I have read with much interest the position of our 2nd Vice Presidential Candidates on the Proposed Bylaw changes which will be considered at the Annual Meeting in Maui later this week. If any candidate can not support every member of NSA by encouraging approval of a bylaw amendment which will allow every member to vote in the Society Business, then that candidate deserves to be soundly defeated!
Unfortunately, due to an accident earlier this summer which resulted in surgery a few weeks ago, I will not be able to physically attend the Annual Meeting in Maui and therefore, I have been disenfranchised with respect to the ability to cast my vote on important issues which will affect the NSA for years to come. My disenfranchisement has nothing to do with whether I can financially afford to come (I paid for my airfare and paid my registration fee months ago), it has nothing to do with whether I have the time to come (the meeting has been on my calendar since we last met in Anchorage), it has nothing to do with a lack of interest (this will be perhaps one of the most important meetings in recent years).
Dang it - it only has to do with physical circumstances beyond my control. Those of you who will be there with the same desire that I have to be there will be able to vote while I will not. There is nothing fair about a few in my society being able to made decisions for ALL OF US WITHOUT ALL OF US WHO CHOOSE TO HAVING A SAY!
Dang it - put yourself in my place and vote no to the proposed amendment which will allow me and others like me who can not be at the annual meeting. If you vote yes, you are voting to disenfranchise yourself the next time circumstances prevent you from being physically present (for whatever reason - sickness, family death, financial ....) at the annual meeting.
Quite frankly, it it time to get rid of the POLL TAX which prevents all but a few from voting in NSA business matters and in the election of those who will lead us. The POLL TAX of decades ago disenfranchised voters unless they owned real estate. NSA's POLL TAX of only allowing those who can afford or are physically able to attend disenfranchises all but a very few from having a say in their society's business. I know of no other professional society who insists on holding on to the Poll Tax.
Dang it - let's get rid of the NSA Poll Tax!