Alumni Council needs more miserable SOB’s

[Mary QBA]

A week ago I received a private message on a Penn State online board asking “Why are you miserable SOB’s so intent on destroying everything Penn State has done for the Alumni Association?”

The you, I’m assuming, refers to Penn State Alumni Association for All, a group I work with to drive reform on the Penn State Alumni Association. PSAAforAll.org has had tremendous success so far this year; we beat the Alumni Association in court when they tried to keep two of our candidates off the Alumni Council ballot; nine out of the ten candidates on our slate won election with 50% of the vote, and we made the Alumni Association admit they are a wholly owned department of the Penn State Office of Development.

Even our failures have been successful. At the fall Alumni Council meeting our representatives drove a heated discussion about restoring Roberts Rules of Order to the PSAA bylaws (failed) and making the CEO report to Alumni Council, not the Penn State Director of Development (failed). They forced the Old Guard members to go on record as voting against reinstating the Ballot by Petition option (failed – a secret group will now determine who gets on the ballot). They also asked when Joe Paterno, who single-handedly raised hundreds of millions of dollars for Penn State, will be honored by the Alumni Association (silence).

But back to the original question. Upon reflection, my answer is that I love Penn State. I am the product of every Penn Stater that has come before me. Penn State and has made me, and many people that I love, a success. I want the Alumni Association to devote itself to restoring Penn State’s honor, not “nimbly reacting to the changing demographics of our alumni”*. I want it to follow goals the members set, not fundraising goals that keep the Old Guard entrenched and continuing to make bad mistakes. I want to vote for the Alumni Association president and not have a carpetbagger with bigger fish to fry dropped in our laps.

And after all that Joe Paterno and his family have done for Penn State, I want my Alumni Association to honor The Grand Experiment.

If that makes me a miserable SOB, I’m okay with it.

Are you a miserable SOB, too? Our group needs your help on Alumni Council. We need the loudest voices, the strongest handshakes, and the most passionate alumni who want to put the Alumni Association back in the hands of the alumni. It’s two weekends a year, and if nothing else you get great gifts and a lavish dinner.

Please consider filling out this form and mailing it before January 8th. Why? For the glory. http://alumni.psu.edu/council/elections/nomform


*PSAA CEO Paul Clifford interview, The Penn Stater Jan/Feb 2016, p50

 

[cjrugger]

We're overstocked actually, you're in luck

 

[Class of 67]

I have not renewed pending movement on at least some of the issues you raise. Priority for me is breaking the silence on Joe. That's inexcusable for an organization that is supposed to represent the wishes of most of its members.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I have not renewed pending movement on at least some of the issues you raise. Priority for me is breaking the silence on Joe. That's inexcusable for an organization that is supposed to represent the wishes of most of its members.

This, and related situations, are really difficult to resolve for a number of devoted alums and fans. It's usually better to achieve change from within. However, when folks get frustrated that their voice is not being heard (or is being deliberately ignored), then some feel the only they can get attention/achieve any result is to end their membership/withhold funds. That these actions may also negatively impact PSU, or PSU students and athletes, makes it that much more difficult for people resolve.

I think many of us deeply resent that the BOT and the PSU Admin put PSU alums and fans in this situation.

 

[fairgambit]

.....................................
Are you a miserable SOB, too?
Please consider filling out this form and mailing it before January 8th. Why? For the glory. http://alumni.psu.edu/council/elections/nomform
*PSAA CEO Paul Clifford interview, The Penn Stater Jan/Feb 2016, p50

I am more insufferable than miserable and, while I can be an SOB, I would more likely use the word in an angry confrontation with some of the Old Guard you have to deal with. Unfortunately, the use of that word would be in one of my calmer moments. I really don't know how you deal with some of the Old Guard and maintain decorum. I cannot tolerate fools and you have to deal with so many. There are a lot of good people on this board and I hope a few will consider making a run. In the meantime, keep up your own good work. You are a breath of fresh air.

 

[tk819]

We need reinforcements. Please get involved, either by running or speaking out in support of likeminded candidates.

 

[fairgambit]

We need reinforcements. Please get involved, either by running or speaking out in support of likeminded candidates.

Fortunately, the speaking out part is something I, and many who post here, are very good at and we will certainly raise our voices in support of those candidates whose positions mirror our own.

 

[jhsmith409]

As Toni and Mary said, we need more people to run for Alumni a Council this year.