[Date Prev][Date Next] [Chronological] [Thread] [Top]

Re: (erielack) My $.02 worth concerning the recent ELHS rant

I have set back and listen to this ranting that started with a simple question I asked and received an answer to and then I asked that the thread be dropped which has not been done!

If the members are serious about changing the ELHS a few things to ponder.

    1. The ELHS must have articles of incorporation to be a 501 C3 organization that state the purpose and mission of the Incorporation. (The board is required to follow them)

    2. They must have a set of By-laws that sets forth among other things the election of the board of directors and the terms of each board member and the perversions to remove a board member if it becomes necessary.

    3. You may find it helpful to review a copy of "Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised" to help get your point across and between 1,2 and 3 you would know "your rights" as members at the annual convention.  
    
    4. They must under penalty of law file a 990 IRS tax return each year by May 15 which should reveal the financial standing they should be willing to share this information with the membership.


    I also don't call a member requesting information a "demand" for service if that is the case and that is how they feel there Articles of Incorporation need to be amended to state that they are a non-profit publishing group and there mission is to provide members with publications that the board decides to publish and that they exists for no other purpose including providing information not found in there publications.

    That famous "They are NOT at your beck and call. They have lives and personal concerns!" is nothing more then a copout if they don't have the time to spend then it is time that they resign and let someone who does instead of doing a disservice to themselves and the organization. Also the board should be smart enough to appoint committees (from the membership) to handle some of the duties that they don't have time for example helping with of the research requests. But that will never happen as it would take some of the "IMPORTANCE" away from the board and they would not stand for that or they would have already done that.    

Dan
 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Dye 
  To: erielack_@_lists.railfan.net 
  Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 6:01 AM
  Subject: (erielack) My $.02 worth concerning the recent ELHS rant


  I have, with much trepidation, been following the recent 'discussion' 
  concerning the ELHS. Again, there are the usual calls for action and demands 
  for services/information/whatever. There are the usual stories: 'My 
  sister's, brother's, cousin's next door neighbor knocked on the door of one 
  of the board members, at 2AM, to ask a question and was rudely turned away.' 
  Frankly, it again seems to be, Much ado about nothing.

  Now, I may just be some dumb Midwesterner, and I may not have the 
  qualifications that many seem to love to trot out about themselves, when 
  they come across all self-rightious. However, as I sit on the Board of 
  Directors of an all-volunteer (Just like the ELHS) 501-C3 charity, I believe 
  that I do have a certain insight. The Board, is not omniscient. They don't 
  know what problems you perceive. They are not omnipotent. They just can't 
  wave their hands and set things up to please everyone. They are NOT at your 
  beck and call. They have lives and personal concerns! Get over yourself!

  This organization has existed for quite awhile, and has done quite well. The 
  archives exists, rather than being trashed or squirrelled away in everyone's 
  file cabinets. There are excellent and accurate models and books being made 
  available. The dues are not priced out of reach and there is a fairly decent 
  return for the price: The Diamond and The Extra Board are very well done. 
  Not at all bad for a VOLUNTEER organization.

  Is it perfect? No, but then again, ARE YOU?

  Michael Dye ELHS #1516





  ---
  avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean.
  Virus Database (VPS): 0449-1, 12/02/2004
  Tested on: 12/4/2004 12:46:58 PM
  avast! is copyright (c) 2000-2003 ALWIL Software.
  http://www.avast.com






- ---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 0449-1, 12/02/2004
Tested on: 12/4/2004 2:52:59 PM
avast! is copyright (c) 2000-2003 ALWIL Software.
http://www.avast.com

------------------------------