My experience so far has been that just getting someone to volunteer to
be an officer at any level is a challenge. The number of ex-military is
just an indication of how many have forgotten the old adage "don't
volunteer". They've just got to get in there and make things happen.
This year at the July IBT there were actually two people who threw their
names in the hat for Third Vice President. And if you recall two years
ago there were two candidates as well. The delegates actually got to
decide that one. Whoops! you would have to be a delegate to be part of
that. Of course the delegates voted based on what their individual unit
members decided. Wow, almost like a democracy!
It's a whole lot easier and more fun to sit back and pick rather than to
1. Figure out how the system works.
2. Involve yourself in the system.
3. Work your way up through the system.
4. Take over and change the system.
Just imagine if a small group of "concerned members" got together,
volunteered to become officers at their units, then regions and then at
the International level. Once two or three got into position they could
make some major correction, eh? Has anybody tried it?
The rather brief resume without stating positions on club matters makes
it even easier. Nobody will see them coming until its to late.
Charlie
>>>Speaking of military, I noticed in the Blue Beret issue with the slate
>>>of nominated officers (why not two candidates per position?) bios that
>>>many if not the majority of the candidates were retired military career
>>>officers or civilian employees on military bases....
>>>
>>>
>>Hi Dr. G:
>>
>> What's this!! Do you expect to be given a choice of whom to vote
>>for in the WBCCI??!
>>
>>
>
>Most certainly. After all, this is a democratic country based on choices
>where many lives have been sacrificed to ensure the government gives
>such choices in elections, though of late the choices sometimes seem to
>be between the unqualified and the outright dishonest.
>
>
>> You must realize, of course, it's much easier on everyone if you are
>>given only one candidate to vote for, as is now done.
>>
>>
>
>I could justify one candidate per position in a club with 12 members but
>in a group with thousands of members I wouldn't.
>
>
>
>>This thoughtful
>>policy avoids voter confusion at the polling place, avoids contested
>>results and ballot recounts which, as we all saw in Florida, can turn
>>into a real messy affair, and avoids all discussion or debate on
>>relevant issues. It lets the present officers select their successors
>>via the Nominating Committee of immediate past officers, thus assuring a
>>continuity in successful policies and procedures that has brought the
>>club to where it is today.
>>
>>
>
>Yes, falling on its knees from lack of participation and from members
>neglecting to reup or join.
>
>
>> Finally, you will note, there are no candidate statements or
>>position papers on what they might think about anything, especially the
>>WBCCI. You do receive, however, a full page black and white resume
>>listing every position they have held and every award they have received
>>since high school. Those wonderful resumes tell you who they are
>>without indicating what they may think about anything, such as the
>>future direction for the Club. You only learn that once they are in
>>office and begin writing columns in the Blue Beret which, as a matter of
>>policy, will not publish any letters from members asking questions or
>>seeking to start a dialog.
>>
>>
>
>So once one has been elected/appointed 17th vice president the route to
>president/king is fully greased should you live so long?
>
>
>
>>What could be more simple or better for you?.
>>
>>
>
>Nobody said democracy was simple or need be simple.
>
>
>> Dr. G, you sound as if you do not understand what is good for you
>>and that, heavens forbid, you might want to make up your own mind.
>>That's a very dangerous concept that cannot be tolerated, for your own
>>good, of course. Trust us, we know what is best for you.
>>
>>
>
>Yes of course, local draft board 222 knew what was best for me once and
>its exactly that action during an unpopular war that has made me
>rebellious as the local city council has found while they have been
>supporting the building of a mall next to my farm. If I have affected
>property, I must make efforts to protect that property. If I have an
>Airstream it runs just fine without WBCCI.
>
>
>>
>>Very truly yours,
>>
>>THE WAY THINGS RUN COMMITTEE
>>
>>
>>
>So the question is to see if the changes come from activities inside or
>outside the club.