Hmmm...
By
October 2006
Wow, was it really last month when I was whining about it being quiet in CAM right now? DUH! There is plenty going on now!
First, elections. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a list of candidates for Ex Comm (and bios as submitted by them) along with a ballot. PLEASE - take the time to read the bios, gather information about the candidates (from whatever sources you deem appropriate) and then VOTE! CAM historically has a poor showing in elections and I really hope that changes this year. There are 11 very qualified people on the ballot, ALL of whom have a history of volunteer work for CAM! Is that not a wonderful thing? I know that deciding whom to vote for will be the biggest challenge - but please, DO IT!!!
One word about secret ballots - I have heard rumor to the effect that some people are hesitant to vote for fear of their vote not being confidential due to the fact that names are on the envelopes. Please, let me explain the process. First the envelopes are validated, meaning that the name of the person on the envelope is verified as a member of CAM and as having only one envelope. Then the envelopes are opened and the ballots removed and put into a pile together. *Then* the votes are counted. Please do not allow concerns about confidentiality keep you from voting - it is important.
On a separate note, all of you should have received a copy of the proposed CAM Bylaws. On the CAM website (http://www.cincinnati.us.mensa.org) you will find a section entitled Administrivia. Here you will find a copy of the proposed Bylaws, the current Bylaws and information about the process for changing them. Please review all of this information carefully and pose questions as you find them (either to members of Ex Comm in person or on the elist). Alternately, email your concerns or questions to me (or another member of Ex Comm) and we can address them in this forum. Ballots for the proposed amendments will be found in next month's Mencinnatian and will follow the same procedure, although they will be mailed to a different person. I cannot emphasize the importance of these ballots enough - and I promise to write more about this next month.
OK, now that I have spent most of my time this month nagging you about your civic duty, let me pause for a personal note or two. I hope that you have had a fun summer! Mine officially ends tomorrow with the first day of Monday School (a perhaps strange co-op school that my daughters attend). You may recall my whines about teaching physics last year - this year I move onto Anatomy and Physiology (on Mondays) and Chemistry (on Tuesdays). I really cannot wait! I will have many of the same students and they are a great bunch of kids. I have been writing lesson plans for months and am ready to go!
For those of you who missed the CAM camping trip on Labor Day weekend (and yeah, that was the vast majority of you) - we had a great time! S'mores were made, boating was enjoyed by all and the weather was decidedly cool. It would have been a very fine weekend were it not for the falling raccoon (ask Dave - he was the lead cheerleader!).
I hope to see you soon -