As your Commodore, I ask you to NOT sign this petition, for the following reasons, quickly listed and then discussed at greater length below.
1. The petition is unnecessary; no immediate plans to begin work on remodeling are underway and the Board of Directors have already established procedures for earlier sharing of financial information with the membership.
2. The petition does not conform to the Bylaws of Corinthian YC in that no procedures for electronic, as opposed to physical, petition signatures have been authorized and false signatures are easily added.
3. The petition goes beyond the Bylaws in attempting to seize control of the meeting through claiming some “special procedure”. This highlights the attempt by this group, which ran the Club when it had severe financial problems, to regain control outside of the normal electoral process.
4. A special meeting such as this will cause unnecessary divisiveness and expense for the Club.
To elaborate on the above points:
No immediate remodeling is planned. In the Commodore’s Commentary, included in the “Corinthian Crier” of April 2, I stated, “On remodeling, the Board noted the coming workshop Saturday, April 5 (see separate notice) and recognized that the extensive discussion and solicitation of additional input regarding moving heads and showers into Pneumonia Alley will effectively cause the previously discussed “Phase One” to not take place during the winter shutdown of 2014-15. “ No permits for work such as this have been requested from any of the authorities with control over such work. The possibility of overall work has been discussed with the City of Belvedere, as is normal when considering any project. This was done in part because previous remodeling work, much of it done when your petition organizers ran the Club, was done without permits and does not meet building codes. The Building department of the City of Belvedere was pleased to see your current leadership is willin
K
Kim Schafer
12 years ago
This turn of events is a very unfortunate one. In fairness (and to correct at least a portion of the misleading statements contained in the introduction to the petition), I would like to point out that in a conversation with one of the petitioners last weekend, I enthusiastically agreed to arrange for a meeting with some of their reps and the Flag (although we have already conducted similar such meetings this past year with various representatives of the Flag/Board) in an attempt to avoid such a divisive action (I also advised that financials were in the process of being prepared for release to the membership). But no sooner was that agreement reached, than it was thwarted by a pointless email to me from another of the petitioners with additional demands, insults and threats, which I was simply unable to agree with or condone.
Your Flag/Board works tirelessly to always support the best interests of our Club and the entirety of its membership, and any implication that we have done or intend to do otherwise, or that any decision would be made by us improperly or with mal-intent, is completely unfounded. I would also request that you support your elected leadership by not signing this petition, but if it does indeed pass (in the proper form required by the Bylaws) and a special meeting convened, so be it. I would also point out that the petitioners state, accurately, that the meeting will be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, which state that (because of time and expense considerations) a special meeting should be called ONLY “if something important comes up that MUST be dealt with before the next regular meeting.” Neither of the two matters raised here have such an immediate urgency or necessity of being addressed by special meeting less than two months prior to the annual meeting scheduled for November 14.
P
P.Jeffrey McQueen
12 years ago
The Commodore's remarks are full of blatent inaccuraces
K
Karin Dilou
12 years ago
a meeting before spending that kind of money wil be appropriate
E
Erick Ahrens
12 years ago
e-signature became law in 2000.
S
Stephen Spoja
12 years ago
It seems rather strange that a special meeting is necessary for CYC members to participate in major decisions and issues. The Flag was ready to proceed with Phase 1 of a multi-million dollar remodel without asking members to vote on the plan. Further, when key questions about the Club's financial health arose, members were told to go away and mind their own business. It should be noted that the Commodore's response, while personally (and erroneously) attacking the Staff Commodores who now ask for a special meeting, fails to address the three-year, million dollar loss in the dining room. His contention is that the Club's financial health is good. A $400,000 loss in a year is NOT HEALTHY. It took a Special Meeting petition to trigger a promise to release a financial report. FINALLY.
The Special Meeting calls for two things
1. Halt any and all work on the Master Plan without a Member vote and clear explanation of funding.
2. Full financial disclosure of dining and catering finances.
Why are members castigated for asking questions about the health of OUR Club?
If the Flag assures members that no Master Plan work will proceed without a vote and if the financial report is clear and complete, including details on the catering company, the Special Meeting will be unnecessary. It's really that simple.
THIS IS THE MEMBER'S CLUB. THE BOARD AND FLAG SERVE THE MEMBERS. Not the other way around.
