Region 16 Education AssociationMeeting Rescheduled
May 17, 2010
Hello everyone!
Our final meeting for this year has been rescheduled – it is now Wednesday, June 9th at 3:45PM in the Long River Media Center. Please make every effort to attend – all comments pertaining to this meeting are welcome here!
Posted by Stephen St. Georges |
Categories: Uncategorized |
Stephen St. Georges
May 17th, 2010 at 10:38 am #
Comment by Stephen Jerram:
Dear Association Members,
I want to thank all the dedicated association members who gave of their time and energies to come to our association meeting yesterday. Your willingness to come to our meetings and participate in those meetings is appreciated and valued. We had an excellent discussion amongst the staff in attendance yesterday about a major issue that is facing all of us as educators. That subject was Race To The Top (RTTT). Those there, saw educators discussing the pros and cons respectfully, and seeking to have their voice heard as to whether our association should support our district’s application or whether we shouldn’t. It is a complex issue, and I was very proud of the way those in attendance discussed the topic with the deadline for our association’s decision in the coming days. I wish more people were there to participate, to listen, or at the very least be informed.
Once again, however, we did not have a quorum so we could not attend to the business of our association. This was also our meeting to hold elections, and just like last year… we were unable to elect our leaders for next year. As per Robert’s Rules of Order, we now need to schedule another meeting to conduct our business. To accomplish that, I am scheduling our next association meeting for the second Wednesday in June (the 9th). The meeting will again be held at LRMS, in the media center, at 3:45 p.m.
Obtaining a quorum for our association has been difficult for the past several years. Earlier this year, I brought forward an attempt to change our by-laws reducing our quorum numbers, and I am now informing our membership that at our June 9th meeting, I will once again be asking for a vote regarding a proposed change to our by-laws. Currently, Article X, Section 1 of our by-laws, states: “A quorum for all Association meetings shall consist of thirty (30%) of the active members.” I am requesting a vote to change that section to state: “A quorum for all Association meetings shall consist of twenty percent (20%) of the active members.” I am also asking for a second to change Article X, Section 2 of our by-laws which currently reads, “A quorum for the Executive Board shall consist of seventy percent (70%) of its members.” I am requesting a vote to change that section to state: “A quorum for the Executive Board shall consist of sixty percent (60%) of its members.” This email is serving as notice required by Article XIII to amend our by-laws.
I know that we all have busy lives, and it always seems like there are other things to be done instead of going to our association meetings. With that in mind, I ask you to please plan ahead to ensure that you can attend our meeting on June 9th.
Stephen St. Georges
May 17th, 2010 at 10:39 am #
Comment from George Meyers
Dear Association members,
The attached letter is well written and received. I agree that we all do need to make an attempt to attend any and all Association meetings possible. With that said, there are times when many of us are unable to make meetings because of other personal or work obligations. I am asking all of us to please consider changing the bi-laws so that Association members can vote in our own buildings or that arrangements can be made to vote in absentia. These practices are done at many other school districts.
Thanks in advance!
Stephen St. Georges
May 17th, 2010 at 10:39 am #
Comment from Ralph Riello
Vote in absentia is a better option than reducing the amount needed, as it is a good idea to get as many people making decisions as possible. That said, I remain open to discussion.
Stephen St. Georges
May 17th, 2010 at 10:40 am #
Comment from Michele Papa
I completely agree. In my previous districts we always voted within our own buildings. Those running for office gave a brief description of their experience and we voted that way. There were no last-minute nominees; the ballot was set. It is very difficult to attend the meetings sometimes. This was the first time I have missed an elections meeting and I felt guilty because I know that turnout is often poor. It couldn’t be helped. I think that voting in our own schools would alleviate the conflicts and definitely give more of the membership a say.
Thanks for listening:)
Stephen St. Georges
May 18th, 2010 at 7:58 am #
I would also add that last year, we had a June meeting scheduled. Since we did not have a quorum, we rescheduled that meeting to the last day of school. Let’s PLEASE all make an honest effort to attend this important meeting for the good of our association and make sure our new officers have the chance to adequately prepare for next school year! See you on June 9th!