The Torch Magazine

From the President

     During the board's winter meeting in February, we discussed many issues, including our Facebook marketing campaign, the magazine, and the bylaw updates. Since the bylaw updates are quite detailed, let me use this space to discuss why we needed to clarify our bylaws and how the proposed changes will be handled.

     The board, working as a committee of the whole, went over our documents line by line. The goal was to merge the election manual and the bylaws into one document. At that meeting consensus was reached, but voting to approve had to be deferred for two weeks, as required by the bylaws. A board meeting was called, but several additional clarifications needed to be made. The next meeting to approve the whole document is scheduled for April 22, 2019. Once the approval passes the board, the bylaws document will be posted on the Web and/or sent by email to the membership. At the annual convention this June, the delegates will vote on the final package.

     Among the changes is a merging of the bylaws and the election manual. We chose to take this measure because the election manual and the bylaws were written at different times and do not work well together. At times neither document reflects past practice. For one example, the nominations committee exists to make sure that there are no offices for which there are no candidates. Yet we have found that, technically, the nominations committee is limited to the role of filling the office of Vice-President. The proposed new document will make it clear that the nominations committee must try to find at least one candidate for any office, including Regional Director.

     The proposed bylaw document will also make clear how elections are to be held if there is only one applicant, or if we have a contested election. For each office, this information is now found in one place for quick reference. For example, if two clubs want to nominate someone for Vice-President, the nominated person’s name will be posted as soon as the application process is complete for everyone to discuss. Then, if a second person wants to run for the office, any two other clubs can nominate that person before the cutoff date. The nominations committee will not then be involved since one or more candidate is already declared. If no candidate declares, then the nominations committee will meet and solicit an applicant. Once an election begins, the board is not allowed the change the process.

     I believe the bylaw revisions will make the operation of IATC clear to all.

    This year there is only one applicant for the office of Vice-President: Dorothy Driskell from the Columbus club. As a note: one of Dorothy Driskell’s references said she did not walk on water, but two feet above the water!

     When you read this article, please remember that you might volunteer to have your club send you to the convention as a delegate so you can vote. And, yes, there will be discussion at the business meetings, so everyone can have a say. Convention registration details are at www.torch19.org. We have lined up exciting bands for entertainment and have some interesting tours also. Have your club appoint you as a delegate, and I look forward to seeing you in Durham/Chapel Hill June 20-23, 2019.

Torch Forever,
George H. Conklin, President.