General Consultant Discussion

Who are the present directors and who is coming off the board?

Current board members include:  Alnoor Cassim, Chuck Peddy, Gary Feldman, Madeline Stefanou, Michelle Taylor, Robert Wood (end of his term), Karen O'Lane (leaving the board).  The two new members will be replacng Robert Wood and Karen O'Lane.

Who are the present directors and who is coming off the board?

And the officers are?

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Jeff Schwenk
Bottomline Software, Inc.
(540) 221-4444
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2024 13:45
From: Madeline Stefanou
Subject: 90 Minds 2024 Board of Directors Nominations and Ballots

Current board members include:  Alnoor Cassim, Chuck Peddy, Gary Feldman, Madeline Stefanou, Michelle Taylor, Robert Wood (end of his term), Karen O'Lane (leaving the board).  The two new members will be replacng Robert Wood and Karen O'Lane.

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Madeline Stefanou
RKL eSolutions, LLC


Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2024 13:32
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: 90 Minds 2024 Board of Directors Nominations and Ballots

Who are the present directors and who is coming off the board?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
Bottomline Software, Inc.
(540) 221-4444

Friendly Reminder to look for your email message from:  90 Minds Inc <invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com>

Subject:  Vote now: 90 Minds Inc. - 2024 90 Minds Director Election

The Voting Deadline is February 19, 2024 at 5 pm Pacific time (US & Canada).

I've poked around but am unable to find much (if any) background on the candidates, reasons for wanting to serve on the board or any vision statement on how they would guide the group to future greatness.  Without any of this type of information, how am I to make an informed decision and get the most from my vote?  Being a board member requires strategic thinking, and a willingness to serve the membership all the while keeping an eye on the bottom line (just to name a few).

Currently, I know two people from the 2019 meeting, I have no information on the third at all.  Due to this lack of knowledge, I am reminded of my high school class election which was just a popularity contest.

Please be a little more transparent!  There are only three days left until the polls close.

Friendly Reminder to look for your email message from:  90 Minds Inc <invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com>

Subject:  Vote now: 90 Minds Inc. - 2024 90 Minds Director Election

The Voting Deadline is February 19, 2024 at 5 pm Pacific time (US & Canada).

Jeff,

There are more details of each candidate presented during the voting process.

(I voted already).

I've poked around but am unable to find much (if any) background on the candidates, reasons for wanting to serve on the board or any vision statement on how they would guide the group to future greatness.  Without any of this type of information, how am I to make an informed decision and get the most from my vote?  Being a board member requires strategic thinking, and a willingness to serve the membership all the while keeping an eye on the bottom line (just to name a few).

Currently, I know two people from the 2019 meeting, I have no information on the third at all.  Due to this lack of knowledge, I am reminded of my high school class election which was just a popularity contest.

Please be a little more transparent!  There are only three days left until the polls close.

Friendly Reminder to look for your email message from:  90 Minds Inc <invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com>

Subject:  Vote now: 90 Minds Inc. - 2024 90 Minds Director Election

The Voting Deadline is February 19, 2024 at 5 pm Pacific time (US & Canada).

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

Not having served as long or as early as @Jeff Schwenk or @Jerry Norman, I am unaware of the history. What were the roadblocks to having all of this information on the website when you guys were on the executive team?

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

@Jerry Norman, current officers / board are on the website. https://www.90minds.com/board-of-directors/

I don't believe the other two bullet points are covered. 

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

Correct.  Thanks @Kevin Moyes for pointing that out.  There is a bio on the ballot to share each candidates information.  I also voted already and did not make screen shots of the information.    

My apologies about the BOD page. I did look there, and ... completely missed it!! I'm so sorry. 

@Jerry Norman, current officers / board are on the website. https://www.90minds.com/board-of-directors/

I don't believe the other two bullet points are covered. 

There is a larger issue here that has bugged me the entire time I was on the board: somehow it remains impossible to put organizational information on our website to help explain to the group key things like:

• current Bylaws
• Current Directors and term expirations
• Current officers
• Policies toward committee work and how to participate.

Anne posts some of this info from time to time, but they are impossible (for me, at least) to find later. 

I am still mystified as why this basic organizational communication foundation is still not present.

@Jeff Schwenk you have some great ideas.  We could really use someone with a fresh perspective on our Committees.  Let's Chat at the end of the month at the MOTM's Event.  I'm very interested in a fresh perspective, thank you. 

So why is this just coming out now?  You are missing an important opportunity here.  Is this what we get for the 40% dues increase?  More Meh?

I apologize that I was unable to vote until today.  I have had a rather busy couple of weeks, but I won't bore anyone with the details.  As for the ballot, I find it hard to believe that intelligent people couldn't click on simple links to read the bios on the candidates.  I certainly noticed them.  I need to ask Doug, but I bet that Sprinkles saw those links. I appreciate the information on the three candidates because, honestly, I was NOT in on the vetting and selection process, so I went and read each bio and didn't just select the people I know.  This is a very important decision to help us move forward.

 
I have served on a number of volunteer boards over the past 40 years and believe in the quote from Jimmy Doolittle; "There is no muscle stronger than the heart of a volunteer."  These people put their names forward to volunteer to help this organization and I don't discount or belittle their motivations.  In fact, I applaud them.  It's a shame that we don't currently have room for all of them.

As to the question of the current board makeup and terms, etc.  @Anne Sawyer pointed out the Board Bios on the main 90 Minds page.  I suppose that we could/should list terms.  It might help to know whose terms are ending and who's rotating off for whatever reason. 

Dues increases and fees are a totally different subject and should be presented to the board.  I don't want to pay more than the value I get, and I don't want anyone else to feel that way. But at the end of the day this is a community of people who have a common interest, and we have basic costs to provide services to everyone.  Unfortunately, those services cost and we need to make sure that we stay viable as a community.

Some documents should certainly be available to members, but we need to be careful just which documents are public facing.  Shortly after I joined the board, I shared documents that I have from other non-profit boards on which I have served.  It is my sincere hope that as we move forward, we will have many more policies and procedures codified so that everyone knows what to expect going forward.  

Life isn't perfect but we should always strive to improve ourselves every day.  And that is what we should do as part of this community.