To PDF or not to PDF

We always want to PDF our files. (Personal Document File). Yes we must, because everyone knows that those evil Kin will change the files. So we must PDF it so that no changes can be made. Now I am being sarcastic, but we do need to make sure we have the newest and accurate files.

But PLEASE people we do have to have the WORD file, and need it accessible. I spent hours with our awards rules, because we only had the PDF file (and 28 different files and not one). We had to retype the entire file and double check every page. We do not have to be too protective of our files. We have the PDF to make sure it is accurate, we also need the word file so people can copy paste and change for motions, etc.

So we will not steal your precious info. Be free, people have word and we wont try to con you by showing you a wrong file.

National does a survey

We all recently got a link to do a National survey. I was so happy, this is the only way we get to introduce the regular members input. However, as you will see, the input they will get is very limited. Here is the link...

http://www.kincanada.ca/kinsmen-pages/en/specialty/44/Highlight4

Now, a survey or a referendum are only as good as the question they ask. the question can be worded in such a way as to get the answer you want. the questions must be open and simple. Here are the questions that the National Board of Directors presented;

1. How should the activities of Kin Canada affect Canadians over the next five years?

2. Describe the results the efforts of Kin Canada have had on Canadians?

3. How have the activities of your club contributed to the mission of Kin Canada?

4. How can the association better serve its members in making them better Kin?

5. How does Kin best serve Canada and Canadians?

WHAT?????

 

These questions are very abstract. They all need a 1,000 word essay to answer each one. I read them and did not understand what the National Board wanted. It would seem to me that the Board of Directors wants to give the impression of getting input from the members, without actually getting any valid information. These questions are vague, and not focused, I believe that the Board is trying to look like "intellectual visionary's".

 

Now, I do want you to answer the survey. Please do go to the site and be part of active Kin. But answer questions that you would like to be asked. Give them the information that you wish to give. Maybe operational issues, now the Board does not deal with operational issues, but who does? 

 

Question 3, mentions the Mission Statement.

 

'Kin Canada is a dynamic volunteer organization enriching our communities through service while embracing national pride, positive values, personal development and lasting friendships.'

or is it?

“Committed to changing lives and making Canadian communities a better place to live”

I am not sure which one of these statements is the actual Mission statement. Both are a very good start, however they are way too detailed. They threw everything into these statements, except the kitchen sink. They have become confusing and too much information. I do like the second one, of course with some words removed;

Kin Canada, Changing lives..

Simple, to the point, easy to remember, look great on banners and brouchures. Need I say more?

Yes we want surveys, we want to participate. Please just make it relevant and important to us. And I do want to thank the Board for their hard work, I just think that they get mislead and drift off the tracks.

Really, is a Proxy vote good for Kin?

Proxy Definition;

1. A person authorized to act for another; an agent or substitute.

2. The authority to act for another.

3. The written authorization to act in place of another.

District 5 House Rules, Section 14, Article 7;

District Proxy

a)   A proxy shall be allowed at District Convention, Fall Leadership Conference or any special membership meeting.

b)  A proxy is the authority given to an active life member or active member, in good standing within the District, to vote on behalf of an absentee Club.

c)   A proxy must be in written form, delivered to the credentials desk prior to the commencement of the District meeting. A proxy must be dated, may have a statement of intent to proxy voting authority, be signed by, two executive members preferably the President and the Secretary.

d)  Proxy authority may be used at any poll vote or ballot vote, within that assigned District meeting.

A proxy does allow all Kin to have their voice. This seems to be the only benefit to a proxy. We have a proxy to give the illusion of democracy and fairness. In reality many organization do NOT have a proxy vote, reasons are as follows;

• ·        A proxy is, in essence, a power of attorney. Thus the proxy holder votes how they feel the vote should be placed, and not necessarily how the absent member wanted the vote placed.

• ·        A proxy will dramatically change the dynamics of the floor of a conference. When a straw vote is held, we would have 80 people in the room, with all the information. If a poll vote is held, then there will be 500 votes, with about 5 Kin holding ¾ of the vote. I do not believe that this is democratic or fair. This is a recipe for disillusion for the majority of members.

• ·        We have a huge issue with participation in Kinventions and conferences. We need to educate members and make them more active in our Association. Do we do this with the proxy rule? A proxy allows members and Clubs to stay home. A proxy just rewards members for not being active. We need to make members accountable, if they wish to have a voice, they must become part of the Organization.

• ·        All Clubs need only send one member to be able to have their own vote. This should not be difficult, to send at least one member.

A proxy does not promote democracy; rather it puts the voting power in the hands of a few. We need more informed decisions, having a proxy system has the unknowledgeable members with the power of the vote. A Club that is too complacent to send a member to Kinvention should not be afforded the luxury of having a vote. The active members and Clubs that take part in our meetings and the discussion are the ones that I would like to see making the decisions in our Association. Members and Clubs that stay home and don’t have the information should not be making choices for us.

Who do you give your proxy to? Why aren’t you attending? Are they really voting in your best interest?

Lazy Blogmaster

I am so sorry fellow Kin. I have been so lazy in updating this blog. I really wanted this to be a communication tool, but unfortunately I did not follow though.

Even at this time I am writing this during my Kinsmen meeting. And yes, I am being fined.

I will be blogging about the proxy system we have. This WILL be out very soon.

Sorry all