RE: Robert's Rules/Board Meeting

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

As the other person who voted "no" last night (and am sort of equally
confused as to how we suddenly voted a proposal in so quickly without any
real discussion), I have yet another difference of opinion to add here.

I had always understood the philanthropy project to involve more than just
giving money to some outside group.  The examples I had always heard
involved one or more members of the club actually being involved in the
project itself.  This notion that we just "give money"  doesn't feel right
to me in the context of the project.  If the philanthropy project was the
same as "give money to another organization", I can think of others that
would perhaps also fit this bill, such as Project Piaba, or the Lake
Victoria conservation people.

As for the speaker thing: That's what the members want.  That's what the
members come to see.  And Kathy brings up potential speakers at every
board meeting, and we discus the relative merits of them.

My 2 cents.

  - Erik

On Wed, 26 Apr 2000, Frangooles, Bob wrote:

> Well, I guess I have a different opinion on the matter.  When it came to
> allocating the funds for Dave's project it took several meetings because so
> many people seemed unwilling to part with the club's moneys because it was a
> philanthropy project.  It was literally akin to pulling teeth.
> 
> We seem to have very little trouble authoring funds for a long list of
> speakers, including the possibility of flying in the wife of one, but we
> balk at donating a relatively small amount to something that doesn't bring
> us a speaker, book, or other tangible item.
> 
> This is only the SECOND time in the ~6 years I have been involved that the
> club has made some philanthropic contribution.  This make for a total of
> $375 over 6 years.  If philanthropy is not part of our mission we should not
> have it on the agenda.
> 
> Bob 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kathy Olson [mailto:kathy@thekrib.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 8:09 AM
> To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
> Subject: Robert's Rules/Board Meeting
> 
> 
> 
> Hi everyone,
> Overall we covered lots of stuff in approx. 45 minutes of time (started
> the board meeting at 8:45 and ended at 9:30)
> 
> I had one area of concern.  I don't know what Robert's Rules of
> order/debate/meetings are, but I do remember that there is to be a certain
> amount of debate/discussion with each motion, before a final vote.  I feel
> that in our rush to get out, we did not fully debate/discuss Bob's
> proposal for philanthropy donation to the Seattle Aquarium.  I feel it was
> ramrodded through without the proper discussion, and we partially used
> Roberts Rules as justification but in my limited knowledge did not fully
> use them properly, and didn't actually use them correctly.
> 
> I am okay with a vote that goes against what I would personally vote to
> do, but it seemed like that we did not get to do a full discussion on this
> one.
> 
> My support for the club is for the club---speakers, cool projects, things
> that benefit the members and promote the hobby.  I don't buy things at the
> auctions to support giving money free to the Seattle Aquarium.  Dave's
> project is really cool, big fish tanks for the kids to enjoy...promotes
> the hobby.  The Aquarium has been really good to us, and does just charge
> us at cost for the room, so if they know that this is in appreciation and
> goodwill....there is a part of me that sees the good in that...and they do
> have lots of fish tanks  :)
> I think it was wrong that it got rushed through so fast and we didn't get
> to do a full discussion.  There were several things to discuss and vote on
> that....1. Do we donate, 2. How much, and 3. how do we donate?  
> When we talked about Dave's philanthropy project....we discussed that over
> several board meetings.  It did not get brought up and voted on in 5
> minutes.  I think we even discussed how much per year we would
> consider for Philanthropy, but never did do a budget but set it by
> project. THis was the first night this came up and I
> feel it was rushed through......it would have been nice to discuss it
> more, research it, get info...etc.  I think you get the idea.
> 
> On the other note we did get a lot accomplished in lots of other areas.
> 
> I will also talk to speakers and try to itemize expenses, ideas, talks etc
> so everyone has a better idea and we can decide who we may want for next
> year.
> 
> On the budget, we haven't had one in ages.  Right now Scott's school
> sounds pretty intensive and that is where his energy should be (so don't
> do one now).  I was surprised to find out how much the Aquarium cost now
> and etc.....this last weekend Erik went through all the old records
> through the 80's (ie I believe 85-to now) the savings amount was typically
> $1300...I know there were times Steve had done a budget and we were down
> to the final 100's before the auctions.  Now we are doing great.  Our
> expenses are more though.  The Aquarium I think (Scott can correct me) is
> $70-$100 a night depending on how long we are there (so times 10 months on
> the generous end...1,000 a year).  Newletter $80 or so (the last was
> $160), so being generous again 1,000 a year.  So it sounds like 2,000 a
> year budgeted is about what we need to have a meeting (plus fish o month,
> and Hospitality).  Not bad, but not as low as it use to be.  That means
> there is about $3,000 in the bank to do other stuff.  Not bad.
> 
> Just my 2 cents worth.
> 
> Kathy
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com