17 Apr
2014
17 Apr
'14
8:48 a.m.
The website names 3 people that are Boardmembers of ARDC. They are also the only 3
officers. According to the Bylaws these 3 control everything. No one else has any say in
the control of the ARDC. There are no members. Just them. They can allow 2 more people on
the Board, however, since they could remove the new Board members anytime they didn't
like a vote or discussion, it's all illusory anyway. Until the Bylaws are modified to
allow the voice of the users to be heard(via a right to vote) ARDC is just a closed 3
person entity. I too would like to see Bart on the Board. I lean towards his view of
things. Id rather have 4 or 5 dictators than 3(sorry I think I meant
'Directors').
The current Bylaws give 100% of the control of the ARDC to the 3 Directors. I don't
know the history behind it. It is a good way to get things done in a timely manner, but
to have the wishes of the users heard----changes would be needed. The current Bylaws were
written to concentrate power.
Also, Bart, as a Board Member if you wanted to vote at a Regular Board Meeting they would
have to make a Bylaw change so you could attend and vote via electronic communications.
Right now to have your vote counted at a Regular Board Meeting you have to actually be
there or proxy it; but not for Annual or Special Meetings.
An income and expense statement, and a list of transactions would help with transparency.
An Asset Statement only shows so much. My guess is that the existing Board has been
carrying the group financially. The loan on the books suggests that. I thank them for
doing so. Without clear information it's hard to know the needs of the organization.
Publishing the Board minutes and a Budget might open our eyes to the workings of the group
and make more people inclined to donate. We are a large diverse group. There are many
views and ideas amongst us. I'm sure there are some people with deep pockets amongst
us too, if needed.
Hopefully, with more openness, more people will feel inclined to help financially and
with their ideas.
I thank the existing Board members for your dedicated service. You have done a lot.
I hope I haven't offended you. It's just that I have created many nonprofits in
my legal career;but not once have I made one with such a tight concentration of power.
Maybe that's needed with an asset as valuable as the 44 Net, I don't know. It just
seems odd in Amateur Radio.
Anyway, I encourage you to put Bart and another interested person on the Board ASAP.
Sharing the load should make things easier. And you can do it without even having to have
an election;just appoint him/them.
And then just before or at the next Annual Meeting change the Bylaws to allow users to
have a vote in matters via proxy, electronic, or other methods. Heck, a new set of Bylaws
would be good too.
73
Ken
K7ICY
ps I am new to the 44 Net. I don't know your past history. And you might have full
minutes and financials posted somewhere. It's just real late and I'm too lazy to
search them out. Sorry if I'm all wet. Feel free to Flame. All attorneys have thick
skin and the Heat might help get me ready for the Hereafter.
Sent from Samsung tablet