Nominations - 2008

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Its hard to beleive but the year is almost over! Its time to start
thinking about the new board for next year. Nominations for board
positions need to be finalized by the October meeting with Elections
happening just prior to the Nov/Dec combo meeting and results
announced at the Nov/Dec combo meeting.

Clubs are run by everyday folks like you and me. For all you've
gained as a member of GWAPA - this is a good opportunity to
give back to the club. It doesn't take up a tremendous amount of
time/effort and gives you some benefitial experience.
Seriously think about running for a position on the board.

We have the following positions open.

President - Kris has been nominated
Vice President - Jeff will rerun for this position
Corresponding Secretary - Dave has been nominated - he has yet to accept. Aaron will reluctantly keep this position if noone else will take it.
Recording Secretary
Treasurer - Sean is rerunning for this position.

Post nominations on this thread or you can nominate someone
at the meeting. If you're nominating someone, they have to
accept the nomination for it to be valid. You may nominate yourself
for a position as long as any other current member 2nds your nomination.
Don't worry about 'hurting' someones feeling by running against them. We need new blood on the board - get some new ideas going.

Let the blood bath begin!

[krisw]

I'd like to nominate myself for recording secretary since it's kind of linked to the web administration stuff I already do.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

I 2nd Kris as Recording Secretary - he's been doing an outstanding job
with the forum and website.

[JMLenke]

Let the blood bath begin!

*starts handing out the knives*

[krisw]

Since I'm now running for president, we'll need someone to run for recording secretary. This is the perfect position for any new board member wanting to see what is involved, and to be able to participate in all of the "board only" discussions that help to shape our club. I plan to continue taking pictures and writing up meeting summaries for the website, so there's really not that much obligation, beyond whatever extra you want to give. Remember, that you don't have to be an expert aquascaper, or even able to grow every plant you try, to serve on the board.

[JMLenke]

Hey Kris could you PM or post what the different positions do?

[krisw]

Jeff, the answer is largely fluid, in that there is admittedly overlap between them, but to summarize:

President/Vice President - Leads the club. Set event/workshop/trip schedules for the year. Runs the club meetings. Is the face of the club.

Corresponding Secretary - Contacts outside organizations for sponsorships, group orders, inter-club activities, etc...

Recording Secretary - Keeps a record of the club's activities.

Treasurer - Manages the club's finances.

And of course, any member who is eager to spearhead a certain activity/goal may very well handle all of these tasks for that activity.

[Jamie G]

When is the cut off date for nominations ?

It is my (more my wifes plan) that I slow down the weekend work next year as she will be done with school.

I wouldn't mind taking a position, if I had the time to dedicate to it.. which is where my uncertainty lies.

Maybe ill just see how '08 goes and make my contribution in the '09 year...yeah .. thats the best thing for now.

dont mind me im just writing what im thinking in my head ..

[krisw]

Nominations will be set at the next meeting, and then voted upon on the forum to be announced by the Nov/Dev meeting.

Most of the board work is done online in the forums, with the exception of a usually board meeting sometime in the beginning of the year and as needed. It's recommended to be able to come to most of the meetings so that you stay in touch with the club.

That said, you don't have to be a board members to spearhead GWAPA projects. If you find that have extra time sometime in 08, and want to organize a workshop at a fish store in Crofton, by-all-means you can do that, and the board will support you where you need it. Similarly with helping out at things like aquafest. Or even, like Aaron's suggestion to go to the Suitland Bog earlier this month. We were going already. The only organization Aaron had to do to include GWAPA was to post the info on the forum, and then call the ranger and tell him how many people to expect. Any member can do that.

[Jamie G]

It's recommended to be able to come to most of the meetings so that you stay in touch with the club.

Thats my major concern right there .. for this year ..