FC: Here are five Alumni Council candidates who want to right the PSAA.

[Class of 67]

I'm not sure how much this has been promulgated here, but the linked website represents candidates and positions for making the PSAA more transparent and representative. The five candidates highlighted are: Bradley Mitchell, Elizabeth Morgan, David Paterno, James Smith, and Susan Wilson.

http://psaaforall.org/

 

[kgilbert78]

I applaud their efforts and I will vote for them. But it's not going to matter. The inmates have taken over the asylum. I never realized until reading the above article that Alumni Council was originally 30 elected members. That's all. That's all there were supposed to be--by the bylaws. But they kept adding unelected members to "represent" alumni societies and interest groups. Now those 30 are a distinct minority without the ability to effect change. Sad.

 

[tk819]

True, but at least the PSAA actions won't be under the radar any longer. They will be exposed, at least for all of us paying attention.

 

[kgilbert78]

True, but at least the PSAA actions won't be under the radar any longer. They will be exposed, at least for all of us paying attention.

They may not be. I'm waiting for them to have all Alumni Council members sign a confidentiality agreement. As it is the one member that posted here is not allowed to see minutes of other committee reports. Since no one is allowed to attend the meetings other than council members, they can be as secretive as they want to.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

True, but at least the PSAA actions won't be under the radar any longer. They will be exposed, at least for all of us paying attention.

hey tk819, aren't you running as well this year for Council?

 

[Evan Ceg]

The proliferation of members of the Alumni Council demonstrates what happens when you base membership on representation of constituencies, which, in a university as large and complex as Penn State, means that a whole lot of constituencies are going to demand/expect representation. The Administration is a good deal more interested in making everyone feel included than in having an effective policy voice for the member alumni.

 

[kgilbert78]

The proliferation of members of the Alumni Council demonstrates what happens when you base membership on representation of constituencies, which, in a university as large and complex as Penn State, means that a whole lot of constituencies are going to demand/expect representation. The Administration is a good deal more interested in making everyone feel included than in having an effective policy voice for the member alumni.

It also weakens the power of any individual Council member, allowing a select few to control it all, without the fear of being voted out of office.

 

[tk819]

hey tk819, aren't you running as well this year for Council?

Yes, Tom, I am on the ballot. I have been communicating with Deb and a couple others on the council about the bylaws debacle since well before the vote. The real governing body of the PSAA has always been the appointed executive committee. Even though the old bylaws, the PSAA website, and Roger himself describe the AC as the governing body, it is not. IRS forms clearly define the excom as the governing body, with no requirement to answer to the full council. Alums have been hoodwinked into thinking they have been electing council members who have a real say in how the PSAA functions. Now that the new bylaws have padded the council with another 20 appointees and removed the ability to get on the ballot via petition, the insiders will have total control. Most council members are oblivious to all of this - there is no other reasonable explanation for voting for it. With more on the council like Deb, we can shine a light on it and fight back.

 

[Mary QBA]

As a lifetime member of the PSAA, I am very guilty of being hoodwinked and sadly admit it. But no more - it's time to turn on the lights, ask questions, and put names and reputations to decisions.

I am sure that all the members of Alumni Council who voted for the new bylaws last Friday will be happy to be held accountable for their votes. Especially the ones running for re-election.

Jim, Brad, Elizabeth, Susan and Dave have joined together because they agree on some basic principles, namely that it's time to put the power back in the Alumni Council, just like Roger Williams signed the IRS 990 statement saying it was.

 

[kgilbert78]

As a lifetime member of the PSAA, I am very guilty of being hoodwinked and sadly admit it. But no more - it's time to turn on the lights, ask questions, and put names and reputations to decisions.

I am sure that all the members of Alumni Council who voted for the new bylaws last Friday will be happy to be held accountable for their votes. Especially the ones running for re-election.

Jim, Brad, Elizabeth, Susan and Dave have joined together because they agree on some basic principles, namely that it's time to put the power back in the Alumni Council, just like Roger Williams signed the IRS 990 statement saying it was.

The problem with that is most of Alumni Council is no longer elected. There is no consequence to these members for their votes.

 

[Mary QBA]

kgilbert78 you are absolutely correct. And it looks like it's getting worse.