NOTE to SCs - I have sent this email to duplicate addresses in a few
cases. Since I had computer problems earlier in the Spring, I no longer
am getting email from the lists in LA & OK and don't think I ever did
get mail from KS or NM. Trying to cover you all so that CCs can see we
are out there trying to represent their issues.... Please forward to the
appropriate lists in your states if this does not make it to the list on
its own. Thanks, Jana Black
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello all,
This is a report from your SW/SC CC Regional USGW Project
Representatives:
Elections are fast upon us. To vote, you need to register at
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgwelections/register.html
We understand that many of you are so frustrated at the tone and manner
that posters have used on ALL-L that you are not subbed there, nor do
you follow the actions of your Advisory Board on Board-L. From our
perspective, this AB has not accomplished much in terms of new
legislation. However, in making an overview assessment, you have had an
opportunity to see what amounts to a face-to-face board meeting which
drones on and on before anything actually gets done. This has created
frustration and at times some volatility. In any case, if you are
willing to plow through the archives of either list, you can catch
yourself up on what has happened this year.
Here are highlights of what in our opinion are the important issues of
the day:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jana Black's SW/SC CC Rep seat is for two years, so this election
signifies that she has survived (barely) her first year and has one more
year to go. Phyllis Rippee, chosen to fill out the remainder of Ken
Short's term, may not be running again, so one CC Rep seat in our region
may be open. Betsy Mills' term is up and she has said she will not be
running again. So the SC Rep's seat may be open as well. Eligible
candidates for that seat would be:
Betsy Mills - AR
Michael Jarvis - AZ
Richard Wilson - CA
Tom or Carolyn Ward or Nancy Trice - KS
Edward J. Hayden Jr. or Annette Womack - LA
Larry Flescher or Jerry Holland or Yvonne James-Henderson - MO
Patricia Scott or Mark Swarthout - NV
Susan Bellomo or Pat Smith or Jo Fox - NM
Marti Graham or Sharon Crawford - OK
Trey Holt or Dana Thomas - TX
Andy Wold - UT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of importance to all of us is the current work on the Bylaws: A
grass-roots group formed on ALL-L and hashed out amendments to the
current Bylaws that make some definite shifts of control within the
Project. In order to reach the ballot, this effort needs sponsorship
from at least 5 state projects. Currently it has the sponsorship of NV.
We are not endorsing this effort, but do commend the CCs, ASCs and SCs
who worked together to come up with their proposals. If you wish to
read them and familiarize yourselves with them, they can be found at
http://www.usgenweb.org/official/official.html
Meanwhile, the NC appointed a Bylaws Revision Committee that is working
to revise the current bylaws. Their efforts may not be complete in time
for this election. If the work of this committee is completed in time,
the results will be posted and you will be able to compare and contrast
the two efforts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the most important thing we have learned as AB members this year
is how little authority the AB actually has. All the AB can actually do
is Advise. What this means is that SCs (who can range anywhere on the
efficacy scale from terrific to dictatorial) do not have any obligation
to cooperate with the AB should they choose *not* do so.
The only recourse CCs have if they have received an Advisory Board
statement after filing a grievance, or if there has been a mediation
process and the SC refuses to cooperate, would be to attempt a
grass-roots campaign to vote out the SC according to the bylaws:
"ARTICLE XII. STATE PROJECTS: Section 9. State Coordinators and
Assistant State Coordinators are subject to possible removal by a 2/3
vote of the Advisory Board and a 2/3 vote of the Local Coordinators
within the state. A quorum of 75% of the Local Coordinators shall
participate in order for the vote to be binding."
While this can be accomplished, such an effort puts the burden on CCs
without any enforceable support from the National Level. Perhaps
through the grass-roots proposals, or through the Bylaws Revision
Committee, the bylaws will be changed to create a more equitable, thus
more level playing field for the CCs. However, the SCs must also be
able to remove CCs for reasons that should be listed as nation-wide
policy.
Obviously in some states, everyone already works cooperatively, so there
is no problem. But, where such is not the case, the ultimate effect is
that CCs get disgruntled, strip their sites and move elsewhere. This is
not good for the Project.
If you are interested in learning more, please email us or subscribe to
Board-L. (You will be subbed as read only, but this will enable you to
see exactly what your Board members are saying.)
Jana Black & Phyllis Rippee
County Coordinator Representatives
SW/SC Region, USGW Project