Election of Officers - November 2

[DeletedAccount]

On Sunday, November 2 we are going to be electing our official club officers! In order to be an officer you should be someone that is actively involved in the club portion of this group, you MUST be a dues paying member, and you need to have the time and energy to devote to the club. This will be work for the first few years, but it will be highly rewarding as you see what you have done turn this into an AWESOME organization.

We need multiple volunteers to run for each position. Please post ON THIS THREAD your intention to run for an office. We would love to have at least two people for each position. Please, do not assume that "if so and so is running I do not have a chance"!

We will be holding elections for President, Vice President, and multiple Board of Directors. I will post a link to the by-laws as soon as I can so that everyone will know what each position involves!

Secretary and Treasurer are appointed positions. Please, also post if you are interested in either of these positions, as well!

Thank you!
Misti

[Chris]

The MAAST ByLaws can be downloaded from here (http://www.maast.org/docs/MAAST-By-Laws.pdf).

Keep in mind that these positions will require some dedication to the organization, but won't "necessarily" take up that much of your time. You will be required to attend seperate Board Meetings which may or may not fall on the same day as our regular monthly club meetings.



Due to my current situation, I am at this moment unsure if I will be able to dedicate the time warranted for the position of President, but I may change my mind come closer to November.

I'm more than thrilled however to announce my candidacy for a Board position. I feel after all I have done for this organization and all that I hope to achieve in the future, that I can continue to contribute and see that this club reaches the success it so righteously deserves.

And I promise not to increase your taxes so come November 2nd, vote for me! http://www.cpugh.com/img/deal.gif


:skeezy:

EDIT: I'm officially running for President now. You can read further on in the thread for more details.

[Chris]

Just to further clarify, if you're wishing to take part in more activities of the club but don't feel you can dedicate the time needed for a Board or Executive position we do have, and will have more positions available for seperate committees. Any member is invited to participate and contribute any and all time they feel comfortable with. One such committee which you can speak to Misti about is to help with organizing our monthly meetings.

Additionally, I feel it's important that some of the duties and powers of the mentioned positions be clearly stated so that everyone knows what they're volunteering for.

The Board of Directors shall be invested with the following duties:
a. Assemble in regular, special and Board meetings when called.
b. Call special meetings of the membership of the organization when deemed necessary and in the interest of the organization.
c. Announce vacancies within the elected offices of the organization.
d. Announce and hold special elections to fill vacancies within the elected offices of the organization.
e. Announce and hold the annual election of Officers and Directors to be held at the regular monthly membership meeting in December of each year.
f. Consider all application for membership in the organization, and render decisions thereon;
g. Select and cause to be used an emblem.
h. Approve the chairperson of all Committees.
i. Authorize any of the elected officers, Directors, or any other member of the Association, or any other persons on behalf of the organization, to execute deeds, contracts, drafts and other obligations necessary or expedient for carrying out the business of the organization.
j. Direct, manage, and control the affairs and business of the organization and adopt rules, regulations and policies for the conduct of business of the organization that are not inconsistent with the Laws of the United States of America, the State of Texas, and these by-laws.
k. In the event the President and Vice-President leave office, the Board of Directors will appoint an interim President from within the Board of Directors.

The President shall:
a. Preside at the regular monthly membership meetings of the organization and at other special meetings of the Society.
b. Call the Board of Directors together and preside at the meeting.
c. Appoint the chair of all Committees subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
d. Appoint all special committees.
e. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
f. Call special meetings when necessary.
g. Appoint the Secretary and Treasurer, in conjunction with the Vice-President.

The Vice–President shall
a. Perform the duties of the President during any absence of the President, and be an ex-officio member of all committees.
b. Become President should the President leave the organization.
c. Appoint Secretary and Treasurer, in conjunction with the President.

The Secretary shall
a. Attend all regular monthly and special meetings of the organization and record its date, place and proceedings.
b. Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and keep a full and complete record of the proceedings.
c. Be the custodian of all the documents of the organization other than those pertaining specifically to the other offices of the organization.
d. Countersign as Secretary of the organization all instruments, papers, and documents when asked to do so by the Board of Directors.
e. Keep all minutes available for the inspection of the Board of Directors at any of their regular meetings and likewise available for the inspection of the members of the organization at every regular monthly membership meeting.
f. Submit a copy of the minutes of each meeting to the President.

