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NEWSLETTER
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President's Message, February 2013
As you may recall, when assuming the LAFF presidency three years ago I put a minimalist bureaucratic committee structure in place to deal with questions of governance and communications and activated an executive committee to help spread and enrich the Society’s decision-making processes. In earlier Newsletter issues, I reported on the communication committee’s excellent work in redesigning the Newsletter and website, both emblazoned with LAFF’s new logo and ably managed by volunteer editors.
I also reported briefly on the governance committee’s recommendations regarding membership and terms of office, to be limited to three years, renewable. Today’s message is intended to enlist the entire membership in the planning and execution of an open and transparent process for choosing the Society’s leadership.
Acting on the governance committee’s recommendations, the executive committee is now proposing the following governance process and asking the LAFF membership to weigh in with ideas and recommendations both on procedure and potential candidates for President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer, as well as executive committee members.
The first order of business is to establish a nominating committee that has broad familiarity with the Society and can provide the broadest possible representation of the diverse LAFF membership. All comments and recommendations should be sent to Nellie Toma, our current (and dare I add indispensable)
Secretary-Treasurer by March 31.
By April 30, 2013
• The executive committee affirms preliminary criteria for officers and their terms, and appoints a nominating committee composed of no more than five individuals to develop a slate of candidates.
• The nominating committee meets to decide how to proceed with the nominations process and the election of officers.
By June 30, 2013
• Nominating committee makes an interim report to the executive committee, along with a proposed slate of officers.
• The membership is informed of the proposed slate and procedure for the possible introduction of an alternative slate.
By September 2013
• The membership votes, either online or by mail-in ballot.
By October 2013
• The results are announced to the membership.
By January 2014
• The transition to new/re-elected leadership occurs.
By March 2014
• Members of the executive committee are announced and meet with the newly-elected officers.
I know I speak for all of the officers and committee members when I say how pleased we are to be able to contribute to LAFF and see it grow and flourish, but we are also aware that we should serve at the pleasure of the membership. The proposed transition plan is designed to ensure that all of our nearly 500 members have a say in the governance of the Society and a stake in its future. So weigh in, please, with your thoughts and recommendations.
As we begin this new year, I need, sadly, to reflect on the passing of members and friends, most recently Francis X. Sutton, who symbolized for many of us the awesome wit, intellect and professionalism that characterize Ford Foundation staff and the LAFF membership. The departure of these dear colleagues reminds us of why LAFF exists, to promote “social and professional contacts among former staff members” and, may I add, valued friends.
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