Upcoming Election

[mpallamary]

It's time to go, let's vote for Joe.

http://oc-surveyors.org/joepadilla/

[Peter Ehlert]

Anyone have a link to the ballot?

[mpallamary]

Peter, it was supposed to be emailed to you. I heard the Central Office was having some problems with some old emails. You might contact them to make sure they have your correct email.. I sent you an email within the past few days. Did you get my email? Maybe there is a problem there. Can you verify or send me your email address? Thanks!

[Peter Ehlert]

Yes, my email is correct, central office has all of my data. Yes Mike, I did get your email.
No big deal.
Correct email is in my profile here too... pls5116@sdi-baja.com

[mpallamary]

Thanks. All is well.

[Administrator]

We've had a tip that the surveymonkey system may be blocked or filtered by some email servers. If you have not received your electronic ballot, please check your spam folder. If you still can't find it, please contact Central Office at info"at"californiasurveyors"dot"com, or call us at 916-239-4083, and we'll figure out an alternate way to get you a ballot.

Thanks - we appreciate your membership and participation!

Administrator of Nebulous Personage

AKA

Jeff Burgess
Executive Director
California Land Surveyors Association
2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95833
916-239-4083

[Peter Ehlert]

"Administrator of Nebulous Personage" I love it! Thanks Jeff

[Administrator]

"Administrator of Nebulous Personage" I love it! Thanks Jeff

You bet - thanks for the suggestion!

[mpallamary]

Love it! Nebulous personage! Darn if you haven't copyrighted it, can I?

[Administrator]

Consolidating election posts, and seemingly related tidbits, in the election thread...

Admin

[marois]

I did receive the email with the link to the ballot a week ago Monday. It did end up in Outlook's Junk Email folder.

Vote for Ron!

“We all have our time machines, don't we. Those that take us back are memories...And those that carry us forward, are dreams." ― H.G. Wells

[mpallamary]

If you want to have transparency in the association; if you want to know where your money is going and what your dues are paying for; if you want the association to have financial integrity; and if you want the association to prosper, vote for Joe Padilla.

It's time for a change. We need new blood with new ideas.

[mpallamary]

Every now and then, if an association is lucky, a member rises and gets involved in the workings of his or her organization and they effectuate much-needed change. These individuals are rare and always welcomed. They work quietly and efficiently, often late at night, or early in the morning when others are sleeping. When they fulfill a goal, they share in its success; they do not hoard good blessings. They are natural borne leaders.

To people like this, there is not an "us" versus "them." There is only an "us" and that is the members. These folks rise naturally above the fray of petty arguments and senseless distractions, things that tend to both discourage and weaken an organization. Fortunately these people have no time for things like that.

Folks like this are inspirational and impressive to behold. They lead by example and not argument and, as history has taught us, they always surface when they are most needed. It is clear our association is in need of an individual like this now - at this time - and, if we are to succeed, we must join arms in rebuilding our association.

I have been an active member of CLSA for nearly 40 years and I am excited about the direction the association is headed. A clear path has been lit and it is a bright one. In order for us to take this path, we need someone who is willing to lead us on a road of solid footing and solid foundation. Thankfully, such a person is amongst us and his name is Joe Padilla.

Joe has already played a vital role in bringing a number of important issues forward. We need to give him a hand in his efforts and we must let him know we have been listening and watching. We have work to do and it starts as soon as we elect Joe Padilla as President Elect. He is one of the most honest and trustworthy individuals I know and he has my undying support. Please join me in electing an able leader, Mr. Joe Padilla.

"This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and
that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty, not of
mere force." --Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1796.


http://oc-surveyors.org/joepadilla-for-presidentelect/

[RAM]

This has been a lot to digest. But the pressing question that comes to my mind is Are there any other voices and/or concerns across the rest of the state? i.e. outside of Orange and San Diego Countries. I think it is great that Orange County has built up the membership but then with one of the larger population bases, it should. But as a % of available members, how does it rank compared to the rest? I would expect the populated areas would have a larger membership. But on the big picture, the rest of the state is lacking. The discord that is occurring is affecting the members. Some chapters do not meet and others are losing members and struggling. At times the Assoc. seems driven to take a direction of those that are most vocal and the real issues that affect a large portion of surveyors are not addressed. The Assoc. as a whole, gives the message of cratering to the Urban membership. Many of us renewed one more time, to give it a chance and to see what happens. The thought of renewing again is still on the table.
Curious the final stats of attendance at this years conference, compared to previous. If it was published, I must of missed it.

Just some random thoughts.