The Treasurer shall
a. Be custodian of all funds and securities of the organization and as such take adequate precautions to safeguard them.
b. Keep a regular book of accounts of the funds and securities.
c. Dispense money for the payment of bills and current expenses of the organization as authorized by the Board of Directors and keep the same as part of the Treasurer’s records.
d. Report all financial transactions of the organization when called upon to do so at the meetings of the Board of Directors and at the regular monthly membership meetings of the organization.
e. Make the book of accounts of the organization available for inspection by the members of the organization at every regular monthly membership meeting and available for inspection by the Board of Directors.
f. Make the book of accounts available for inspection by an audit committee appointed by the President.
g. Receive all dues and issue membership cards.
h. Prepare all regulatory and tax filings as required under federal and state statutes.


Seriously though... it's not that overwhelming and will be great fun! :grin: Just think how nice it will look on your resume to say you're a Board of Director for an organization! :skeezy:

8)

[TexasState]

If any of you guy work for Wal-Mart Distribution and can volunteer 20 (or is it 25 hours) per quarter at a non-profit organization, Wal-Mart will donate a $200 (or is it $250) check to that non-profit organization for you. So each Wal-Mart associate could potentially earn $800 per year for MAAST through your volunteer effort. If you need more information, please contact your personel office.

[Jenn]

I think where I work (The Scooter Store) may have a similar program. I will check on it this week.

[Jenn]

Why did you go? I just started here Sept. 2nd, its pretty cool. They sure do things different here!

[captexas]

I might be interested in a Board position and would definately help out on some committes when I can. I can't run for president as I'm waiting to see if I get elected Governer of California! :-D

[kaiser]

LOL... We need to change you from captexas to Terminator!
If thats the case we need to rename You to Crashtest Dummie. :-D

[Chris]

So for now we have the following people running...

President
???

Vice-President
???

Board of Directors
Chris Parker
Chris Pugh
Misti Thueson
Joshua Knutson
Mike Liesman

Any additional volunteers?

[Texreefer]

I nominate misti for treasurer and I will through my name in for board of directors

[Chris]

I nominate misti for treasurer and I will through my name in for board of directors

Treasurer is an appointed position based on the Presidents decision and to be approved by the BoD. (I think that's right) ;)



Hey wait a minute, that was contingent on you NOT running for it. I think you'd make a much better president and honestly think if at all possible you should run. I'd vote for ya!

Yeah I'm thinking I may just as well do that. 8)

[Jeff Post]

I am willing to help do something. I am not sure what help if any is needed so let me know if you need it.

[DeletedAccount]

We are in desperate need of a secretary. This is an appointed position, but we need to know who may be interested. This is an extremely important position. The person needs to be someone who comes to every meeting and will be willing to take notes on what is happening. We need to get this started before we can open a checking account or get non-profit status! Please, if you would be interested in this position, post here!

Misti

[Texreefer]

yeah chris,, i was getting ahead of myself. it is an appointed position... like misti said secretary and treasurer are both important positions and we need someone who will be dedicated to these two jobs.. thats why Mitsti's name came to mind.

[Sherri]

I would be interested in the Secretary position. I was an Executive Secretary for too many years (won't mention how many) and currently take notes at Staff Meetings at a Beauty College where I am an Instructor. I also own my own small wholesale beauty supply business.

As I mentioned to Misti...IF it happens that I can't make an OUT OF TOWN meeting, that it can be covered. That was my main concern.

I know it is an appointed and important position. So I am volunteering my name to be considered.

Sherri

[Tim Marvin]

I'll help out anyway I can but as you know I can't make it to all the meetings.

[JeffCo]

As October is winding down and it is getting closer to election time. I was wondering if everyone that is running for an office could post some basic background information on what would make them the best person for the postion they are running for (management experience, reefkeeping experience, previous contributions to MAAST etc.). This would give me some time and information to base my decision on who to vote for. I am pretty new to MAAST but I happily paid the membership dues to be part of this organization. I just want to be an informed voter.

