Division Representative

[Guest]

If the information on APBA web site is correct, timely and if I understood it correctly:

• There are 16 APBA Regions and 19 APBA Clubs listed that are reported to be involved with PRO Actives.
• Out of the 16 APBA Regions, 6 APBA Regions are reported without Clubs involved with PRO Actives leaving 10 APBA Regions.
• Out of the 10 remaining APBA Regions, 5 APBA Regions (7 APBA Clubs) are without PRO Representatives.
• In the remaining 5 APBA Regions, 3 APBA Regions (9 APBA Clubs) have 2 PRO Representatives each, the other 2 APBA Regions (3 APBA Clubs) have one each.
• Two Regions are reported WITHOUT APBA Clubs involved with PRO Actives both of these APBA Regions each have a PRO Representative (i.e. PRO Commissioner).
• 50% of the APBA Regions with listed APBA Clubs as involved with PRO Actives, and 37% of the Clubs and their APBA members have no ability to vote for a PRO Commissioner and thus have no PRO Representative.

APBA is touted as a member driven and controlled organization maybe it time to correct this problem. One way might be to change the Region break-up to larger and fewer Regions, or to rethink the way PRO Commissioner are elected so that every APBA PRO member has a chance to vote for a PRO Commissioner.

[Dr. Thunder]

<snip> ... APBA is touted as a member driven and controlled organization maybe it time to correct this problem. One way might be to change the Region break-up to larger and fewer Regions, or to rethink the way PRO Commissioner are elected so that every APBA PRO member has a chance to vote for a PRO Commissioner.

The Bylaws seem to suggest that you have to live in a Region ( currently 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 ... Regions that elect Pro Commissioners) in order to vote to elect a Commissioner from one of those Regions. However, there are provisions that allow the Chair to appoint "at-large" Commissioners within each category. Seems to me that this would allow an active member, residing in a Region that currently does not meet the criteria for electing Commissioners, to petition the Chairman to appoint an otherwise qualified member to the Commission from a non-voting region.

[Guest]

appointment is not as same as a vote

The Bylaws seem to suggest that you have to live in a Region ( currently 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 ... Regions that elect Pro Commissioners) in order to vote to elect a Commissioner from one of those Regions. However, there are provisions that allow the Chair to appoint "at-large" Commissioners within each category. Seems to me that this would allow an active member, residing in a Region that currently does not meet the criteria for electing Commissioners, to petition the Chairman to appoint an otherwise qualified member to the Commission from a non-voting region.

In my view an appointment is not as same as a vote.

[Dr. Thunder]

In my view an appointment is not as same as a vote.

Not trying to debate you on the issue ... just engaging in friendly dialogue trying to understand.

First, agree that an appointment is not the same as a vote ... it would seem to me that an "appointed at-large" Commissioner coming from a Region that does not elect a Commissioner(s) might actually be better than an elected Commissioner in that they can bring an agenda to the table that speaks to the broader Pro issues ... unen***bered by Regional representational mandates!

Secondly, why would you want to vote for a Commissioner candidate from another Region that does not represent you or your local (Region) interests?

If you live in a Region that does not schedule any local Pro events and doesn't have an APBA club then what would be the representational interests you would be seeking. Wouldn't it be easier and more practical to work to get your own Regional representative on the Pro Commission?

Just thinking out loud here ...

[David Weaver]

Appointment

Well, if you do not share the opinions of the category commissioner, it is unlikely that you would be appointed.

[Kristi Ellison]

What I find unfortunate is a lot of people gripe and complain about the way things are and about this and that. When it comes to the bottom line not a whole lot of people are actually willing to serve in these positions. Most will cite "not enough time" or "don't have the money to go to the meetings" or my favorite "it won't change anything". It is a lot easier to complain then actually come up with a workable solution and then follow through.

I have learned a whole lot the past couple years about how this works. The PRO chair is elected by the Commission which I believe is not the way it used to be. Whether or not you like the current chair....there is NO ONE out there who is interested in taking it over....NO ONE. If there is, where are they? The PRO chair does not have to be a Commissioner. Until someone else wishes to try their hand we will do what we have been doing and if anyone is unhappy they just need to speak up and we will put their item on the agenda.

Bill I thought your breakdown was very interesting but if anyone in those outlying regions needs something they can contact any PRO Commissioner. I think we have a well represented Commission who actually listens to the drivers and their concerns.

[Guest]

voting opportunity

Not trying to debate you on the issue ... just engaging in friendly dialogue trying to understand.

First, agree that an appointment is not the same as a vote ... it would seem to me that an "appointed at-large" Commissioner coming from a Region that does not elect a Commissioner(s) might actually be better than an elected Commissioner in that they can bring an agenda to the table that speaks to the broader Pro issues ... unen***bered by Regional representational mandates!

Secondly, why would you want to vote for a Commissioner candidate from another Region that does not represent you or your local (Region) interests?

If you live in a Region that does not schedule any local Pro events and doesn't have an APBA club then what would be the representational interests you would be seeking. Wouldn't it be easier and more practical to work to get your own Regional representative on the Pro Commission?

Just thinking out loud here ...

I suggested "One way might be to change the Region break-up to larger and fewer Regions, or to rethink the way PRO Commissioner are elected so that every APBA PRO member has a chance to vote for a PRO Commissioner."

Some members are given a chance to vote for a representative(s) (whether they vote or not) other APBA members are not given that opportunity. That policy doesn't seem right to me. I and maybe others would like that voting opportunity.
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Kristi Ellison
"WhatI find unfortunate is a lot of people gripe and complain about the way things are and about this and that. When it comes to the bottom line not a whole lot of people are actually willing to serve in these positions. Most will cite "not enough time" or "don't have the money to go to the meetings" or my favorite "it won't change anything". It is a lot easier to complain then actually come up with a workable solution and then follow through."
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Kristi, I just presented one way that all member could vote, another way the members wthout a representative could vote for a representative-at-large. Until I moved to South Carolina I was a PRO Commission for two years from Region 7. At the time I was willing to continue to serve but was not appointed.

[Kristi Ellison]

Bill

What your saying makes sense. I will see if maybe I can come up with an idea or two and run them by the Commission at the National meeting. It might be easier then re doing the regional boundaries. Let me think on it for a while and I will let you know what I come up with.