Hello Everyone,
Here is Scott's response to Jim's question that I forwarded to him. In
this response it explains why we need to have an election a bit better
than I was able to explain. We will be moving forward shortly thanks to
everyones great response time.
Thanks so much everyone,
Karen in Iowa
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Re: [MTGEN] Resignation and Voting]
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:49:06 -0600
From: Scott Burow <sburow(a)swbell.net>
To: Karen De Groote-Johnson <europatb(a)iowatelecom.net>, Annie G.
<anniegms(a)gmail.com>
References: <49175EE4.60300(a)iowatelecom.net>
Hi Karen:
I've looked at the information provided as to the MTGenWeb situation and
the USGenWeb by-laws and it would be my conclusion that an election
should be held for SC. My reasoning is simple:
The USGenWeb by-laws specifically state that the SC shall be elected by
vote of the LC/CC's of the state. Since you were appointed as ASC,
simply assuming the position under Section 10 (no matter how great the
approval of doing so among the LC/CC's) would circumvent the requirement
for election. That democratic process is a fundamental assertion of our
by-laws and provides the means for a transfer of leadership in a orderly
manner. It demonstrates to all members of the project the legitimacy of
that leadership.
Additionally, Section 10 only provides for the ASC to serve as SC 'in
the interim' - quite literally meaning 'until a new SC is elected'.
Since MTGenWeb has no local rule on the length of the term of the SC
(nor do the USGenWeb by-laws), then there is no regularly scheduled
election for you to fulfill the 'remainder' of the term. In other
words, viewed in it's worst possible connotation, one could assume the
role of SC without standing for election and hold that position for life.
I know that's not your intent or desire - but without an election there
are those who would interpret the situation that way and deny the
legitimacy of the state leadership absent an election.
Neither I nor the AB can tell you 'this is what you have to do' - that's
not our role. Our role is to guide and assist if needed or requested.
I will do whatever you request in helping or advising, but my opinion is
that the election is the best way to go so that there are no questions
as to the legitimacy of the succession.
When that's done, I would strongly suggest to whoever is elected SC to
take those procedures that were started, finalize them, and put them in
place with a vote of the membership of MTGenWeb. There are some
excellent examples of processes and procedures that can help guide you -
and it solves a ton of issues that sometimes we never think that we'll
ever have to face.
Scott Burow
RAL
The USGenWeb Project
----- Original Message -----
*From:* Karen De Groote-Johnson <mailto:europatb@iowatelecom.net>
*To:* Scott Burow <mailto:sburow@swbell.net> ; Annie G.
<mailto:anniegms@gmail.com>
*Sent:* Sunday, November 09, 2008 4:06 PM
*Subject:* [Fwd: Re: [MTGEN] Resignation and Voting]
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [MTGEN] Resignation and Voting
Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:09:05 -0600
From: Karen De Groote-Johnson <europatb(a)iowatelecom.net>
Reply-To: mtgen(a)rootsweb.com
To: mtgen(a)rootsweb.com
References: <49172967.1040805(a)iowatelecom.net>
<BAY118-W18BC493918BDCEE6C521DEB81B0(a)phx.gbl>
Hello Jim,
Technically I am taking over as SC so that part of Sec 10 is complete.
We do not have a regularly scheduled election nor do we have guidelines
or bylaws that tell us how to handle this situation. Logically the ASC
finishing the term of the SC in these cases would make sense however
since we have nothing in print to indicate this way of handling the
situation, the USGW rules go in to affect. As Nancy and I have read
this section and interpret it as having an immediate election then this
is what we must do however willing I am to finish Kevin's term of office.
Once everything is situated I think we should put our heads together and
create some simple guidelines for the state. Both Nathan and Kevin have
generated a set of rules that we can expound on so we don't have to
start from scratch. Elections and terms of office should be included in
this guideline. One thing I should point out is that I was not
originally elected to the position of ASC, I was appointed. In that
regard I should be required to stand for election as SC.
Jim, I will send your note to the RAL Scott Burow and I would be happy
to forward his opinion on your interpretation of the USGW rules. I
would sub him to the mailing list but I am afraid I do not have those
keys in order to sub him in. I will forward what he gives us. Scott is
quite knowledgeable in this area and I would not hesitate to heed his
advice.
Thanks for the dialogue,
Karen in Iowa
Jim Petermann wrote:
My preference would be to have the Assistant State Coordinator take
over as State Coordinator per Section 10, and then defer the election of a new State
Coordinator until the next regularly scheduled election.
In short, install Karen (assuming she is agreeable) to complete the remainder of
Kevin's term.
It would seem the simplest way to do it, and if I read the by-law correctly the County
Coordinators acting together could agree to do it that way. If it's not possible, then
of course we should have a vote as soon as it's practical.
Jim Petermann
> Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 12:18:15 -0600> From: europatb(a)iowatelecom.net> To:
mtgen(a)rootsweb.com> Subject: [MTGEN] Resignation and Voting> > As you have all
seen, Kevin Haddenham has resigned as our State > Coordinator effective today. As
MTGenWeb has no procedure in place to > handle this situation we must default to USGW
policy. The appropriate > portions of that policy are: > > "ARTICLE XII.
STATE PROJECTS> > > Section 1. Each state shall have a State Coordinator who
manages the state> website and oversees the state project. In addition, each state
shall have> an Assistant State Coordinator or other support team in place that can>
take charge in case the State Coordinator becomes unavailable for a period> of 30 days,
unless there are extenuating circumstances.> >
; Section 4. State
Coordinators shall remain subscribed to the State> Coordinators mailing list and
maintain a current mailing list of all> local-level coordinators. State Coordinators
shall provide their name,> pos!
t!
>
al address, and phone number to the National Coordinator to be held in> strictest
confidence and only used in the case of an emergency.> > Section 8. State
Coordinators shall be elected to those positions by the> local-level coordinators
within the state. Those State Coordinators and> Assistant State Coordinators in place
at the time these bylaws are adopted> shall be exempt from election procedures, unless
he/she/they are removed,> resign, or are unable to perform their duties.> >
Section 10. If a State Coordinator is unable to perform his/her duties,> the Assistant
State Coordinator, or other support team, shall serve until> an election can take place
within the state. In the case of state projects> with more than one Assistant State
Coordinator, they shall choose one> among themselves to serve in the interim.">
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> > > Per Section 10, I
will move to Interim State
Coordinator until we can conduct an election. Nancy
T!
ho!
rnton has agreed to serve as technical support and Interim ASC.
During
this time period if you need anything, please email either of us for assistance. >
> ELECTION:> We now need to conduct an election for State Coordinator. Scott Burow
has again volunteered the use of his voting machine. You will recall we have used this
machine for the last two elections. If the CCs prefer another manner of election, please
let me know and we will conduct the election in the manner that the majority of CCs wish
to use.> > NOMINATION:> I will be running for the position of State Coordinator
and I would encourage anyone else who is interested to please throw their hat in the ring.
The job is not labor intensive but you do need some technical experience to take care of
the state pages. > > > That is about all I have for the moment. I will be
conducting a roll call in a moment and please feel free to use the roll call for
expressing your thoughts and opinions. If you have any questions, please let me/us
know.> > All my best,
Karen in Iowa> Karen De Groote-Joh!
ns!
on> Interim State Coordinator MTGenWeb> > > > >
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