Chris Riemer Email

A few things I'd like to clarify in this context, prior to the meeting:

The Roots of this Amendment

A few days before the last meeting, Eddie called me and we talked about the Trustee thing. We talked about the recent confusion, the contradictory and incomplete records, the philosophical difference between election and appointment and the fact that given Andy Koenig's research, we were technically in violation of the law (even if we had an escape clause).

We both felt the proposed change was pretty reasonable. I volunteered to do the research on how we'd go about making an amendment, and also to present the idea at the meeting. That's about it.

The Inviolability of The Constitution

The Folk Project's Constitution isn't something that was hammered out by a team of founding fathers and mothers. We adopted it in '76 by replicating the constitution of the now defunct FMS. A bunch of 20-something folkies decided to start a non-profit organization. So we copied and tweaked the core documents of another group. The FMS folks probably got it from the library. The idea that this document represents some fundamental truth is nuts.

Plus, we've amended it more than once. In the late 80s (I think), Mike noticed that our practices had drifted from what the Constitution said we were supposed to be doing. We convened a committee (I was one of the participants), came up with a number of suggested tweaks (changing our fiscal year was one) and prepared a report. It was presented at a board meeting, and we went through the same process we're engaged in now. We voted in favor, the changes were approved, and the Constitution was duly amended. No drama that time.

I don't believe that because something was a good idea 35 years ago means it will be a good idea forever. Things change.

The Negative Impacts

The three-year staggered cycle of Trustee terms is a good thing, but the truth is it exists only in theory. Some Trustees serve for decades. Some resign after a month. All nine could resign at any given moment, and we'd have to deal with it.

Plus, it seems to me that if we had a resignation early in a term, this amendment would actually make things easier. We could appoint a temporary replacement who would only need to serve until year end. It might even be someone who was already on the board, thereby maintaining a quorum. And then just once a year, we could deal with the heavy lifting: the search-and-recruitment job of the Nominating Committee.

I appreciate that the handful of general members who come to the annual meeting generally rubber-stamp the Board's recommendations. So I understand that the practical difference between election and appointment is vanishingly small. (It wasn't always that way, though. I myself once stood against another candidate in a disputed election for President. I won.)

I admit I don't understand why some people fear this change. Maybe that's because I have a limited imagination. As I wrote to Scooter, I believe it's an insignificant adjustment that is correct in principle, but will have little impact in practice. I guess I think that if there's minimal impact on practice, I'd like to see us keep the principles in line.

For and Against

It's true that I feel this change is a reasonable adjustment to one of our foundation documents. I support it. But it's not My Amendment.

I have not lobbied for it in any way, other than by presenting the idea at the meeting and writing this email to the board. I'm certainly surprised at the heat it's generated, and I'll be OK with the outcome, whatever it is. I expect the amendment to be defeated, given the closeness of the vote at the last meeting. That's fine with me. That's the democratic process.

And I can also tell you that as of this moment, the general members who've voiced their opinions are 100% opposed to the change. One person voted no. Maybe that means we don't even need to talk about it again!

For those who might like to reply virtually, please accept my apologies in advance. I'm not interested in debating via email, so I hope you understand if I don't respond.

Well, I feel better!

Yours in folk,

Chris