When I woke up this morning, I could feel a disturbance in the Force. My chi was simply all wrong. I felt unease most of the day and wondered what big challenge would present itself today. I knew one would, though.
That challenge came in the form of tonight’s RCAC meeting, where I expected the board to read and accept updated bylaws that have been worked on for weeks by the board’s bylaws committee. Instead there was instant suspicion on the part of some members, and I and the other bylaws committee members were put in the defensive early on. When the committee finally was able to explain the proposed changes and pointed out that these were minor edits of the same documents we’ve been staring at for the better part of a year, resistance softened quite a bit. We had a good conversation about it and lots of feedback was collected but ultimately no vote was taken.
I conceded that this was a potential outcome and agreed to hold it over until the next meeting. However, I called on everyone to acknowledge their chance to review the changes and come to the next meeting ready to vote, one way or another. After revisiting this issue last November and then again in February, we’ve had plenty of time to get this done. As such, our July meeting will be entirely devoted to voting on the bylaws if need be.
Another point that got my dander up tonight was made by another member, who alluded to the missing CAC chairs and wondered aloud if they would be able to weigh in on the plans. The problem is that these chairs never come to the meetings. They never participate, period. And do you know what? If you don’t show up at the meetings and let your voice be heard, you don’t have a voice as far as I’m concerned.
Not happy that the board changed your bylaws without you knowing about it? Too bad! You should’ve made time to be there!
I called these folks out at tonight’s meeting for wanting to have a say but being too lazy to participate. I was mad that they could even suggest a say when I haven’t seen some chairs in over a year! After tonight’s meeting, I got a few private kudos from folks who feel the same way. It’s just that I had the nerve to say it.
Bylaws are a heavy topic, sure, but it’s not like some secret fracking bill being pushed through in the dark of night. If folks want to weigh in, there have been plenty of opportunities to pitch in and help with the RCAC tasks. It annoys me when some folks whine about how things are done when they refuse to help out themselves.
It was a challenging night to be sure and the feedback gathered will help make the bylaws better. While it may be uncomfortable, the RCAC will continue to have the tough conversations we need to have. I didn’t sign on as RCAC chair simply to introduce presenters every week!