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MOC, Inc. Board of Directors Appoints New Vice President

T Vance

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Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote:
I'm not saying that the people who have been put into place recently are not going to do a great job, I'm just saying MOC should be a democracy.
We should vote democratically, but I don't think we have any business at all doing anything else democratically. The founders hated democracy for good reasons, same as I do.
Would you mind elaborating a little bit more?
 

zigziggityzoo

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Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote: 
I'm not saying that the people who have been put into place recently are not going to do a great job, I'm just saying MOC should be a democracy.
We should vote democratically, but I don't think we have any business at all doing anything else democratically. The founders hated democracy for good reasons, same as I do.
I have no problem with the board doing everyday business autonomously, but I would like a say in who the board is.
 

wardog6d

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No where within the bi-laws does it state MOC will be operated as a democracy. MOC.INC is in fact regarded by its officers as a company. The bi-laws for the members are just that, Bi-laws. You the members have paid for your membership to be governed by a company. For those of you that are not satisfied with recent decisions by the governing body in which you basicly hired, may be should have read the bi-laws before paying for this service. The governing body was elected by you even though some of the officershave left positions recently. These by-laws are in fact governing the governers. Which is exactly what they are supposed to do. If you have issue's with this after the fact. Read the bi-laws as in the end you the members do indeed control the entire board.
 

T Vance

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zigziggityzoo wrote:
Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote:
I'm not saying that the people who have been put into place recently are not going to do a great job, I'm just saying MOC should be a democracy.
We should vote democratically, but I don't think we have any business at all doing anything else democratically. The founders hated democracy for good reasons, same as I do.
I have no problem with the board doing everyday business autonomously, but I would like a say in who the board is.
That's exactly what I meant to say. People are appointed positions to handle certain business, but I'd like a say in who is appointed, JMO.
 

zigziggityzoo

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wardog6d wrote:
No where within the bi-laws does it state MOC will be operated as a democracy. MOC.INC is in fact regarded by its officers as a company.  The bi-laws for the members are just that, Bi-laws. You the members have paid for your membership to be governed by a company. For those of you that are not satisfied with recent decisions by the governing body in which you basicly hired, may be should have read the bi-laws before paying for this service. The governing body was elected by you even though some of the officers have left positions recently. These by-laws are in fact governing the governers. Which is exactly what they are supposed to do. If you have issue's with this after the fact. Read the bi-laws as in the end you the members do indeed control the entire board.

FWIW, the bylaws were not published (were they even created?), nor was there a MOC website, when I first joined as a charter member.

I don't currently see a violation of the bylaws, but I'm saying that the future of this "business" had better change, or else my membership is gone. I can be a civil rights activist without paying $50/yr to MOC.
 
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zigziggityzoo wrote:
I read the bylaws - I just think that this isn't the best way of doing things.
Zig you are always one that is in the forefront of explaining the law and often it's intent. And it appears that you have some knowledge of lawful things.

Therefore, it should be abundantly obvious to you that if any officer/board member deviates from the by-laws in the performance of their duties, they subject themselves to civil action, removal, and other sanctions.

A membership vote is simply not an option.
 

T Vance

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zigziggityzoo wrote:
I can be a civil rights activist without paying $50/yr to MOC.
Just so you know, the $50 charted membership was to get things going, and give people an insentive to join. When/if you renew it will be the cost of a regular membership, $20.
 
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T Vance wrote:
zigziggityzoo wrote:
Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote:
I'm not saying that the people who have been put into place recently are not going to do a great job, I'm just saying MOC should be a democracy.
We should vote democratically, but I don't think we have any business at all doing anything else democratically. The founders hated democracy for good reasons, same as I do.
I have no problem with the board doing everyday business autonomously, but I would like a say in who the board is.
That's exactly what I meant to say. People are appointed positions to handle certain business, but I'd like a say in who is appointed, JMO.
Communicate with the officers that you have elected.

That is how "shareholders" do it in a corporation.
 

