[24856] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Board restructuring comments
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mark Stratton)
Mon Jan 9 12:48:42 2006
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 17:48:27 +0000
Reply-To: mark.stratton@insightbb.com
From: Mark Stratton <mark.stratton@insightbb.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Brothers,
Let me first say that the comments I write here are my own opinions; though I
am a member of the Board, I am only speaking for myself. I do not speak for
the Board, or any other member thereof, only for myself.
This discussion about the Board Restructuring is important, and I'm certainly
glad that it is happening.
There are some provisions of the general proposal that I do like, and chief
among them is the election of a student to sit as a member of the Board. I
think that is an idea that is long overdue, and am glad to see it finally
heading toward fruition. My understanding is that if a student is placed on
the Board, the Fraternity will cover that student's travel expenses as part of
the Fraternity's budget. The student will have, to my knowledge, the same
fiduciary responsiblity that other voting members of the Board have. A lawyer
versed in this area can certainly correct me if I am either wrong or if there
is a way to change that situation. But, one point that is not being addressed
here is the role of that student member. The student member's job would NOT be
to represent the students - it would still be, as it is for every other member
of the Board, to represent the interests of the Fraternity. They certainly
would bring a student viewpoint directly to the Board, and we do so desperately
need that. The job of a Board Member, however, is to represent the interests
of the organization as a whole, not solely the constituency from which they are
elected. For example, I was elected by the Chapters in Region VI, but I
represent all Chapters and all Members, not just those in Region VI. Yes, I
have direct oversight over the Chapters in Region VI, but I am also responsible
in the larger sense for all Chapters. The role of the student member of the
Board would be exactly the same.
I also like the idea of shrinking the size of the Board. I think that's long
overdue. The fact is there are some positions on the Board that probably aren't
necessary at the Board level. Removing some of those would certainly help. I
don't want to see the Board become to small, but if we can find a way to reduce
the size to make the Board more manageable, I think that's a good thing.
I am neutral on the issue of removing Regional Directors from the Board. As a
Regional Director, it doesn't really matter to me whether or not I sit on the
Board - there is enough work to keep the RD busy without worrying about Board
duties. On the other side, the removal of the RDs from the Board certainly
raises questions about representation, and that is not a small or minor
concern. But, on the whole, I'm neutral towards this.
As well, I am mostly neutral towards the idea of bringing in those who are not
members of Alpha Phi Omega to the Board. I certainly understand why we would
want individuals here, and on the whole, I think the proposal makes a great
deal of sense. So long as those members chosen by the Board to serve are the
minority of Board Members (meaning that students elect the majority of the
Board), I could hesitantly accept such a provision. But I still need something
more concrete than "we need the outside expertise." Why? I am quite certain
we have people within the Fraternity who have such expertise, and while they
might not be willing to stand for election under our current system, nothing
would prevent them from serving in an advisory capacity to the Board.
I am not yet convinced, however, that adoption of this proposed structure
(rememeber that we do NOT have legislative language yet that specifically
defines the structure, powers, duties, etc.) is necessary. I am not convinced
that the current structure cannot work - I think we need to find ways to make
the current structure work before we do a systematic overhaul. We need to make
sure that the current structure does not work before we set about the most
massive changes to the Board (the entity of governance in the Fraternity
between Conventions) in 40 years. Regardless, even if we don't adopt the whole
package, I still would support the creation of the student advisory council and
the creation of a student seat on the Board.
I do not think that this proposal in anyway minimizes or renders moot the role
of the Convention, and I would certainly not support it if I thought it did. I
don't support this plan (for different reasons, as I have explained), and will
likely vote against recommending it to Convention (and would therefore vote
against it at Convention) unless I can be convinced that this change is
necessary and will lead to an improvement of Alpha Phi Omega. To be clear, my
comments will not come as a surprise to other Board Members. I have shared my
thoughts with President Heismeyer and National Executive Director London.
There is a long way to go between now and Convention, and while I still don't
see the need for such a change, I do remain open to the possibility that
someone will be able to provide me with information that will cause me to
change my mind. I have not, however, been provided with such information.
Fraternally,
Mark Stratton
Region VI Director
> Based on the changes proposed regarding Board reorganization, the least
> they could do is establish a position for the active membership. My concern
> is this. If we establish an active council with representation from each
> Region, then one of them is selected to serve on the National Board, what
> does that mean for the body that is the National Convention? Is it an
> indirect intention of this plan to reduce the role of the Convention in
> decision making, which from a pure efficiency standpoint, does contribute to
> some of our problems?
>
> In saying this, I do not support reducing the role of the National
> Convention and believe that they are one of the unique elements of our
> Fraternity that contributes to the character and preparation of its members
> in leadership skills. I am only hypothesizing.
>
> Then there is the selection of Board Members by the Board itself, the
> "outsiders." I understand the purpose, but I do believe that those selected
> should have some tie to the Fraternity. Perhaps they should be alumni, or
> at the very least, inducted as Honoraries or Advisors shortly after
> appointment. I hope in saying this that I am not acting naive about
> nonprofit governance.
>
> In L, F, and S,
> Kenneth Hunter
> Alum, Tau Epsilon, Tennessee Technological University
