ABS at-large vote

[CadyG]

I must confess that I am worse than apathetic; I'm disenchanted with ABS and am hovering on the verge of not renewing my membership next year. The organization seems stagnant to me, without much in the way of encouraging new leadership or involvement.

I do think the research is interesting, but a lot of it is too esoteric for an Average Bamboo Jane like me to really wrap my enthusiasm around. I'd like to see more on the pragmatic level of educating the Green Industry retail and wholesale markets, as well as the general public, about the value and uses of bamboo.

[boonut]

Couldn't agree with you more... I feel right at home with BambooWeb.info. Where has our ABS gone...

[mantis]

I voted via e-mail, but never got a confirmation, so I'm guessing that my vote wasn't counted.

[Roy]

I voted via e-mail, but never got a confirmation, so I'm guessing that my vote wasn't counted.

Being a member of Bambooweb.info might not equate with being a member of ABS.

[Roy]

I must confess that I am worse than apathetic; I'm disenchanted with ABS and am hovering on the verge of not renewing my membership next year. The organization seems stagnant to me, without much in the way of encouraging new leadership or involvement.

I do think the research is interesting, but a lot of it is too esoteric for an Average Bamboo Jane like me to really wrap my enthusiasm around. I'd like to see more on the pragmatic level of educating the Green Industry retail and wholesale markets, as well as the general public, about the value and uses of bamboo.

I usually don't get excited about ABS elections because most of the times the names on the ballot don't ring any bells in my head that I've ever had communications with and wouldn't expect any communications if these people were elected.

This election is different. The "Needmore Votes Kid" is already on board as a communications kind of guy. In fact, I went through the ABS membership list and emailed select people that I thought I might have some sway with and listed the reasons I was supporting the "Needmore Votes Kid" and asking them to consider voting for him.

If anybody wants to see my email supporting the "Needmore Votes Kid", just look in my "Profile" and email me direct and I will forward a copy to you.

[mantis]

Being a member of Bambooweb.info might not equate with being a member of ABS.

My dues are paid through 2008. Member # 5569

[Roy]

Being a member of Bambooweb.info might not equate with being a member of ABS.

My dues are paid through 2008. Member # 5569

I wonder if the member number has anything to do with the number of people who have ever been a member of ABS?

I would tell you my number, but then I would have to kill you!

I think paid membership runs near a thousand members. And I think it has been that way for a long time. If membership had increased in the same ratio as the popularity of bamboo over the last 20 years, then ABS would be at least 20 thousand strong.

[bambooweb]

I voted via e-mail, but never got a confirmation, so I'm guessing that my vote wasn't counted.

I guess that means you get another vote

I think the membership had a high number of 1400 before the KoiKeeper fiasco and the magazine being crap for over a year. After that it has declined to around 900. Now there are about 1100 members after getting the new administrator.

I see part of the problem with the ABS (and chapters) is burnout. A person will take on jobs and own them for years and when they start to get tired of doing the jobs there is no one willing to help out or if there is the person with the job does not want to give it up.

Another problem that has plagued the board for the last couple of years has been the number of proposals that have moved into a legal discussion about if the board approved anything can they be sued by someone. Most of those proposals end up dying before a decision is made.

Bill

Legal disclaimer,
This was just a rant from the voices in my head and is not the view of anyone.

[mantis]

I guess that means you get another vote

Ok, I'll give it another go.

[foxd]

I have seen the name "KoiKeeper" before! I have found strange and obscure hints on the web of much bad blood between "koikeeper" and others, including someone named Hermine.

Can I get the "dirty" details? I can take it.

[needmore]

My last communication with the 'keeper' was my threat to sue him if he continued in his attempt to sell the previous bambooweb photos and database - he was advertising it for sale for a spell after the final collapse. I can tell you some dirt one of these days Foxd.

Bill, I'm very curious about your remark regarding board decisions and lawsuits, and look forward to more insight. When I decided to consider running for the board I went over the bylaws to see what kind of shape they were in. I'm no attorney but I've been involved with multiple bylaw rewrites for non-profits, working with attorneys who specialize in that and I saw no serious problems with the ABS bylaws - I'll reread them. The only thing that struck me was some of the apparent 'power' of the President, seemed unusual to me. I had a long conversation with Phil Comer about your chapters bylaws Bill and those are in dire need of some serious rewriting! Maybe it is time to bite the bullet and purchase directors liability insurance, my current non-profit employer pays a pretty penny, around $5,000 per year in premiums but it allows the board to attract and retain qualified persons who would otherwise be wary. That would be a big hunk out of the annual budget I realize but perhaps that would give folks more confidence to take actions?

[Roy]

I have seen the name "KoiKeeper" before! I have found strange and obscure hints on the web of much bad blood between "koikeeper" and others, including someone named Hermine.

Can I get the "dirty" details? I can take it.

Sometimes I need a good chuckle, so I look back over my emails between Koikeeper and myself. I really could throw some flames doing my younger period. I think he really was a true mental case and I use that in the kindest and most medical sense.

[bambooweb]

Brad,
The ABS board got Directors and Officers Liability insurance in 2004. This year it cost $1700 which sounds like it is a good deal. I think the insurance has made the Board more aware of the liability of our actions.

Bill

[CadyG]

The non-profit boards I've served on have all had insurance coverage that protected them in the event of lawsuits. I would be wary of serving on any board that is not covered.

[foxd]

Thanks for the info Bill, it gave some context to the bits of information I had. BTW, several years ago koikeeper had been very actively flaming people on various usenet gardening groups under the name Cereoid-UR12. And a quick bit of detective work seems to indicate koikeeper may have been using the name Cereus-Validus as recently as 2 years ago.