[captexas]

Do we have enough people running to even have to vote? LOL.

Let's see . . . I promise not to allow MAAST to declare war on any countries that supposedly have weapons of mass destruction unless we have actual pictures, known whereabouts, and at least 2 trustworthy eye witnesses (this rules out the CIA of course). I also promise not to raise taxes (at least not until the month before my term ends). I will also swear that I have never had an affair, never inhaled or exhaled any illegal drugs, and never hired an illegal alien as a maid or nanny. I also promise not to enact any laws that will prevent you from smoking, visiting topless bars if you want to, owning a gun, saying the Pledge, or anything else that is non of anyone else's business!

Now with all that said, please vote for me as a MAAST Board member :-)

Seriously, I have been active in this previously informal club for many months going back to when it first started on Yahoo. I have attended as many of the monthly meetings as possible (only missed the first two) and have worked within the club when possible to help organize it for the future. I have been in the hobby for over a year now and kept freshwater tanks for awhile before that. I think this is a great hobby (my credit card companies love it!) and I would like to see future generations be able to enjoy it through education and working to protect the natural environment. Hopefully this club will one day be able to make an impact on issues like that. Whether that happens or not, I would like to help the club continue in whatever means possible.

Thanks,
Chris Parker

[DeletedAccount]

I wanted to start out by saying that we have had an informal group that has been getting together and working on By-Laws and concerns for some months. This group consists of 12 or so members, and included in that group is Chris Parker, Chris Pugh, Joshua, Jeff, Jim Norris, and myself (among others, I mention these names because they will likely be running for things)). So, everyone who is running have been the ones that have stepped up, voluntarily, to help to make this club grow. Texreefer is the original founder of this group, back in Yahoo days, he took a short haitus so many newbies wil not recognize his name, but he is MAAST's Daddy! Chris Pugh is also our Webmaster and current MAAST creature (oops! I mean creator).

As for me...

I have been in reef keeping for about 6 years. I have read every book that I have seen on the subject and forgotten or disregarded 99% of it, but I tried! I have been with this group since Yahoo days (as all of the listed people have, I believe). I have been to every meeting, including the first at Tom's Ribs. I showed up at the meeting at Austin Aquariums to give a short, unprepared talk to you then left due to a family emergency I interrupted to go to the meeting, but I did show up! I have been the unofficial meeting organizer for... a long a** time. So, meeting failures are my fault, though successes are not (that is quite a raw deal, huh). This summer Chris P and I worked our tushes off trying to get sponsors and trying to get alliances formed. Most of these attempts have failed to date, but we keep beating our heads against the wall trying anyway. I am also currently the unofficial treasurer.


Now, we need more people to step forward! Right now we are looking at no voting, no competition!

Josh / Chris, y'all running for Pres / VP or do Jim Norris and I have to do it? (Jim, like the way I just volunteered you for that?????)

[Jimnorris]

Now that I am officially running for a position (Misti- :D ) I will offer my services in whatever spot you all think I am able to handle. My main objective is to teach/learn all I can to everyone. I love to share and give, for me that is what makes it happen!!!! I am fairly new to the club so please do not count that against me! I have lots of ideas and feed of the awesome people in this club. I have been into reefs many years :D and have learn alot with much more to go! In my personal job I manage over 50 employees. (more details can be given if required). So please let me know what position you all think and then let's get it going!!!
Jim

[Chris]

Well I believe i've put it off long enough but I would like to announce my official candidacy for the position of President.

For those that don't already know me... I have been involved with MAAST since it was first known as the SA Reefers on the Yahoo! Board. I was part of the initiative to change the name to something that would more clearly represent who we are, which turned into of course, MAAST. I took the initiative to spend my own time and a little bit of money (not much really) to see that the group continued to thrive by moving us to the phpBB bulletin board software that we're using now. I'm the current administrator and handle much of the behind the scenes processes of keeping the site operational. I've been the creative mind behind the evolution of the forums, as well as the leading person for putting much of the information we already have on the site.

Of course I couldn't have done everything without the input and suggestions of the others, but I feel i've helped lead the group in a positive directions, especially with the amount of research I put in to determining what steps we need to undergo to become a non-profit organization "officially".

