GSDCA-WDA BYLAW Change Proposal - Page 13

Retribution—according to The American Heritage Dictionary—“Something given or demanded in repayment; especially punishment…”  Someone posted that he/she felt that many people on the East and West coast regions and perhaps elsewhere across the country would not vote on the 3 proposed by-law changes at all rather than to identify themselves and how they voted for fear of retribution.  This egregious facet of intimidation has been used effectively throughout the ages in the world at large.  And, the WDA and other organizations are basically microcosms of the world at large. (And for those of you who have become accustomed to reading my posts with music, for this one I think I would suggest Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger.”)
 
This current election in an insidious intent on the part of  some members, a cadre within the Board,  to consolidate their power over not only the membership, but over the totality of operations of Board functions.  Several posts have addressed questions unanswered by the Board concerning the release of tax information filed, the system of checks and balances in place, if any, and how many signatories are actually required on any WDA checks. Questions have also been posed as to the existence of possible conflicts of interests with businesses associated with Board members, such as the credit card company(s) used by the Board and the firm used to audit the finances. However, if the Board is victorious in passing these 3 By-Law Proposals, as the saying goes, “they may have won the battle, but they may lose the war.”  The investigations and inquiries on the part of concerned members are not going to go away.  Indeed, it is my hope that all WDA members will become informed and will get involved in the issues and in the candidates in the next election, and some needed changes will be occur.
 
I once read that “using Jews as the scapegoat, Hitler, Goebbels, and cronies orchestrated what they called “the big lie.”  “This theory states that no matter how big the lie is (or more precisely, because it is so big), people will believe it if you repeat it enough.  Everyone tells small lies, Hitler reasoned, but few have the guts to tell colossal lies {source:  Hoffer}.  Because a big lie is so unlikely, people will come to accept it”.   Using this analogy as to what is happening between some of the Board and the membership, the Board spokesmen are continuously telling us that they are volunteers and that we should trust their judgments and that they are working so hard for our benefit. However, as someone previously posted, I, too, find this to be disingenuous babble.
 
There are those of you who still post that what is important to you is the training, trialing, and/or showing your dogs, and that all of the politics of the Board does not matter to you and does not affect you., ah, but it does! Once again using the idea of the WDA being a microcosm of the world at large, one has only to look back through history to see that avoidance of confrontation or appeasement results in neither fairness nor peace.  British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made that fatal mistake when he convinced the Allies to allow Czechoslovakia to be taken over by the Nazis, believing avoiding confrontation would bring about world peace.
 
I think a poem, written by German Pastor Martin Niemoller, speaks better than I on what can be happen when each of us chooses not stand up for the other.  In other words, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
 
In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t            a Communist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade               unionist;
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant;
Then they came for me—and by that time no one was left to speak up.
                       
I guess when you have a Board with some powerful members bent on bullying members into line by intimidation and/or retribution, then it is time for each of us to stand up for the ideals of fairness and integrity.  Many people are doing that openly already.  This Board with impunity can make or break or “come for…” anyone simply by alleging charges and then opening investigations.  Fair competition among breeders can be destroyed; careers of promising dogs can be destroyed; careers of helpers and trainers can be destroyed;  the spirits of members can be destroyed;  all whether deserved or not and all whether guilty or not. Granted there needs to be an oversight into what is proper and accepted behavior that follows WDA guidelines, but these guidelines need to be administered in a fair and impartial manner.  Those accused should not be deemed guilty without a fair and objective hearing.  This seems not always to have been so in the past.  Some of the hearings and results I have been learning about seem to have been more politically and personally motivated than factually accurate. And even the rule about publishing the names of all current applicants for membership is disturbing because, as I understand, it takes only one objection to dismiss someone’s application for membership or for membership renewal, and no reason needs to be given.
 
That is why I implore those of you who dismiss the involvement of politics as an unnecessary burden in your lives to reconsider.  Your vote and your voice do count in any organization and the ultimate decisions of the WDA can and will have an affect on you and your dogs.  Some elements of the current Board refer on Facebook to opposing voices as “troublemakers” or “whiners.”  Then why not stop all the legerdemain and put  to rest the issues by responding to the questions being posed?  Is it because the “inner circle” does not want to?  Is it because they cannot?  Or is it simply because they simply will not?  Think about it.  This is an especially important time in the direction of the WDA.  Please cast your ballot and vote “No” to all 3 by-law proposals.

This egregious facet of intimidation seems to be working on you openmind. It is not fair for you to post anonymously these serious charges against real people. signed Hugh

Hugh, I understand your frustration with anonymous postings but openmind didn't target individuals but rather serious issues and there is a big difference.  As much as I prefer knowing who a poster is I do respect each person's respect for anonymity or not.  There are many reasons for remaining anonymous and it's not my place to be judgmental.

I do have a concern regarding the by law amendments and the issue of ensuring the integrity of the ballots from the time they are collected until the time when they are counted.  Since there was talk of an issue a few years back with possible irregularities in a voting process it seems critical that this process is seamless and handled with impeccable honesty. 

Judy

openmind. In the beginning you were amusing. Now "in my opinion" you are a bore. If you are a member of WDA, which I doubt, why not cut the whining and volunteer to participate on a committee. Maybe, just maybe you could make a difference OR maybe you'd learn something. Think about changing your name to "closedmind".

itsmyopinion:  How do you stand on the by law changes?

Openmind is a draw and when he/she writes the problem regarding the by law changes comes on top again.  You may think he/she is a bore but I learned something new about a possible conflict of interest when it comes to a credit card company and I believe the club's accounting firm (auditing firm I doubt because I am not sure if the WDA was ever audited).      These may only be perceived conflicts of interest but for sure the board of the WDA is looking at these posts and can learn that they need to ensure that conflicts of interests have to be removed and that they are being watched. 

My personal agenda:  I sure would like to see a thriving WDA where people support each other and develop the breed to its best capabilities in show and trialing but in other worthy events too.  I would like to see breeders care for their animals with excellent animal husbandry practices and commit to promoting a healthy GSD in body and mind.  I wish we could see a real mentoring of the "old hats" vs. the "Newbies" in the sport.  A community of GSD enthusiasts in harmony with its goals, and that is the betterment of the breed in this country.  No other personal agendas. 

itsmyopinion - you have gotten bored of openmind very quickly, as you have only had a sign-on the PDB for 3 days. At least openmind is presenting facts.  You have no idea if he/she is a member of the WDA or has volunteered for the WDA.

Here's an idea -  maybe the WDA board can send an email when they are looking for member involvement in committees.  Then those members who want to be involved and have knowledge about what the committee is working on can volunteer.

Here's a couple of questions...  The WDA board is planning on having a teller/tally committee to to count the bylaws proposal ballots and yet they don't have a process finalized on how this is going to be done.  They plan on voting on the process in the meeting in Philadelphia on April 27th and 28th.  What if the process does not pass a vote?  Or is it already planned by the like-minded    individuals that it will pass?

Speaking of volunteers, several years ago there was a call for volunteers on the official web site and I volunteered over and over.  As a matter of fact I offered to help with several committees.  Did I ever get a call asking for my assistance?  NOPE.  So much for volunteering. 
Judy

The WDA board is planning on having a teller/tally committee to to count the bylaws proposal ballots and yet they don't have a process finalized on how this is going to be done.  They plan on voting on the process in the meeting in Philadelphia on April 27th and 28th.

What?  And if there is dissension among the ranks will they postpone the vote counting?