Letter To Membership: NPPA Elections
DURHAM, NC (August 27, 2009) – NPPA members today were sent this open letter regarding the upcoming board of directors national election:
To our fellow NPPA members,
In a matter of weeks a new election season shall be upon us.
No, we’re not talking about the Democrats and Republicans. We’re writing to you about the NPPA, and your role in electing a brand new national Board of Directors and regional leaders.
For the first time in our history that board will not be determined on a geographical basis. Our board will consist of six at-large members, from wherever they come, and elected by all members across the country and around the world. Additionally, the President will be appointing three board members, whomever he feels will best help serve this organization with their knowledge, skills and experience.
At the same time as the board election, members in the six odd-numbered regions will elect local leaders to the re-named and slightly re-tasked positions of Regional Chair and Associate Chair. These individuals will take up a very important role in the organization, for they will be the foot soldiers (if you will) in the grassroots.
The Chair and Associate Chair in each region retain all the rights and responsibilities for the operations of regional activities that the Regional Directors and Associate Directors had in the old system. While they will no longer be automatically seated on the Board of Directors, they will retain the authority to appoint all the same regional volunteer positions; oversee the regional publication (web site); and plan regional events. The Regional Chairs will submit a budget request just as in the past, and have the same authority to spend budgeted funds for appropriate activities.
Some may see the separation of a board seat from the regional responsibilities as a demotion. But we also see that there are people now interested in serving on our board who in the past were not interested in the duties of regional chair. It is our belief that there are those among you who continue to see the role of Regional Chair as a great opportunity to do things at the grassroots of this organization.
If you want to see local activities continue in your region, please consider stepping up and volunteering. If you are now, or once were, a regional director, please step forward with that experience. If you are now a local volunteer who has a strong connection to your region, take a step up.
Or if you simply believe in this organization, either at the grassroots or the national policy level, please consider stepping forward for a role in this new structure.
You may contact either of us, or any current board member, if you have questions or wish to place your name in nomination. Contact information for all may be found through the links listed below.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sean D. Elliot, former Director NPPA Region One (NPPA Vice President)
Tony Overman, former Director NPPA Region Eleven (Current NPPA Past President)
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