Quote:
Originally Posted by Wobbly Bob
I am nominating Tim Nevins for the Board position of President.
I know that Tim has the experience to lead, a passion for disc golf and the integrity that I look for in a leader.
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I have decided to accept the nomination for SDGA President. The job is not an easy task and my first thoughts about doing the deed stopped me from immediately accepting the nomination. After much reflection, I feel confident I could serve.
What you need to know about me. I am crazy about disc golf and the disc golf community. The etiquette of the game and the sense of fair play it creates is the magical stuff that allows a wildly disparate group of folks to come together, play, compete and celebrate their wins and losses in a way that is rare to find anywhere else these days. I love watching your game - maybe more than I enjoy throwing my own plastic. If it wasn’t for disc golf, my world would be much smaller.
There is chatter out there that I may be some sort of “Board Nazi” out to create some iron fisted rule of law that disallows the membership from participating in club business. The truth is, I believe in a structured, transparent, and responsible board system of representation that is ultimately accountable to the membership. That means everyone counts…….if you don’t think you count, or can’t muster up the conviction to offer up constructive input – you might want to find some other sport or cause to champion. If you want to blame the 10 percent of members that do 90 percent of the work, please do not vote for me – I am not interested in your support and will only disappoint you. Be honest about who you are, temper your voice, be willing to “pay forward” and step up when you are asked to contribute. Don’t assume that just because you pay your “20” that you have nothing to offer. Don’t sit back and expect to take a “mulligan” - realize I will be calling you out to take the next step!
I think there are a lot of frustrated past and present members out there that will not support the Club in any fashion. Some of their grievances are reasonable and need to be addressed. Some are plain nonsense, rooted in old-bad history, disillusionment, and resentment. Let’s end the rancor, divisive talk and disrespect that has crept into our community. Let’s get beyond it…we have work to do!
I believe we would benefit from a series of “Board Orientation/Workshops” (members highly encouraged to participate) to establish expectations for civil discourse, responsibilities of governance and understandable rules of order necessary for any Board to be successful. I have seen enough instances of frustrated Board members with good intentions enter into secret agreements, circumvent established roles and step out of the light of reason and objectivity. I know none of these folk to be bad people – in fact; we have had some truly visionary leaders who sadly, “walked off a course that was not well laid out.” The current Charter is a part of the problem and needs to be addressed, but I am starting to see that there is no way for our Charter to be “amended” into a state of health given the way we are conducting ourselves at the present time. I do not envision any Charter improvements that will end well until we recoup a sense of civility and order back into our interactions.
Disc Golf is growing and so is the business of disc golf. We all have a responsibility to behave in a manner that reflects positively on our sport and the good will it is intended to promote. The public is watching and our public courses exist through public tolerance and ongoing acceptance. Time to grow.
What you can expect from me. According to our current Charter, the President acts as advisor and coordinator of the efforts of the board. What that means to me is that I would assure that any Board agenda represents the business of the membership accurately and completely. That means that if a Member has an issue or question of the Board it gets addressed. I would be responsible to conduct Membership/Board meetings, forums or discussion in a fashion that protects the integrity of the Charter, previous passed motions and/or established business of the Association. I see the job as keeping every matter of Membership business on track and understandable. You can expect transparency and accountability. You can expect me to challenge any disrespect or circumvention of established Board authority. You can also expect I will not enter into agreements conduct (or withhold) any business outside of Board knowledge and approval, nor will I ever condone this behavior from another Board Member or appointee. You can expect me to share with others everything I learn in the course of my term – even if it makes me look stupid. I will pass on ANY lessons I have learned to the next Board elect so that we foster a continuing tradition of leadership and selfless service.
I get an occasional good idea and there are other things I could fill in if you have a mind to ask. Take care and remember to vote. I can’t tell you how much it means to folks running for these offices to see a great turn out. When you all step up and cast a ballot it feels fairer to the loser and gives the winner some assurance that they just didn’t do the dumbest thing in the world…! See you on the course. I aim to get as much time out there as I can!