[SJDXA] Fw: [yccc] Major Change to ARRL By Laws proposed by Hudson Div. Director N2YBB

[John Crovelli]

This analysis put together by YCCC member K1IR offers a concise summary of the impact that the Bylaw changes proposed by Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB would have on ARRL Member rights and governance.  I offer it for informational purposes.  GD


---- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Idelson <jim at k1ir.com<mailto:jim at k1ir.com>>
Date: Sun, Dec 24, 2017 at 1:54 AM
Subject: Re: [yccc] Major Change to ARRL By Laws proposed by Hudson Div. Director N2YBB
To: yccc at groups.io<mailto:yccc at groups.io>


This proposal makes no sense at all to me. The rationale 'to make the role more attractive' is weak at best, and a smokescreen for a more insidious motive at worst. I encourage my Director and all other Directors not to support these motions.

  1.  The proposed change in structure enables a simple majority of directors to further 'stack the deck' in their favor by recruiting and electing officers who are ideologically aligned with their majority views. Such a super-majority would effectively quash any minority position of sitting elected board members. And, as N6TV says, the balance of power in Newington will no longer be reflective of the electoral wishes of the membership.
  2.  The proposed changes will reduce the officers' credibility and effectiveness as executive leaders of the organization. Currently, the officer roles emphasize executive leadership of the Board and the Executive Committee over the taking of advocacy positions on the various policy issues being addressed by the Board. Voting rights/obligations will put the officers in the position of advocating for policy positions. They will be subject to internal lobbying by elected board members and other external influences. It will no longer be possible to expect any level of impartiality in carrying out their roles as chair of the Board and Executive Committee.
  3.  The proposed changes don't put the officers under the scrutiny of the Ethics and Elections Committee. So, while a candidate for Division Director can be blocked by the Ethics and Election Committee under By-Law 41, a candidate for any of the elected officer positions would not be subject to those same E&E Committee standards and approvals.
  4.  The proposed changes will increase the level of energy wasted on internal jockeying for power at the expense of the focus we need to have on the important external threats and opportunities we face as a community.

There is one aspect of the proposal that I actually agree with. N2YBB proposes to amend By-Law 37 to allow Vice Directors to be appointed as members of the Standing Committees. As far as I know, Vice Directors currently have no formal responsibilities other than assisting and filling in for their Directors, as needed. Let's put them to work.

I'll close by saying, once again, that this proposal is for big change without big justification. I see no benefits and more than enough negatives to make this very unappealing. Add to that a high likelihood of unintended consequences, and this proposal should find itself DOA.

73 Jim K1IR


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