S
Stephen Spoja
12 years ago
It seems rather strange that a special meeting is necessary for CYC members to participate in major decisions and issues. The Flag was ready to proceed with Phase 1 of a multi-million dollar remodel without asking members to vote on the plan. Further, when key questions about the Club's financial health arose, members were told to go away and mind their own business. It should be noted that the Commodore's response, while personally (and erroneously) attacking the Staff Commodores who now ask for a special meeting, fails to address the three-year, million dollar loss in the dining room. His contention is that the Club's financial health is good. A $400,000 loss in a year is NOT HEALTHY. It took a Special Meeting petition to trigger a promise to release a financial report. FINALLY.
The Special Meeting calls for two things
1. Halt any and all work on the Master Plan without a Member vote and clear explanation of funding.
2. Full financial disclosure of dining and catering finances.
Why are members castigated for asking questions about the health of OUR Club?
If the Flag assures members that no Master Plan work will proceed without a vote and if the financial report is clear and complete, including details on the catering company, the Special Meeting will be unnecessary. It's really that simple.
THIS IS THE MEMBER'S CLUB. THE BOARD AND FLAG SERVE THE MEMBERS. Not the other way around.
L
Lisa Wear
12 years ago
Kim and Eric,
Thank you for additional input. Being strong armed to be heard is never pleasant for either party. Typically pursued when one party feels either unfairly ignored or without reasonable action as a last resort.
It's my personal desire that; a) all interested CYC members be provided thorough answers and financial details prior to any further disbursements, especially including consultation fees; and, b) any approvals of design, change, upgrade or improvements be brought to the general membership for vote, NOT to be decided by committees.
The simple question of construction necessity clearly weighs heavily on many members and is worthy of general membership discussion. I recognize and have attended the Flag's discussion groups which was much appreciated. I felt heard in that forum, but not necessarily with a vote.
Perhaps if certain reliable assurances were provided indicating no further action of any kind will take place prior to the Annual Meeting, it could possibly cool some jets? However, with Bylaws and agenda of the Annual Meeting having a specific protocol, perhaps a Special Meeting is required based on timing (sorry, not aware on protocol details currently).
Bottom line: If a petition has been initiated, members are not being heard. No question, you disagree. All part of the thankless jobs you do.
It's my belief that the entirety of the Flag, BOD and committees have the best interest of CYC. It's of no loss for all to take a step back, breathe, bring an(other) orderly open discussion in a formal setting, and perhaps consider a representative of the petitioners as well, for the mere attempt of a fair playing field.
The irony is that while there is large debate of necessity for certain grand changes, the overall good intent for CYC remains shared. It's just muffled amidst lots of history, pride and peacock feathers at the moment.
We can all find a diplomatic resolution together.
We are currently in a similar petition sit
[email protected]
member #334
Member #1168
As your Commodore, I ask you to NOT sign this petition, for the following reasons, quickly listed and then discussed at greater length below. 1. The petition is unnecessary; no immediate plans to begin work on remodeling are underway and the Board of Directors have already established procedures for earlier sharing of financial information with the membership. 2. The petition does not conform to the Bylaws of Corinthian YC in that no procedures for electronic, as opposed to physical, petition signatures have been authorized and false signatures are easily added. 3. The petition goes beyond the Bylaws in attempting to seize control of the meeting through claiming some “special procedure”. This highlights the attempt by this group, which ran the Club when it had severe financial problems, to regain control outside of the normal electoral process. 4. A special meeting such as this will cause unnecessary divisiveness and expense for the Club. To elaborate on the above points: No immediate remodeling is planned. In the Commodore’s Commentary, included in the “Corinthian Crier” of April 2, I stated, “On remodeling, the Board noted the coming workshop Saturday, April 5 (see separate notice) and recognized that the extensive discussion and solicitation of additional input regarding moving heads and showers into Pneumonia Alley will effectively cause the previously discussed “Phase One” to not take place during the winter shutdown of 2014-15. “ No permits for work such as this have been requested from any of the authorities with control over such work. The possibility of overall work has been discussed with the City of Belvedere, as is normal when considering any project. This was done in part because previous remodeling work, much of it done when your petition organizers ran the Club, was done without permits and does not meet building codes. The Building department of the City of Belvedere was pleased to see your current leadership is willin
This turn of events is a very unfortunate one. In fairness (and to correct at least a portion of the misleading statements contained in the introduction to the petition), I would like to point out that in a conversation with one of the petitioners last weekend, I enthusiastically agreed to arrange for a meeting with some of their reps and the Flag (although we have already conducted similar such meetings this past year with various representatives of the Flag/Board) in an attempt to avoid such a divisive action (I also advised that financials were in the process of being prepared for release to the membership). But no sooner was that agreement reached, than it was thwarted by a pointless email to me from another of the petitioners with additional demands, insults and threats, which I was simply unable to agree with or condone. Your Flag/Board works tirelessly to always support the best interests of our Club and the entirety of its membership, and any implication that we have done or intend to do otherwise, or that any decision would be made by us improperly or with mal-intent, is completely unfounded. I would also request that you support your elected leadership by not signing this petition, but if it does indeed pass (in the proper form required by the Bylaws) and a special meeting convened, so be it. I would also point out that the petitioners state, accurately, that the meeting will be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, which state that (because of time and expense considerations) a special meeting should be called ONLY “if something important comes up that MUST be dealt with before the next regular meeting.” Neither of the two matters raised here have such an immediate urgency or necessity of being addressed by special meeting less than two months prior to the annual meeting scheduled for November 14.
