Ya Just Don't Say!

If you have been a member of NARBC for any amount of time, you probably know that certain peoples opinions wain with the wind and who ever is in charges feelings at that particular point in time. You are either in the good graces with Judy and Margaret or your are ignored and put off. If they need you to do something and feel you are able to be controlled, they use you for what ever purpose they want at that time. If you disagree with them you are out on your fanny!

Kim Gay has been a member of NARBC for many years, since sometime in the 80's I think. In that time she has been an active member meaning she gave freely of her time to do many things for NARBC. She wore several hats and sometimes several at the same time over the years. She has served on the Internet Committee since the 90's I think. I believe her work to be very good and sincere with the best of intentions. 

Awhile back when Amy took over NARBC and kicked everyone out that knew the ropes, Joan Hastings sent Kim an email saying how she thought her work on the NARBC web site was very nice and she thanked her for all her hard work. Fast forward to now and because "The Boss Judy" has issues with other people who are Kim's friends, Joan has changed her tune about Kim's work on the NARBC web site. Kim out of the blue got a call from Judy sometime in early January (just days before the newsletter came out) saying she (Judy) was put in charge of getting information on getting  several bids for an outside source to redesign the web site and maintain it. Judy said she "just forgot to let Kim know that this took place at the board meeting at Convention back in October". 

Kim finally got the minutes from the board meeting at the October Convention and this is what was said....

"New Business:

Joan Hastings asked if any of the Board members had received any comments or suggestions regarding our NARBC, Inc website.  Some indicated they had received comments regarding it not being as user friendly, nothing in the ‘for members only’ section, wanting more information such as sanctioned shows, not being updated, and difficulty using the shopping cart.  After discussion  Joan Hastings moved the Board look into the cost and feasibility of having the website designed and maintained by an outside company.  Linda Kolassa seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Judy Riddle is to obtain information and get back to the Board on her findings."

"Board members present:

Judy Riddle, Joan Hastings, Margaret Bartold, Jack Bailey, Cindy Stelloh, Linda Kolassa,  and Debbie Eldridge."

Now all of a sudden Kim's work is not up to par? Not one person on the board bothered to ask Kim any questions about the web site like : Someone has said they are having trouble with the links and it isn't very user friendly. Could you please see what you can do? Or Ya know you may want to change this about the web site. Kim repeatedly asked for input on the NARBC web site in every newsletter and on the NARBC group list. Not one person gave suggestions on improving it only that she was doing a great job and they really liked it.

Upon getting the board minutes Kim decided immediately that if they were going to pay someone for all the work she had done for free, it was time to quite! After years of giving and giving of hundreds of dollars in time and web designs they didn't even have the decency to say anything other than just don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out! Or this very condescending statement from Linda Kolassa - "I know you are not happy with the way things have gone.  In your position I probably wouldn't be either. But this was all discussed at the Board meeting at convention. If you had been able to attend your views could have been voiced. I'm sorry that wasn't possible."

This is the attitude shared by the board members listed above who voted as they did - All in favor! 

Constitution and By Laws committee

It has been said in the past that NARBC likes their constitution just the way it is and has no interest in making changes. I think this is VERY true! Awhile back Sally Campbell was District 9 Director and was appointed to be the chair of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee by Judy Riddle. Sally has great experience in working with club constitutions and was ready to help out with narbc. She proposed several things to be fixed or changed in the NARBC constitution as was her job. As with many other things that were posted to the narbc board, she was either ignored or put down for the things that were proposed to change. Sally has studied Roberts Rules and is knowledgeable on the rules that are to be followed when the NARBC constitution does not cover a certain situation. 

The situation was discusses about write-ins for officers and directors at election time. Sally made some suggestions on how it was handled in the colored angora goat association. This and that was said and not very nicely. As it wound up Sally was put off as basically not knowing what she was talking about by most of the other board members. Judy didn't agree with what was suggested and what is really stated in the rules so she does what she pleases and how she and Margaret sees fit.

After having enough harassment by certain board members and seeing that she was not going to get anywhere with changing anything, Sally decided not to re-run for District 9 Director. This is an excerpt from her District 9 report in the newsletter in March 08 - 

"District 9 Report

Hi All,

I've represented District 9 for the past 2 years and like all good things my term in office has come to the end of the road. I've made a tough decision not to run for re-election this year because I simply don't have the extra time to devote to this position. If anyone is interested in running for D-9 Director or any other open office in NARBC but thought it was to late, well guess again. Our club has a write-in vote! Do your campaigning on line and you could be the lucky winner. Good luck to all."

Out of spite Judy told the newsletter editor to put the following "IN Sally's District 9 report". Out of respect for Sally the editor did not put it in Sallies report but below it. - 

"President's note - Your dues must be paid thru the term. (A write-in will not be considered if you are knowingly campaigning and you have not paid your dues. This is part of the election process rules.) After your dues are paid, you can post your request for support on the NARBC group list one time. If someone wants to see your resume, that needs to be done privately. Thank you for cooperating! Judy"

Ok by who's authority Judy can make decisions like You can only "post to the NARBC list one time" if you decide to run after resumes have been printed? It was never voted on or discussed she just said "that's the way it is"!!  Judy denies telling the newsletter editor that she said to "put the above remark in Sallies report BUT there is an email Judy sent to prove otherwise!

This is what Sally said to Judy when she saw the above NOTE - 

*Judy,*
* *
*I just finished reading the Newsletter and your President's note attached to the bottom of my report is quite offensive and demeaning.  Who gave you the right to treat me with out respect and belittle me in print before the entire membership.  I expected more from you.....  *
* *

* What is stated is; There is a write-in vote...... that's it.*
* In the past, a write-in candidate wasn't required to follow official election rules.... Below are some of the following reasons given; *
*1.   A write-in candidate is drafted into office.  *
*2.  It's the members of the club "seeking" the candidate to be in office.*
*3.  The write in has the right to turn down the office.*
*4.  Only after the write-in has agreed to accept the position is he or she required to pay dues through the term of office.                                                                  *
* Realistically there's no way to govern it.*
* *
*Regards,*
*Sally *

(the quotes and emails will be posted later today.)