Who directs the National Association?

The National portion of our Organization is a very important aspect. We need to be united, part of a whole, and associated to a larger group. We are all affected by the actions and business of "National". I put, to you, who gives National direction, and steers them in the directions that the membership wish?

In the past, the direction came from the members. We could all have motions brought to the floor of the National Convention. We had our Governors on the board (with the members concerns). In those days National was solely directed by the members.

Then we changed the format of the National board, to remove the Governors and use an Association Director. Being on that first board for a period of 2½ years, my goal was to try to establish the purpose of the Association Director to just relieve the Governors work load. Myself and a couple other board members believed that the Association Directors could be an asset to the Association. This could be done by the A.D. doing the grunt work at National, thus allowing the Governors more time to concern themselves with the business of the District.

At this time the Association Director now known as a National Director (N.D.) takes their direction, from the National President and the Executive Director. The Governor has very little input into the direction of the board, only through external means, they have no direct input. The N.D. is a representative of the National Association, when attending District events. They are NOT the Districts representative on the National Board. The N.D. is only allowed to make the scripted statements that are provided by the board, they can not give their views on any issue. They also can not release any information prior to having permission from the board. The regular member has no way to advise the N.D. on the direction that they wish the national board to go.

All the new directions we have (Vision 20/20, being green, balanced scorecard, etc.) come from the Executive Director, to the N.D.’s that devise a policy, with the Governors overview after the fact. Then it is presented to the members as a done deal.

Are these plans or policies bad, absolutely not!! Are they member driven, no!! “National” has become an elite group. Look at all the committees and boards; you will see the same names over and over. If you speak out about the direction or policies of National, you will have a hard time to get into that group.

The National Directors need to be a representative of their District. The Governors should be directing them to what direction to move the Association. The National Directors would then formulate a process to carry out the direction. Then the Executive Director should carry out the wishes of the Board, the E.D. should be only advising the board not directing it. Then when a plan or policy is developed, the members approve them at their District Conventions and then at National Convention.

I only want to see more member involvement in the Association. At this time I see us having no input or say in OUR Association.