We still have a ways to go, but I believe with a determined group a board members, and the help of my leadership and that of my vice president that we WILL one day soon see my goal of bringing a MACNA conference to S. Texas very soon.

[Jimnorris]

Ok now lets get this group going! I will now run for the position of Vice President! I think I have alot to offer the club and this will created a bridge connecting the Austin area group with the San Antonio group.
Thanks,
Jim

[DeletedAccount]

YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH, JIM!

[matt]

I'll jump in for a BOD position. My qualifications/interests are:

1. I have a lot of experience in 501c(3) non-profit organizations, having directed an international guitar festival since 1995, which has grown to be one of the leading guitar festivals in the U.S. I also serve on the advisory board for the leading classical guitar organization in the U.S., the guitar foundation of america. So, I have some ideas about typical strengths and weaknesses of the functioning of non-profit groups.

2. I have kept reef tanks for about 3 years; not too much experience, but during that time I've researched a pretty fair amount about captive reef systems, with a special interest in sandbed function, and of course CaCO3 reactors and skimmer design.

3. I have a strong interest in the environmental impact of our hobby, and I feel that MAAST, like some other reefkeeping advocacy groups, should serve to educate and influence people both about care of captive reefs, and the unfortunate state of natural coral reefs. While I do NOT think of MAAST as a political organization, I do feel that we should do whatever is appropriate to present ourselves as an organization concerned about these issues. In particular, we should support efforts at captive breeding programs and responsible capture techniques.

4. For what it's worth, I have a completed PhD from UT Austin. This means I have an unusual tolerence for absurd beaucratic B.S., which might come in handy someday.....

Unfortunately, it would be pretty difficult for me to make the Nov 2 meeting, but I will pay membership dues prior to that. It's my understanding that I won't be able to vote if I can't make the meeting, but can I still run?

Matt

[DeletedAccount]

Yes, Matt. You can still run! We will all say wonderful things about you at the meeting!

By the way, Matt is one of the group of folks that helped us hash out our by-laws!

[Jimnorris]

What a truly outstanding group of people here!
Jim

[DeletedAccount]

So, if I have this right, we have running:

Pres
Chris Pugh
VP
Jim Norris
BOD
Joshua Knutson (????)
Captexas (Chris Parker)
Matt
MAThueson (Misti)
Texreefer (Mike Liesman)

And interest in Secretary position = Sherri

Have I missed anyone? Quite a few have said they would help where ever. Does where ever mean a position on the Board, a committee, ??? I don't wanna overlook anyone.

[DeletedAccount]

Not even as a BOD?

[Triggerman]

i really like the idea of the SA/Austin officials this seems like it'll help alot with communication.

i'm always willing to help if i can, maybe with a commitee or something.

i've been a fishman for 20+ yrs. of course i started with the goldfish in a bowl and progressed from there on (i have to thank my parents for this addiction). marine hobby in itself about 12 yrs. or so with actually being in the industry for 8yrs. petshops/servicing etc. i can't seem to get away, not that i want to.

ray

[texasranchers]

Question, will there be an online voting or email votes for those who can't make the meeting? If our dues are paid, of course.

[JeffCo]

The meeting is fast approaching and I plan on attending, but I have not found Jim's address posted anywhere. Can someone post his address, I will be driving in from SA and need to print out a map. Thanks. and is the meeting still at 2 PM?

[DeletedAccount]

Jim's address is 1018 Oaklands Drive, Round Rock, TX 78681

Yes, the meeting is still at 2pm!

[OrionN]

So what is the election result. I seem to missed it.
Minh

[captexas]

Elected Officials
Pres: Chris Pugh (Chris)
VP: Jim Norris (JimN)

Board of Directors:
Chris Parker (captexas)
Matt (Matt)
Misti (MAThueson)
Ray (Triggerman)
Adam Busenlehner (AdamInAustin)
Henry Moncada (Henry)
Tim Marvin (Tim Marvin)
Barry Drawdy (beareef19)
Dave Pulliam (dvpulliam)

Appointed Positions
Secretary: Sherri
Treasurer: Misti