EASA Stuff

Not too long ago, the Southeastern Chapter voted by a wide margin to amend its bylaws to allow the chapter members to propose bylaws amendments by a petition process. Prior to this amendment, no motion to amend the bylaws could be considered until it was "approved" by the Board of Directors. I saw this as a serious deficiency, since it allowed absolutely no means by which the members could propose an amendment, no matter how many of them desired to do so. After that process was completed, I turned my attention to the bylaws of the International Organization, upon which our Chapter bylaws were patterned. On June 21, 2006 I presented a "suggested" amendment to EASA International President Linda Raynes that would create this petition process for the International organization as well. I was disappointed, but not surprised when the International Board refused to allow the membership to consider amending the International bylaws in this fashion. The following documents describe that amendment and reproduce various communications between myself and members of the International Board.
Full Text of suggested amendment	This is taken word-for-word from the letter to Linda Raynes below.
Letter to Linda Raynes June 21, 2006	In this letter I presented my suggested amendment (that would allow amendment by petition) to Ms. Raynes and asked her to forward it to the Board for consideration. As noted in the letter, I fully realized that the amendment could not be considered by the membership without the Board's "approval."
Letter to the Board February 5, 2007	When I learned that the Board would soon be considering my suggested amendment, I tried to persuade them to "allow" the members to consider this amendment.
Letter to me from Director Ken Gralow February 6, 2007	Mr. Ken Gralow was kind enough to write to me and express his objections to my suggested amendment.
Letter to Ken Gralow February 7, 2007	My response to Ken. I noted that he had proven my assertion perfectly. The reluctance of the Board to allow the membership to consider this amendment (or, more directly, to have the power to propose amendments without Board "approval") arises from the fact that they do not trust the members to make good decisions.
Letter to Art Anderson after rejection of suggested amendment February 20, 2007	I don't have Mr. Anderson's letter here. It's in my computer somewhere at work. If I find it, I'll post it, but it was kind, gracious and very polite, and simply said that the Board felt that amending the bylaws in the manner I suggested would not be "in the best interests" of the organization, and that the Board felt everything was good as it was.
The Prerogatives of Ownership	Who "owns" EASA? This is an issue that (I believe) must be addressed, and soon. The members of this organization have the right to dissolve it and divide its assets among themselves. Do they have the right to determine its future? Shouldn't they have the right to propose an amendment to their bylaws without Board "approval"? This essay has a cartoon, too! The empty chair on the right belongs to Brenda Cole, who told me she voted for the amendment.