom-bounces at utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Terry Sadler
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:03 PM
> To: Utah Bird Records Committee
> Subject: [reccom] Proposed Bylaw Change
>
>
> I support the suggested bylaw change proposed by Rick.   I have been
> fretting about losing the caliber of review given by Mark and Ron.
> While the current candidates to fill their vacancies are knowledgeable,
> they lack the depth of experience that Mark and Ron have provided over
> the years they have served on the committee.
>
> Terry
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