NOTE to SCs - I have sent this email to duplicate addresses in a few cases. Since I had computer problems earlier in the Spring, I no longer am getting email from the lists in LA & OK and don't think I ever did get mail from KS or NM. Trying to cover you all so that CCs can see we are out there trying to represent their issues.... Please forward to the appropriate lists in your states if this does not make it to the list on its own. Thanks, Jana Black ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello all, This is a report from your SW/SC CC Regional USGW Project Representatives: Elections are fast upon us. To vote, you need to register at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgwelections/register.html We understand that many of you are so frustrated at the tone and manner that posters have used on ALL-L that you are not subbed there, nor do you follow the actions of your Advisory Board on Board-L. From our perspective, this AB has not accomplished much in terms of new legislation. However, in making an overview assessment, you have had an opportunity to see what amounts to a face-to-face board meeting which drones on and on before anything actually gets done. This has created frustration and at times some volatility. In any case, if you are willing to plow through the archives of either list, you can catch yourself up on what has happened this year. Here are highlights of what in our opinion are the important issues of the day: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jana Black's SW/SC CC Rep seat is for two years, so this election signifies that she has survived (barely) her first year and has one more year to go. Phyllis Rippee, chosen to fill out the remainder of Ken Short's term, may not be running again, so one CC Rep seat in our region may be open. Betsy Mills' term is up and she has said she will not be running again. So the SC Rep's seat may be open as well. Eligible candidates for that seat would be: Betsy Mills - AR Michael Jarvis - AZ Richard Wilson - CA Tom or Carolyn Ward or Nancy Trice - KS Edward J. Hayden Jr. or Annette Womack - LA Larry Flescher or Jerry Holland or Yvonne James-Henderson - MO Patricia Scott or Mark Swarthout - NV Susan Bellomo or Pat Smith or Jo Fox - NM Marti Graham or Sharon Crawford - OK Trey Holt or Dana Thomas - TX Andy Wold - UT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of importance to all of us is the current work on the Bylaws: A grass-roots group formed on ALL-L and hashed out amendments to the current Bylaws that make some definite shifts of control within the Project. In order to reach the ballot, this effort needs sponsorship from at least 5 state projects. Currently it has the sponsorship of NV. We are not endorsing this effort, but do commend the CCs, ASCs and SCs who worked together to come up with their proposals. If you wish to read them and familiarize yourselves with them, they can be found at http://www.usgenweb.org/official/official.html Meanwhile, the NC appointed a Bylaws Revision Committee that is working to revise the current bylaws. Their efforts may not be complete in time for this election. If the work of this committee is completed in time, the results will be posted and you will be able to compare and contrast the two efforts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ About the most important thing we have learned as AB members this year is how little authority the AB actually has. All the AB can actually do is Advise. What this means is that SCs (who can range anywhere on the efficacy scale from terrific to dictatorial) do not have any obligation to cooperate with the AB should they choose *not* do so. The only recourse CCs have if they have received an Advisory Board statement after filing a grievance, or if there has been a mediation process and the SC refuses to cooperate, would be to attempt a grass-roots campaign to vote out the SC according to the bylaws: "ARTICLE XII. STATE PROJECTS: Section 9. State Coordinators and Assistant State Coordinators are subject to possible removal by a 2/3 vote of the Advisory Board and a 2/3 vote of the Local Coordinators within the state. A quorum of 75% of the Local Coordinators shall participate in order for the vote to be binding." While this can be accomplished, such an effort puts the burden on CCs without any enforceable support from the National Level. Perhaps through the grass-roots proposals, or through the Bylaws Revision Committee, the bylaws will be changed to create a more equitable, thus more level playing field for the CCs. However, the SCs must also be able to remove CCs for reasons that should be listed as nation-wide policy. Obviously in some states, everyone already works cooperatively, so there is no problem. But, where such is not the case, the ultimate effect is that CCs get disgruntled, strip their sites and move elsewhere. This is not good for the Project. If you are interested in learning more, please email us or subscribe to Board-L. (You will be subbed as read only, but this will enable you to see exactly what your Board members are saying.) Jana Black & Phyllis Rippee County Coordinator Representatives SW/SC Region, USGW Project