President’s Message – May/June 2009

Circumstances have once again made me your president until Camp B.

We received a handful of emails expressing opinions about the proposed changes to our by-laws that we mailed out to you. Thanks for your input. We have attempted to answer some of your concerns through emails. At our April 19 meeting, the board approved all of the changes except for the Purpose wording; that remains as it was. We will have time at our member’s meeting at Camp B (and beyond) to discuss that further. And now that we have input from our legal council, we can look more closely at other possible wording changes to better comply with NWSSA’s needs and the law.

This year we are losing board members Karl Hufbauer and Verena Schwippert who have each served the maximum allowable three consecutive, two year terms. Constance Jones and Tom Francis both recently resigned for personal reasons, and Rich Andler has chosen not to run for a second two year term. This leaves four board members: Petra Brambrink, Bill Brayman, Lane Tompkins and Leon White.

The board decided to elect three new board members. Our nominating committee was Arliss Newcomb (non-board member chair), Rich Andler and Lane Tompkins. Your mail-in ballot has been inserted into this Journal. Please fill it out, fold it, tape it and drop it in the mail. You have until June 30 to get this done.

At the new board’s first meeting (after the member’s meeting), a new president, vice president, treasurer and secretary will be elected by the BOD, as they are every year.

Additionally, you should have received a questionnaire on your email. If you have sent it back, thank you. If you haven’t, please do. The board needs your answers. We have to decide by the end of Camp B (in just over 40 days) whether or not we will pay the $5,000 deposit for 2010.

Looking forward to seeing you at Camp B (This year for sure) So, pack up your stone and your tools (or buy them there) and remember to bring your enthusiasm for carving, talking and good times on the field, at the table, and around the campfire.

See you there.

Lane Tompkins