Important Proposed Bylaws Changes
Democratic nations & organizations are RULED BY LAW. 80-20 is one of such orgs. Soon, 80-20's Board shall submit 4 Bylaws amendments to you for approval. A Bylaws amendment for an organization is equivalent to amending the Constitution of a nation. Hence, our proposed 4 amendments are of the utmost importance to all who care for 80-20.Prior to a vote, 80-20's members must be given a full month's written advance notice, as required by Article 10 of 80-20's Bylaws. This is so that members will have adequate time to consider the proposed changes and to organize "support for" or "objection to" the amendments. To view the current Bylaws visit: http://www.80-20initiative.net/about/bylaws.asp.
All 4 amendments deal with Article 3, entitled "Organization." After operating under the existing article 3 for several years, your Board feels that the proposed amendments will help make 80-20 a better organization. The 4 amendments are appended at the end of this email.
Only members may vote. As a member, you'll have the following rights & privileges:
i) vote on Bylaws amendments and all other elections,
ii) be a candidate to become a "Delegate" to 80-20's Endorsement Convention where 80-20 will endorse either Sen. McCain or his Democratic counterpart later this year, and
iii) be a candidate to become a Board Member or Officer.
To join, visit http://www.80-20initiative.net/. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted by
Kathleen To
President, 80-20 PAC
Proposed Amendments
1) Amend Article 3.2.3 by replacing its third sentence: "No director shall serve more than two complete consecutive terms." with the following sentences: "Directors can serve up to four (4) consecutive terms, so long as he or she has substantially contributed while serving as a board member, and that the re-elections of board members are contested."
2) Add a new sub-article 3.5:
3.5 Guiding Principle In Taking Actions
Whenever feasible, 80-20 shall try to create a win-win situation in its dealings with other individuals and organizations. In dealing with organizations working for the same goals, 80-20 shall be patient and tolerant. In dealing with others that are damaging or have damaged our effort to achieve equal opportunity and justice, if the entity repeatedly refuses to agree to a win-win solution, 80-20, being a political action committee, shall apply strong and strategic pressure to counter the other side's principal interests. If and when a satisfactory solution is reached, 80-20 shall retrospectively make the other side a winner, or appear to be a winner.
3) Add a new sub-article 3.6:
3.6 Prohibition
Until Dec. 31, 2016 or a membership exceeding 10,000, whichever comes first, 80-20 shall not take any position in US foreign policies and/or foreign matters, except when it may impact upon its goal to achieve equal opportunity and justice for Asian Americans. The decision to invoke the exception must be approved by 3/4 (75%) of the entire Board. However, related decisions and actions subsequent to the approval of the exemption shall be governed by the Robert's Rules of Order only.
4) Add a new sub-article 3.2.6:
3.2.6 Board Communication Protocol and Behavior Guidelines:
Members of the Board shall behave professionally at all times, so as to effectively promote and advance the goals and images of the organization, both within and without. This includes but is not limited to the following cases:
a. The Board shall keep the internal communications of the organization strictly among the Board members, unless it is explicitly approved otherwise by the Board. These include Board and Executive Committee e-mail messaging of important and sensitive organizational topics and issues.
b. Members of the Board shall be cognizant of their roles thoughtfully carry out their responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with advancing the goals, interests, and public image of 80-20.
2) Add a new sub-article 3.5:
3.5 Guiding Principle In Taking Actions
Whenever feasible, 80-20 shall try to create a win-win situation in its dealings with other individuals and organizations. In dealing with organizations working for the same goals, 80-20 shall be patient and tolerant. In dealing with others that are damaging or have damaged our effort to achieve equal opportunity and justice, if the entity repeatedly refuses to agree to a win-win solution, 80-20, being a political action committee, shall apply strong and strategic pressure to counter the other side's principal interests. If and when a satisfactory solution is reached, 80-20 shall retrospectively make the other side a winner, or appear to be a winner.
3) Add a new sub-article 3.6:
3.6 Prohibition
Until Dec. 31, 2016 or a membership exceeding 10,000, whichever comes first, 80-20 shall not take any position in US foreign policies and/or foreign matters, except when it may impact upon its goal to achieve equal opportunity and justice for Asian Americans. The decision to invoke the exception must be approved by 3/4 (75%) of the entire Board. However, related decisions and actions subsequent to the approval of the exemption shall be governed by the Robert's Rules of Order only.
4) Add a new sub-article 3.2.6:
3.2.6 Board Communication Protocol and Behavior Guidelines:
Members of the Board shall behave professionally at all times, so as to effectively promote and advance the goals and images of the organization, both within and without. This includes but is not limited to the following cases:
a. The Board shall keep the internal communications of the organization strictly among the Board members, unless it is explicitly approved otherwise by the Board. These include Board and Executive Committee e-mail messaging of important and sensitive organizational topics and issues.
b. Members of the Board shall be cognizant of their roles thoughtfully carry out their responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with advancing the goals, interests, and public image of 80-20.