[mpallamary]

RAM, these are excellent points. Sadly, over the last few years, there has been considerable discord over the finances and management of the association. Fortunately, we have an excellent management company working for us and we have an opportunity to rebuild and restructure. It has been painful but we are getting there. If not for the folks who spoke up, we could be bankrupt and under control of the IRS.

Instead of arguing between factions, we must address important issues like the ones you raise; they are important.

I would urge you to hang in there and stay involved. I have been an active member for nearly 40 years and I can assure you the association has potential. In order for us to get there, we must join hands and restore the health of the association. In order to do that, we must vote for a change of leadership and we must support new leadership in restoring our financial integrity.

You have an opportunity to make some valuable contributions to the profession and the way to do that is to vote for a new person and a new direction.

Your voice can be heard and should be heard. Many of us are listening. We can do this together with a common goal. Rebuild The California Land Surveyors Association.

[mpallamary]

One last thing. I travel all over the country lecturing and writing. People always ask me about California surveyors. We should be leading the nation and many look to us to do that. They ask me what is going on. How am I to reply.

Remember that some of the giants come from California: Curt Brown, Roy Minnick, Bud Uzes, Paul Cuomo to name a few.

I believe California has more potential giants out there and the association should nurture them. Instead, these people become discouraged just like you.

We must restore California's role as the birthplace of more survey giants. In order for us to do this, we must start rebuilding. A vote for Joe Padilla will be an important step to get us there.

[dmi]

The interests of each individual chapter ARE the interests of the association as a whole. I understand that the bylaws as recently amended place the state level interests over that of an individual chapters. This recent change in the bylaws is a mistake. There is no need for CLSA if it refuses to accept and champion the local chapter membership's desire to forge ahead and improve our collective professional lot.

[Mr. Smith]

Some rantings,
It looks like we need the California Big City Surveyors Association: CBCSA
AS WELL AS, California Rural Town Surveyors Association: CRTSA
Again I am no political expert but seems to be a split with large City members and small City members.
We need to get back to basics; CLSA is not here to support just the big cities or the small cities, or union or County Surveyors or BEPELSG or any sub group. CLSA is for the individual surveyor. In short the ideas of a surveyor in a small chapter are as valid as ideas from a large chapter.

WHY is there an election? I thought CLSA promotes from within through a progression
of service????

I vote Ron Nelms

[pls7809]

In the Bylaws there is also a way to nominate directly from the membership, besides the nomination from the Board of Directors. That is what happened with Joe. I like the idea of more than one choice and directly electing someone by the membership, rather than just accepting the votes of 50 ish people to speak for 1400-1500.

[William Magee]

The interests of each individual chapter ARE the interests of the association as a whole. I understand that the bylaws as recently amended place the state level interests over that of an individual chapters. This recent change in the bylaws is a mistake. There is no need for CLSA if it refuses to accept and champion the local chapter membership's desire to forge ahead and improve our collective professional lot.

Hi Dane,
This has been a topic of great debate and is misunderstood by some. Please note that CLSA is a non-profit corporation. As such, it is in part bound by California State law, i.e. see Corporations Code. Note that the changes to the bylaws were made to conform to the law. The changes to a bylaw were not a change of the focus of the directors but rather recognition of what the law dictates.
Directors of CLSA are elected to serve those roles of director as required, in part, by state law.

In particular, please review Section 7231(a) of the Corporations Code which sets forth the Standards of Conduct for directors of nonprofit mutual benefit corporations.
The pertinent language is:
"A director shall perform the duties of a director, .....to be in the best interests of the corporation..."

In the best interests of the corporation is plain and simple language. It means for the association as a whole, i.e. the corporation. It means a director is to avoid basing his/her decisions on the direction from any singular interests or the interests of those who voted to place that director on the board. He/she's fiduciary duty is to the corporation, i.e. the association. It is actually the law.

This is a key element of this upcoming election. Ron Nelms understands his duty is to the association and as you can see from his candidate's statement, he has volunteered incredible time and effort to the association as a whole. His challenger on the other hand has continually shown and in fact stated, that his priority is to represent the OC Chapter's interests first and foremost. Ahead of that of the association. Mr. Padilla's misaligned commitment is in fact a violation of state law and is certainly damaging to the interests of the corporation as a whole.

[William Magee]

In the Bylaws there is also a way to nominate directly from the membership, besides the nomination from the Board of Directors. That is what happened with Joe. I like the idea of more than one choice and directly electing someone by the membership, rather than just accepting the votes of 50 ish people to speak for 1400-1500.