The Commodore's remarks are full of blatent inaccuraces
a meeting before spending that kind of money wil be appropriate
e-signature became law in 2000.
It seems rather strange that a special meeting is necessary for CYC members to participate in major decisions and issues. The Flag was ready to proceed with Phase 1 of a multi-million dollar remodel without asking members to vote on the plan. Further, when key questions about the Club's financial health arose, members were told to go away and mind their own business. It should be noted that the Commodore's response, while personally (and erroneously) attacking the Staff Commodores who now ask for a special meeting, fails to address the three-year, million dollar loss in the dining room. His contention is that the Club's financial health is good. A $400,000 loss in a year is NOT HEALTHY. It took a Special Meeting petition to trigger a promise to release a financial report. FINALLY. The Special Meeting calls for two things 1. Halt any and all work on the Master Plan without a Member vote and clear explanation of funding. 2. Full financial disclosure of dining and catering finances. Why are members castigated for asking questions about the health of OUR Club? If the Flag assures members that no Master Plan work will proceed without a vote and if the financial report is clear and complete, including details on the catering company, the Special Meeting will be unnecessary. It's really that simple. THIS IS THE MEMBER'S CLUB. THE BOARD AND FLAG SERVE THE MEMBERS. Not the other way around.
It seems rather strange that a special meeting is necessary for CYC members to participate in major decisions and issues. The Flag was ready to proceed with Phase 1 of a multi-million dollar remodel without asking members to vote on the plan. Further, when key questions about the Club's financial health arose, members were told to go away and mind their own business. It should be noted that the Commodore's response, while personally (and erroneously) attacking the Staff Commodores who now ask for a special meeting, fails to address the three-year, million dollar loss in the dining room. His contention is that the Club's financial health is good. A $400,000 loss in a year is NOT HEALTHY. It took a Special Meeting petition to trigger a promise to release a financial report. FINALLY. The Special Meeting calls for two things 1. Halt any and all work on the Master Plan without a Member vote and clear explanation of funding. 2. Full financial disclosure of dining and catering finances. Why are members castigated for asking questions about the health of OUR Club? If the Flag assures members that no Master Plan work will proceed without a vote and if the financial report is clear and complete, including details on the catering company, the Special Meeting will be unnecessary. It's really that simple. THIS IS THE MEMBER'S CLUB. THE BOARD AND FLAG SERVE THE MEMBERS. Not the other way around.
Kim and Eric, Thank you for additional input. Being strong armed to be heard is never pleasant for either party. Typically pursued when one party feels either unfairly ignored or without reasonable action as a last resort. It's my personal desire that; a) all interested CYC members be provided thorough answers and financial details prior to any further disbursements, especially including consultation fees; and, b) any approvals of design, change, upgrade or improvements be brought to the general membership for vote, NOT to be decided by committees. The simple question of construction necessity clearly weighs heavily on many members and is worthy of general membership discussion. I recognize and have attended the Flag's discussion groups which was much appreciated. I felt heard in that forum, but not necessarily with a vote. Perhaps if certain reliable assurances were provided indicating no further action of any kind will take place prior to the Annual Meeting, it could possibly cool some jets? However, with Bylaws and agenda of the Annual Meeting having a specific protocol, perhaps a Special Meeting is required based on timing (sorry, not aware on protocol details currently). Bottom line: If a petition has been initiated, members are not being heard. No question, you disagree. All part of the thankless jobs you do. It's my belief that the entirety of the Flag, BOD and committees have the best interest of CYC. It's of no loss for all to take a step back, breathe, bring an(other) orderly open discussion in a formal setting, and perhaps consider a representative of the petitioners as well, for the mere attempt of a fair playing field. The irony is that while there is large debate of necessity for certain grand changes, the overall good intent for CYC remains shared. It's just muffled amidst lots of history, pride and peacock feathers at the moment. We can all find a diplomatic resolution together. We are currently in a similar petition sit