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Tuesday, March 09, 2010

[AlpacaTalk] Comments on NC,IOE,AOBA BOD,abstaining from a vote

 

I'm more than a bit behind on the discussions on the hot topics related to the NC resigning so maybe some of this has been hashed and rehashed to the point that no one is interested anymore.  If that's the case simply hit the delete key now.  I also can't keep track of who said what on which discussion group so I'm hitting all three with this email.
 
First a disclaimer - I am not a legal mind so anything stated here should be view with that in mind.  Second, I was a member of last year's NC, so I have recent experience that should have some value.
 
The sections of the AOBA bylaws granting authority to the NC for the purpose of assembling a slate of candidates, possibly providing a procedure for candidates to submit supporting narrative as to their qualification for the position (I say possibly since they are not required to do so) conducting the election and reporting the results, can't IMO give absolute and unbridled freedom to the NC to do as they see fit.  Unfortunately the bylaws do not give much direction to what the NC can and cannot do.  That's unfortunate because each NC can then expect to do what it see fit, changing year to year as new NCs see different priorities.  The thing I think MUST be remember is that if the NC requires anything of the candidates or the process that is not specifically granted by the bylaws, they can easily get into areas that the BOD should have not only the right but the responsibility to reign in.  A NC could easily abuse it's limited responsibilities in the absence of some entity having oversight.  Since the bylaws are silent on limits to what the NC can do, there is no other process or entity to exercise that oversight other than the BOD.
 
During my time on last year's NC, more than once I voiced opposition to proposed plans and procedures.  Those oppositions were along the lines of: We have no responsibility for keeping candidates from saying something stupid, not our role,  the voting members will have to sort that out. We have no responsibility for insuring candidates do not put themselves at a disadvantage by something they say or do or chose not to do.  And as I recall at least one time I stated that what was proposed was probably not legal and I wanted to know if AOBA's errors and omissions insurance covers the NC members.  That was pursued with the AOBA office, the answer came back that yes we were covered.  It's interesting that this year, the answer is no, the NC members are not covered.  So was I really at risk last year??
 
IOE - Unfortunately the bylaws' requirements for this position allow for quite a bit of latitude in who can fill that position, mostly only stating who cannot.  Now, this part is very important - what I state here IS NOT directed personally at the recently resigned IOE, Jim Patrick.  Jim may have very well conducted the responsibilities of the IOE masterfully but I have to ask, what is the IOE doing conducting business with the NC?  At simple face value, a relationship between the two certainly raises the appearance of conflict of interest if not impropriety.  The IOE should have zero interaction with the NC, his or her responsibilities being restricted to this (taken from the bylaws):  "The Nominating Committee may appoint an Independent Inspector of Elections, who shall supervise the election, count the ballots, tabulate the results and report in writing to the Membership and the Board of Directors the names of those elected."  Nothing in that allows for interaction between the NC and the IOE and IMO for good reason.  The NC exhibited a serious lapse of good judgement in this one.
 
On a director abstaining from a BOD vote:  Seems there are some getting into quite a twist over this.  Why?  It is wholly improper to cast suspisions on a candidate for doing so w/o knowing the reasons.  What should in fact be a significant concern is when directors should abstain or recuse themselves and they do not.  The membership should be outraged over that but those instance seem to go unnoticed.  Do members not read the BOD meeting mins and if they do, are they unable to put two and two together?
 
I suspect the unfortunate recent turn of events is the result of a NC wanting to do so much more than what they are charged with doing or what is reasonable and not liking the fact that the BODs would not simply go along with them.  They may have had the best of intentions, but IMO probably overzelous.
 
Elden Harms
Token Creek Alpacas
Sun Prairie WI

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posted by Chaddo at 6:08 PM 0 comments

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[AlpacaTalk] looking for a shearer [1 Attachment]

 
[Attachment(s) from Emaly Leak included below]

Hi,

I have a great little alpaca that I'm looking for someone to shear this
spring/early summer. He's very well behaved, but I just don't feel
comfortable shearing him myself (I shear our 5-10 llamas every year on my
own). I'm located just outside Indianapolis, Indiana, and would love to
find someone who would allow me to bring my boy to their farm to be shorn
(I'd prefer to stay within 2 hours of Indy). Anyone shear themselves, or
recommend another shearer that I should contact? Thanks in advance for the
help, Emaly

Emaly Leak

Autumn Hill Llamas & Fiber

Fairland, IN

Llamas, Alpacas, Angora Rabbits

Llamas and Alpacas For Sale, Outside Breedings, and Fiber/Finished Products

www.autumnhillllamas.com

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Attachment(s) from Emaly Leak

1 of 1 File(s)

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Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 12:04 PM 0 comments

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[AlpacaTalk] AOBA - what is it?

 

Sorry, forgot to post a signature line - not having an asbestos suit it may have been a Freudian Slip...:)

Michael

Michael and Margery A. Morack
Greenbriar Farm
Waukesha, WI 262.970.9633 MAM2@wi.rr.com

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Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 3:04 AM 0 comments

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[AlpacaTalk] AOBA - What is it?

 

Recent events regarding AOBA made me pause and reflect upon our expectations of the board and AOBA and I think some have it wrong. Consider what is AOBA really. Is AOBA the Board of Directors? I think we can all agree this is not the case. So then what? Isn't AOBA the members, you and I?

Now let's consider who or what the Board of Directors are. Are they not a group of objective individuals who have taken time out of their lives to give to you and I without compensation, to try to understand what 1,200 individuals would like to see in their industry, and meld that into a cohesive plan that benefits each and every one of us?

Do they set the tenor of AOBA or does the membership do that? Are they a group of distrusting, fearful, and gossip pandering individuals working on little fact and letting fly with accusations, or are they responsible, compassionate, concerned individuals who earned our trust through dedication and fair play in their dealings with each and every one of us?

AOBA is the membership and the membership has a requirement, nay a responsibility to define itself by the conduct of its individuals. The Board of Directors do not do this, although we look to them to lead us, it does not abrogate our responsibility to conduct our individual selves to the same high standard we expect of the Board of Directors and hold ourselves, each and everyone of us to these same high standards.

I expect a lot from the Board of Directors, which is why last year, I read the candidates information, and I talked to the candidates, and reviewed their history and reputation in this industry before I voted. As an individual responsible to vote in the best person for that job, I think the membership voted in some very fine people, people with integrity and a desire to get it right for all of us.

We as members now have a responsibility to conduct ourselves with professionalism and higher moral standards than we expect of our Board of Directors. Why? Because we are AOBA, and it is though our individually combined actions that define who or what AOBA is and represents. If membership is falling off it is because too many have forgotten or missed the responsibility they have to represent AOBA in all actions, thought, and conduct at all times.

Are there exceptions – sure! And like all of us the shining path gets dim from time to time and we have missteps, but patience, kindness, and fair treatment by others toward us is what showed us the missive and redirected our efforts toward a greater good.

The board of directors has a difficult task. They have been asked to lead, direct, and steer this organization. To me it is like a car that stops running and I have to push it off the highway. My first efforts seem like I can never get it moving, and then I feel it give just a little and I have hope and it is moving. Cars are whizzing past at high speed to their own individual tasks and I have an obligation to get my car off the road. Just as I have momentum a pebble may lock against the tire and I need to double my efforts to keep going. And just as I think I got it I find the road is heading uphill. Now if just one motorist would stop to help I might make it. If a football team happens by I know I will make it.

So here is the question: has the Board of Directors got a car they need to get moving by themselves or do they have a football team that just stopped to help them?

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Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 2:59 AM 0 comments