Re: Jim McNeill AMA VP District V on nomination proceedure changes

First off, in my opinion, the proposal is jumping the gun, by JM, for appearances, rather than substance.

There is a by-laws committee and a committee on nominations in place already, so you figure out why JM is floating this around.

The proposal, as Dave Brown outlined it to me some time back, is to allow AMA members to continue to nominate the candidates. The EC or HQ or whatever subgroup would make sure that the qualifications are met. At the moment, that means they are an AMA member and a Leader Member for VP, and other qualifications for President and Executive VP (see AMA By-Laws). The names of all qualified nominees would be submitted to the Club Presidents. It was not clear if the club members would tell their President how to cast his vote, or the Club President would have total authority, or it would be determined from club to club. Since, as has been pointed out here, there could be a large number of nominees, there are alternate suggestions as to how to weight the count to make it as fair as possible. Bill Lee, a D8 AVP has advanced a plan that I would support for the counting of ballots. Just taking the highest three would not be a great idea. It is also possible that the incumbent would have an automatic place or some minimal count might be necessary to confirm his place on the ballot (currently an incumbent can be kept off with a 3/4 vote against his placement on the ballot).

After the process is approved by the EC, it must be approved by a vote of the Leader Members, because a change to the by-laws would be necessary.

JM appears to ignore all of these "details". I wish some D V member would write him and ask him EXACTLY what he has in mind putting on the agenda. It would, of course, be really nice if JM posted it on here as well. Somehow, I think all the details in his proposal have not been.... hmmm.... fleshed out. Just proposing that the club Presidents make the selection without any mechanism is headed for sure defeat by the EC. It is also very likely that the EC will want to make more changes to the By-Laws before submitting any changes to the LM's. My guess is that JM will withdraw his proposal before it ever is presented to the EC. Putting it on the agenda is all he needs to do to generate a few votes for re-election. The same move he just made with the fuel for jets. He can then say "Hey guys, look what I tired to do for you".

Anyone for Coke in the water fountains?

Of course, this is all just my opinion.

JR

seems like a reasonable approach to me!

AMA has a procedure for soliciting input vis a vis fundamental changes to the organization.

It's called 'consult with the Leader Members'.

Matter of fact, Leader Members are supposed to _vote_ on changes to the Constitution, By-Laws and Standing Rules, etc.

McNeill is trying an end-run around the system.

Again.

Quotes from JM's letter to the club Presidents:

"Our Board of Directors is constantly seeking new ways to improve our election process."

"A new idea is to use AMA Chartered Club Presidents"

"My purpose in writing you is to see if you would be willing"

"I'd like to hear from you."

Yep! Sounds like an end run to me! Imagine that sneaky SoB! Trying to find out if an idea will even have the membership support it needs before taking it to the next step. Of course if he didn't do this, who would be the first to claim he was wasting AMA money? Or trying some other scheme like doing nothing?

I have little doubt that JM's time is long past. But the hate and bigotry displayed here towards him shows the true colors of his enemies. And it's not a segment of the hobby I'd like to see take his place. We wouldn't gain a thing by it.

Chuck

What's wrong with consulting the Leader Members, as provided for in the By-Laws ?

Why invent a new wheel, unless the old wheel is broken because McNeill broke that wheel ?

How many Leader Members have to resign from McNeill's appointments before you begin to wonder if it's all sweetness and light in the management of District V ?

How many persons who were not AMA members have to be handed a free membership along with a Leader Member appointment and an appointment to district office before you figure out that McNeill uses those appointments solely for political gain ? When a person not a member of AMA becomes a Leader Member and a district office appointee in less than a week's time, what's wrong with that picture ?

Aren't Leader Members supposed to have been AMA members and have made some sort of contribution to AMA as a member of the organization

Not in District V they're not. Find out for yourself, if you dare.

What would it take for you to realize that McNeill himself has broken the Leader Member 'wheel' ?

How 'bout an internationally-acclaimed modeler resigning from an AVP appointment because he realized the appointment was solely for McNeill's political gain, by having a highly-recognizable name on 'his team'.

Ask Frank Tiano whether he thinks McNeill is interested in hearing real input from the members of District V, or is interested in hearing from 'yes men' merely because their picture showed up in MA and their club got a free first aid kit or a free copy of Robert's Rules Of Order or a free copy of a medical dictionary or a free fire extinguisher.

Don't take my word for it because you don't know a damn thing about me.

Go ask someone whom you should at least recognize as one of the major movers and shakers in international aeromodeling.

Go ask Frank Tiano what he thinks McNeill is up to.

Unless of course you believe Frank Tiano belongs to a 'segment of the hobby' you wouldn't care to see leading AMA.

Compare the contributions of Jim McNeill and Frank Tiano to American aeromodeling, and figure out which one is a valued asset to the hobby and which one is an obstacle.

Or would you rather just sit back and take cheap shots at all the people _working to get McNeill out of office_ ?

What we 'wouldn't gain a thing by' is having McNeill short-circuit the AMA Constitution, Standing Rules, and By-Laws _again_ and _again_ and AGAIN !

Wake up and smell the odor of fresh fertilizer emanating from Birmingham.

You have little doubt JM's time is long past but take cheap shots at those who actively oppose him ?

What have _you_ done to help put McNeill out to pasture ?

Vote for him ?

Maybe you guys could use this!

Fred

No hate or bigotry here. JM simply doesn't do the job. District V has a DVP who doesn't fly ANYTHING! What a noxymoron. When I lived in Dist. V, I voted aganst him every time. Evidently there are enough in that district who are happy with the way things are. Dr.1 Driver "There's a Hun in the sun!"

SNIP

Fred, I really hate to say this, but I am afraid you have misspoken in your post. Read it again and note that first you question the reason for creating a new wheel (not Leader Members but club presidents) and then clearly demonstrate the very reason!

Could you clear that up for me please?

Er, all JM appears to do in his letter to the presidents is ask if they want to participate. I suppose that if a majority say yes, he'll put it on the EC agenda. What's wrong with that?

Like I said (had you actually read it) "I have little doubt that JM's time is long past".

But at the same time I see little in your tantrum to make me think you or those you support would be a better choice. Different yes! But better? I've yet to see evidence of that. Especially in your latest rant.

See page two of his letter to the EC. Looks like he is putting it on the agenda to me.

Letter to the EC? I missed something, I guess. But anyway, so what? It still would require a bylaw change if it got thru the EC and that means that we LMs would have to vote on it. I'm sorry but I just don't see what the fuss is about?

CR

JR wrote: