Elections

[melcrim]

The elections are almost 3 weeks away and we have vacancies in some of the categories and only one candidate in all the other spots. If your interested or if I'm missing anyone please let me know.

This is what we have so far that I know about.



1. 4WD motoring....Joe MacNamee
2. Canoeing and Kayaking....Tim McGarvey
3. Cross-country skiing
4. Dirt Bike Riding ....gregobrien
5. Fine Arts (e.g., Photography, Painting)....Al Horner
6. Geocaching....Maureen McArdelle
7. Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping....Tom Neigel
8. Historical....Terry Schmidt
9. Horseback Riding
10. Hunting, Fishing, & Trapping
11. Mountain Biking...treedodgingfool - Lisa
12. Natural History Activities (e.g., birding, botany studies, etc.)...Russell Juelg

[gipsie]

Thanks Mel for getting this out there!

[tneigel]

I will mention x-c skiing to our OCSJ section chair.

[russ]

I thought Harry Shallcross offered to take the cross-country skiing position.

[melcrim]

Mar 5, 2011 20:47:14 GMT -5 russ said:

I thought Harry Shallcross offered to take the cross-country skiing position.

Thanks for refreshing my memory Russ. I do remember him saying that.


1. 4WD motoring....Joe MacNamee
2. Canoeing and Kayaking....Tim McGarvey
3. Cross-country skiing...Harry Shallcross
4. Dirt Bike Riding ....gregobrien
5. Fine Arts (e.g., Photography, Painting)....Al Horner
6. Geocaching....Maureen McArdelle
7. Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping....Tom Neigel
8. Historical....Terry Schmidt
9. Horseback Riding
10. Hunting, Fishing, & Trapping
11. Mountain Biking...treedodgingfool - Lisa
12. Natural History Activities (e.g., birding, botany studies, etc.)...Russell Juelg

[russ]

Thanks, Mel!

[hmac]

My name is Hugh Mac Donald and I am interested in the Equestrian spot

[melcrim]

1. 4WD motoring....Joe MacNamee
2. Canoeing and Kayaking....Tim McGarvey
3. Cross-country skiing...Harry Shallcross
4. Dirt Bike Riding ....gregobrien
5. Fine Arts (e.g., Photography, Painting)....Al Horner
6. Geocaching....Maureen McArdelle
7. Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping....Tom Neigel
8. Historical....Terry Schmidt
9. Horseback Riding....Hugh Mac Donald
10. Hunting, Fishing, & Trapping
11. Mountain Biking...treedodgingfool - Lisa
12. Natural History Activities (e.g., birding, botany studies, etc.)...Russell Juelg

[melcrim]

Final call for anyone who wants to run for a spot.

[russ]

Mar 14, 2011 6:49:44 GMT -5 melcrim said:

Final call for anyone who wants to run for a spot.

Thanks for handling this, Mel!

I sure wish we could get the hunting and fishing spot filled.

[gregobrien]

I thought I heard after the last meeting that there are 2 interested parties for a few positions, but I don't see that reflected here? Have any names been missed? I also talked to several people this weekend that have not received a confirmation of their membership application. I don't have specifics - but they were concerned about it.

Russ:

I think this is a limitation of the online format. I know quite a few hunters/fishermen and I've been reaching out to them. I would say 80-90% of them are very active and involved - but don't use the internet AT ALL. I start talking about sign up for the internet message board and then submitting a membership application... and I get a blank stare. They don't mind getting involved - or helping out - but they have no interest in this format.

For that matter, a SUBSTANTIAL segment those that enjoy Wharton could care less what goes on in internet forums.

[jeepinjp]

Are there nominations up and at meeting?

[melcrim]

To my knowledge the list of folks running contains everyone that expressed interest in a position. If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. As far a nominations at the March meeting goes. the bylaws don't address that. I was going to have a spot on the ballot for write ins.

[russ]

Mar 14, 2011 14:02:30 GMT -5 gregobrien said:

... I also talked to several people this weekend that have not received a confirmation of their membership application. I don't have specifics - but they were concerned about it.

I think this is a limitation of the online format. I know quite a few hunters/fishermen and I've been reaching out to them. I would say 80-90% of them are very active and involved - but don't use the internet AT ALL. ...

Good points, Greg. Our bylaws stipulate that people must apply to the governing committee for membership, but they don't stipulate how the governing committee should process those applications. I think most of us on the governing committee feel that, at a minimum, at least one of us should know the applicant well enough to be able to vouch for that person. Evidently, we got a little flood of applications, and it seems the majority of those folks who are applying don't have a sponsor on the governing committee. Obviously, we need to work out a process to handle this, and I have added it to the proposed aganda for this upcoming meeting. Some membership applications will just have to wait.

I will also add to the proposed agenda this issue of internet access. I'm sure that we do not want to exclude anyone just because that person doesn't use the internet!

[gregobrien]

Seems like a catch 22 squared:

If we don't have our membership process 'worked out'... and our bylaws state that you need to be a member to run for a position OR vote... it seems that some serious consideration needs to be put into this BEFORE elections can be held. Membership being an entirely internet based process adds yet another layer of complexity to ensuring this is a fair and equitable organization.

Furthermore - with so many groups represented and no public list of applicants, how can a fair process be established for someone to be 'vouched for'. I am certain that I don't know even a FRACTION of the active NJ motorcycle community at all - let alone well enough to 'vouch for them'?

Also - if I'm reading the Amended Bylaws correctly - it seems the initial governing committee will be SELECTED by the founding members... and then ELECTED for their position in subsequent years? So are we still holding 'elections' as this thread is titled? Or are selections being made?

If we ARE, in fact, going to have an election - a broken membership process sounds alot like voting in Florida. lol.

I assure you, I'm not a fan of complicating bylaw process, but I'm trying to make sure all groups are fairly rooted in this club from the ground floor.

To leave this post on a positive note:
1) I think the flood of applications is the direct result of Keck and Auermuller attending the last meeting. Those waiting to see if this organization was going anywhere just got their signal.

2) Even if these issues take time to work out - it is worth getting it right the first time so the organization doesn't hang itself 5 years from now. Volunteer effort at some place like 1/4 mile really DOESN'T need bylaws at this stage of the game. We accomplish our most crucial tasks right now while tweaking the infrastructure of the organization.