It should be noted that the ability to nominate "directly from the membership" requires a petition from members containing ONLY 10 names. Hardly the voice of 1400-1500 members.
It also should be noted that the nomination from the Board of Directors is a nomination that has behind it the understanding and experience of 50 ish or so persons who have repeated and numerous dealings with those persons who they nominated. The 50 ish or so persons who know full well and better than most exactly how Ron Nelms has dedicated himself to CLSA. They also have had repeated and numerous dealings with Joe Padilla and in fact have rejected him in the past from serving on the executive committee for several very good reasons.

Vote for someone who represents CLSA as a whole. Vote Ron Nelms.

Reject the OC syndicate. Vote Ron Nelms.

[pls7809]

The vote itself, though, is a vote by the membership. Having that opportunity is unique and I think refreshing. You put words in my mouth. I never said the nomination is from 1400 people. But 1400 people get to make the decision, rather than 50. Go Joe!

Why not allow every corporate member have their own say in this?

(Edit: Changed "...have a say..." to "...have their own say...")

[William Magee]

I only want to again emphasize that your statement in regards of the nomination being "directly from the membership" in reality only requires 10 signatures.
That is a completely different discussion from that of a general election vote. Every corporate member should have a say a contested election.
While I believe there is great value in persons going through the chairs in learning the association's governance. I am not opposed to seats being contested by any means. However Ryan you and I both know what is going on here. This isn't a contest because the BOD's nominated candidate needs to be opposed. Instead this is a contested election solely because the OC chapter wants a majority control of the executive committee and also desires its candidate to be placed directly into the uncontested position of president elect ascension to president. Don't get me wrong. The OC chapter is doing a number of great things. I admire the energy expended. Unfortunately there have been far too many instances of those energies expended in negative fashions. A great many persons have been personally attacked. Several important relationships have been damaged. The method and manner in which these have occurred have unfortunately been tolerated and defended. Some have touted the OC takeover as a change for the better, a righting of wrongs they say. This is smoke and mirrors. Where changes were and are needed to take place should be through a thorough debate process and majority vote. All too often the tactics by OC leadership have been by end runs around the BOD, and by use of harassment and intimidation. Often these have lead to a scorched earth result with that result being touted in misleading fashion as victory instead of recognizing the deep damage and lasting scars it really achieved. I cannot tolerate it and I certainly cannot get behind a candidate who does.
vote Ron Nelms.

[mpallamary]

“Fear of ridicule begets the worst cowardice.”

― André Gide

[mpallamary]

Ron Nelms is being supported by the band of past presidents who failed to do their jobs when they were in office. They made no effort to assure that the taxes were properly filed and that our financial records were in order, this despite a steady stream of questions and inquiries.

As President Roger Hanlin noted in a recent email to me:

****************************************************
Hi Michael,

I can’t speak for everyone else but will make sure the Executive Committee gets this message.
You were right on the past taxes having errors and I will be the first to apologize to you for all you endured by simply calling attention to the matter.
I hope you and your family have a great 4th of July weekend.
Roger
Roger K. Hanlin, PLS
************************************************************
He also advised the Board of Directors:

************************************************************
Wednesday afternoon, June 15, the Executive Committee and several Directors held a conference call with Debbie Ask, CPA, and Audit Director of John Waddell & Company (JW & Co), hired to prepare our Association Tax Returns for 2015 and review the Returns and Amended Returns for 2014, 2013, and 2012.

We were informed that the previous returns and amended returns all had errors on almost every page. The calculation errors were mainly found on the form 990T which has to do with unrelated business income or sources of income other than dues or from direct, related activities of the Association (income from advertising in the California Surveyor is the primary example of this income). She also informed us that she does not believe that the discrepancies reported on the form 990T would affect the tax liability of the Association and that the errors were likely issues of competence rather than fraud. This distinction is apparently the "bright line test" the IRS uses for to determine the extent of further review.

**************************************************************************

These are the people who are supporting Ron Nelms and these are the people who assured everyone that everything was okay.

Howard Brunner, PLS, President 1990
James Crabtree, PLS, President 1983
James Dorsey, PLS, President 1984
James Herrick, PLS President 2008
Kurtis Hoehn, PLS, President 1994
William Hofferber, PLS, President 2011
Frank Lehmann, PLS, President 2012
Armand Marois, PLS, President 2005
Raymond Mathe, PLS, President 2003
Michael McGee, PLS, President 1985
Robert Reese, PLS, President 2006
Herbert Schumacher, PLS, President 1969
Aaron Smith, PLS, President 2010
Rolland VanDeValk, PLS, President 2014
Steven Wilson, PLS, President 1998

These are the people that fear Joe Padilla being elected.

Let democracy speak!