The GOOD GUYS WIN This Time

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Election Day! Flat Stanley spent hours planning the agenda, double-checking the organization's by-laws, referencing Robert's Rules of Order, structuring the Standing Rules of Order, helping prepare the chairs of the credentialing and nominating committee chairs for their roles at the business meeting, and building the business meeting packets.

Opened the meeting by explaining who had a vote and who didn't (only about half the attendees had a vote); why those who had a vote had it; making it clear that only voting members could speak; and informing the assembly that members of the credentialing committee would physically check to ensure that speakers had the special sticker and ballot that indicated their status as a voting member. Oh, yah, it was tight, and people of average and even below-average functionality knew right then and there that this year's chair could not, would not be pushed around.

But then, there are always the PITA's, the Clueless, the Unethical, the Just-Plain-Stupid.

We've had to deal a couple of them this year. One was elected to a key role last May because last year's leadership team was naive in the matter of personal integrity and politics, FS included. Another — well, you get some clunkers now and then. Can't fire them because they're not hired, and the organization can cover incompetence at certain levels.

At certain levels of the organization there is an expectation that leaders will progress through the senior roles as a way of preparing for the Top Dog position. You gotta earn it, dammit, because FS has put too many years into this to put up with her successors being rubber-stamped into leadership. Building upon past successes and laying the foundation for an even better year next year, FS has spearheaded the development of a culture of professionalism and value and ain't about to let some title-seeking, self-serving clueless moron gut it.

The Nominating Committee was impeccable for both the character of its members and for their willingness to make sound decisions regardless of past practices. The committee did not place Title Seeker #1 on the ballot as would normally be expected. He decided to run from the floor. That's allowed. Title seeker #2 decided to run from the floor rather than go through the nominating committee process. Why avoid the validation that comes with being placed on the ballot? Simple: Clueless. Never read her manual. Didn't know the process. Not like it's been a secret. It's posted everywhere.

Anyway. Both were disqualified from running from the floor because of flagrant violations of the organization's campaign ethics. Title seeker #1 even signed a form promising to abide by them when he went before the nominating committee. Title seeker #2 was told not once, not twice, but several times during the day to cease and desist her illegal campaign activities. She did not.

A visiting dignitary explained before the entire assembly what their violations were. Explained that in the event that either candidate were elected, each would be subject to removal not just from office, but from the organization by the International body. Suggested that this would be an excellent opportunity for these two to gracefully withdraw their bids for election.

Each decided to run anyway. What the???


Both lost the election. The candidates of choice—the ones groomed by FS and other key leaders over the past year won by a large majority. Bonus: The process cemented the credibility of the process as well as FS's leadership over the past 10 months.

There were big corporate sponsors in the room, and guess what: They were so impressed with the organization that they are looking at the possibility of providing FREE meeting space for future events such as this, which require food and meeting space for 100 to 125 people.

Yup. It may have taken an entire year, but it's clear that integrity and respect for the organization's mission won the day. Here's to you special folks: A message you must infer — but won't — since you don't have the inherent skill set: