July 29, 2005

ENews from the Central Division of the NSP
Jim Woodrum
Division Director

I regret that I need to write a broadcast message to the entire 6500+ members of the Central Division. However, that is exactly what must be done to ensure that the membership has a balanced perspective of what is happening with our National association. I would hope that our CD members will help pass this information on by posting it on local patrol websites and bulletin boards. If you know of changes to emails and can help by sending this to those members who might not be aware, that also would be helpful. Some of the information that is contained in this note may not be of much interest or concern to everyone, but change is in the wind and as your DD we must communicate as best we can for all to understand. The procedure that I took was to compose this letter and send it to the CD Region Directors for feedback and input. In light of the E-News distributed by the National BOD today, I have moved up the distribution of my letter from later this week to now.

A few years ago the NSP went through a transformation that resulted in electing a Board of Directors consisting of 12 members and the National Chairman. Currently the way that Directors get nominated, elected, and terms on the board is in question. At the June 2005 National Board Meeting, I, representing the Central Division (CD) and Rick Hamlin from the Eastern Division (ED) made presentations to the National Board recommending change. You can read what those presentations were on both Division websites for insight. Additionally, the CD requested change through proposals in the mission, vision, and values statements that recognizes more of the membership needs in its efforts. Even though it is not reflected in the latest minutes of the June meeting, the National Board took the CD proposals and broke them down for consideration by the three standing National Committees: Governance, Planning, and Finance. These committees are now off investigating the proposals, and based on their findings will make recommendations or proposals to the National Board at the January 06 Midwinter Meetings. I personally have been in discussion with each committee chair concerning these issues. Two other DD’s and myself have been appointed to a task force with the Governance Committee to investigate and make recommendations on the nomination, election, and term limit issues. The intent is to make evolutionary change for the betterment of the NSP as a whole. We have already had one successful conference call and have others scheduled during August with the rest of the Governance Committee. I will give a brief update on this work at our Division Meetings in September.

There is another approach also being pushed that is more confrontational with the National Board and that is through the use of a petition. This drive is being led by four DD’s, Rick Hamlin from ED, Ed Gassman from Rocky Mountain Division (RMD), Barb Dixon from Pacific Northwest Division (PNW), and Terry Petze from European Division. The intent is to force changes to the Articles of Incorporation that brings the issue of nominations, election, and term limits to a vote by the membership. However, because of this, the NSP has retained counsel to defend itself and the Articles of Incorporation. You should also know that in a conference call following the National meetings, these four DD’s agreed to give the National Board and its committees some time and a chance to move on these issues. Now these four DD’s have decided to pursue a petition as a different avenue on their own. I know that many have signed the petition and most likely many more will. The approach being used by these four DD’s may also end up in a court with a judge trying to make the ruling on how our organization runs itself. I have had many patrollers asking me the position of the CD and the CD Director and why I’m not included with Eastern, PNW, RM, & European Division in this act. It is quite simple. Read the proposals and presentation on our CD website. I was sent to the National meetings with a unanimous vote by our CD Region Directors to support change in a way that is well thought out and works within the system. All the DD’s have a conviction that change must take place. Some have decided to be more aggressive and confrontational in their approach. That is inconsistent with what the CD Board asked me to do. That doesn’t diminish my or the CD Board's passion; it is simply a different strategy in how we go about supporting change.

Finally, there are many emails floating through the system that have some pretty one-sided views of how the National Board works. I was at the entire Board meeting in June and observed and participated in how the Board operates. It is very much like how the CD Board conducts its business. There is information being passed along by some folks that were not even involved in the National meetings who have added their little spin to supposedly articulate their point of view. As you read through some of these, just remember there are almost always two sides to a point of view. Use your common sense as you review these notes and emails. I do not intend to try and counterpoint every issue that folks want to lay at my door step. I have been elected by the membership to this role as your DD to support the needs of the membership and support the policies and procedures of our organization. I presented the CD proposal and the National Board liked what they heard enough to send them to committees, asked me and other DD’s to be on the committee task forces to consider the proposals, and on behalf of the CD continue helping with the process. I’m not in this role for my benefit or the benefit of an individual member; I’m out for the benefit of the whole. I will work tirelessly to that end.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim R. Woodrum
Central Division Director

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