Petition for a Special Meeting
We, members of The Skating Club of Boston, pursuant to Sec. 3.5.b of the bylaws, petition for a special meeting to be held as soon as possible for the purpose of discussing the Board of Directors' vote to sign a letter of intent to build a new facility in Norwood.
The Board took this action despite their receipt of a petition, singed by approximately 150 past and present members, asking that the Board refrain from making this major decision until the petition’s specific requests were met.
Updates
October 19, 2015
The administration remains silent regarding our formal request for a meeting to discuss the facility expansion. I am currently coordinating with several members to determine our next steps if they continue to disregard the bylaws.
October 19, 2015
The level of engagement surrounding this request for a special meeting has been profound. This momentum confirms that our membership remains deeply invested in the future direction of the club.
14 Comments
Since news of a possible move to Norwood was announced, the response that I have heard from 99% of the people to whom I have spoken has been to look for other closer places to skate. If members are not going to be served by such a move, I cannot help but wonder, what Board members' interest are being served by this proposal? And if there are Board members with such interests, those Board member have a duty to disclose to the membership such interest (including even the appearance of interest), and those Board members ought also recuse themselves from participating in any vote relating to the Norwood move decisions. Given the significance of this issue to the future of the club, would it not be appropriate to have the members vote on the issue?
For many years, members of the board have worked on our behalf, trying to devise a plan for the future. The most recent plan however has come suddenly, is momentous, and greatly affects all members. It would be helpful for us all to contemplate it together before acting.
I am very concerned about the long term viability of the club. Due to mismanagement of the process and unprofessional fund raising efforts, millions of dollars were spent permitting the Harvard site and then once permits were in hand, the club could not proceed because there was no financial capability to do so. I fear that the club is putting itself in the same position with Norwood. Not enough study has been conducted as to what to build, hence how much does it cost, and how will this money be raised. I fear the club will lose more money again and be in a worst position to try again on another site.
My husband and I are upset that the original commitment to stay within 5 miles of the rink's current location has been disregarded. The process of signing agreements in Norwood has been rushed, the finances seem risky, and our commutes will be significantly longer. The commute from Boston to Norwood would make it impossible for us and many others to remain members. We strongly request that other proposals be considered including building 2 rinks at our current site (stacked vertically or side be side) be considered.
I attended the briefing session in which the power went out. I cannot comment about the other sessions, but the one I attended was not a discussion. It was a question and answer session only with an off-putting poll after every answer as to whether the answer was acceptable. The Board should engage in a dialog with members. Moving to Norwood might be the in the best interest of the Club, or it might not be in the best interest of the Club, but there should be a dialog, a discussion and engagement with members. I was left with the perception from the session I attended that the Board did not want to have an engagement and dialog with members about the move.
Openness, please
At minimum, I would like a commitment by the club to remain extremely near the current location. This is ultimately in everyone's best interest, even those members that currently don't mind, or would even prefer a move to Norwood. Those members should consider that this Norwood move could fall through, and the next proposed move by the Board may ultimately be one that would preclude their membership. Let's keep this for everyone. My preference is to have the club commit to staying in the current location in some way, in order to ensure preservation of the historical value of the building, as well as the investment value/potential of the land.
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Petition for a Special Meeting
We, members of The Skating Club of Boston, pursuant to Sec. 3.5.b of the bylaws, petition for a special meeting to be held as soon as possible for the purpose of discussing the Board of Directors' vote to sign a letter of intent to build a new facility in Norwood.
The Board took this action despite their receipt of a petition, singed by approximately 150 past and present members, asking that the Board refrain from making this major decision until the petition’s specific requests were met.
Updates
October 19, 2015
The administration remains silent regarding our formal request for a meeting to discuss the facility expansion. I am currently coordinating with several members to determine our next steps if they continue to disregard the bylaws.
October 19, 2015
The level of engagement surrounding this request for a special meeting has been profound. This momentum confirms that our membership remains deeply invested in the future direction of the club.
14 Comments
While few would dispute that the board has worked hard to plan for the club's future, it's disappointing that the club, which is essentially a service provider, does not seem to be paying attention to the needs of its membership, nor involving them in the decision-making process in a substantive manner. It's axiomatic that when a service business does not meet the needs of its customers, it fails. No-one wants to see our storied club fail.
Since news of a possible move to Norwood was announced, the response that I have heard from 99% of the people to whom I have spoken has been to look for other closer places to skate. If members are not going to be served by such a move, I cannot help but wonder, what Board members' interest are being served by this proposal? And if there are Board members with such interests, those Board member have a duty to disclose to the membership such interest (including even the appearance of interest), and those Board members ought also recuse themselves from participating in any vote relating to the Norwood move decisions. Given the significance of this issue to the future of the club, would it not be appropriate to have the members vote on the issue?
For many years, members of the board have worked on our behalf, trying to devise a plan for the future. The most recent plan however has come suddenly, is momentous, and greatly affects all members. It would be helpful for us all to contemplate it together before acting.
I am very concerned about the long term viability of the club. Due to mismanagement of the process and unprofessional fund raising efforts, millions of dollars were spent permitting the Harvard site and then once permits were in hand, the club could not proceed because there was no financial capability to do so. I fear that the club is putting itself in the same position with Norwood. Not enough study has been conducted as to what to build, hence how much does it cost, and how will this money be raised. I fear the club will lose more money again and be in a worst position to try again on another site.
My husband and I are upset that the original commitment to stay within 5 miles of the rink's current location has been disregarded. The process of signing agreements in Norwood has been rushed, the finances seem risky, and our commutes will be significantly longer. The commute from Boston to Norwood would make it impossible for us and many others to remain members. We strongly request that other proposals be considered including building 2 rinks at our current site (stacked vertically or side be side) be considered.
I attended the briefing session in which the power went out. I cannot comment about the other sessions, but the one I attended was not a discussion. It was a question and answer session only with an off-putting poll after every answer as to whether the answer was acceptable. The Board should engage in a dialog with members. Moving to Norwood might be the in the best interest of the Club, or it might not be in the best interest of the Club, but there should be a dialog, a discussion and engagement with members. I was left with the perception from the session I attended that the Board did not want to have an engagement and dialog with members about the move.
Openness, please
At minimum, I would like a commitment by the club to remain extremely near the current location. This is ultimately in everyone's best interest, even those members that currently don't mind, or would even prefer a move to Norwood. Those members should consider that this Norwood move could fall through, and the next proposed move by the Board may ultimately be one that would preclude their membership. Let's keep this for everyone. My preference is to have the club commit to staying in the current location in some way, in order to ensure preservation of the historical value of the building, as well as the investment value/potential of the land.
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While few would dispute that the board has worked hard to plan for the club's future, it's disappointing that the club, which is essentially a service provider, does not seem to be paying attention to the needs of its membership, nor involving them in the decision-making process in a substantive manner. It's axiomatic that when a service business does not meet the needs of its customers, it fails. No-one wants to see our storied club fail.