Michigander

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T Vance wrote:
Would you mind elaborating a little bit more?
Sure, no problem.

Every hard core democracy is destined to fall flat on its face in time. Particularly when you have a diverse group. It is more or less a law of physics, proven through out the ages in just about every example you can dig up.

If we had started out democratically, we would have been put out of business OCing by other folks who carry guns, but don't approve of openly carrying. Many who are involved now never would have been involved at the beginning, and some of these folks wouldn't have approved, either, until we showed that OCing is safe and legal. I call these folks "bandwagon jumpers". Nothing against the bandwagon jumpers, just trying to show one small example of the way democracy can and will fail.

As we grow bigger, and more diverse, it is still no less critical to keep democracy out of the picture. We exist to educate people about rights and how to use them safely, to promote and perhaps expand rights. We must not go democratically telling people what to do as a group, as long as they are safely following the law. Individuals need to express opinions, but we MUST NOT try to use mob rule to control the behavior of our members. I say that as a MOC member, as well as a member of OCDO.
 
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zigziggityzoo wrote:
wardog6d wrote:
No where within the bi-laws does it state MOC will be operated as a democracy. MOC.INC is in fact regarded by its officers as a company. The bi-laws for the members are just that, Bi-laws. You the members have paid for your membership to be governed by a company. For those of you that are not satisfied with recent decisions by the governing body in which you basicly hired, may be should have read the bi-laws before paying for this service. The governing body was elected by you even though some of the officershave left positions recently. These by-laws are in fact governing the governers. Which is exactly what they are supposed to do. If you have issue's with this after the fact. Read the bi-laws as in the end you the members do indeed control the entire board.

FWIW, the bylaws were not published (were they even created?), nor was there a MOC website, when I first joined as a charter member.

I don't currently see a violation of the bylaws, but I'm saying that the future of this "business" had better change, or else my membership is gone. I can be a civil rights activist without paying $50/yr to MOC.
The by-laws of any corporation are established by a temporary board prior to filing its corporate papers with the state.

The corporation was registered with the stat prior to acceptance of any memberships.

Its a legal thing zig. You of all people should know that. You are one of the most proficient in the subject of law on this forum. (NOT SARCASM!!!)
 

viperar15

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Dec 17, 2008
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MOC IT / Midland, Michigan, USA
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zigziggityzoo wrote:
wardog6d wrote:
No where within the bi-laws does it state MOC will be operated as a democracy. MOC.INC is in fact regarded by its officers as a company. The bi-laws for the members are just that, Bi-laws. You the members have paid for your membership to be governed by a company. For those of you that are not satisfied with recent decisions by the governing body in which you basicly hired, may be should have read the bi-laws before paying for this service. The governing body was elected by you even though some of the officershave left positions recently. These by-laws are in fact governing the governers. Which is exactly what they are supposed to do. If you have issue's with this after the fact. Read the bi-laws as in the end you the members do indeed control the entire board.

FWIW, the bylaws were not published (were they even created?), nor was there a MOC website, when I first joined as a charter member.

I don't currently see a violation of the bylaws, but I'm saying that the future of this "business" had better change, or else my membership is gone. I can be a civil rights activist without paying $50/yr to MOC.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=27023&forum_id=30&highlight=viperar15

zig... the site was up and bylaws posted on the site before this was posted and membership applications were allowed.
 

T Vance

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Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote:
Would you mind elaborating a little bit more?
Sure, no problem.

Every hard core democracy is destined to fall flat on its face in time. Particularly when you have a diverse group. It is more or less a law of physics, proven through out the ages in just about every example you can dig up.

If we had started out democratically, we would have been put out of business OCing by other folks who carry guns, but don't approve of openly carrying. Many who are involved now never would have been involved at the beginning, and some of these folks wouldn't have approved, either, until we showed that OCing is safe and legal. I call these folks "bandwagon jumpers". Nothing against the bandwagon jumpers, just trying to show one small example of the way democracy can and will fail.

As we grow bigger, and more diverse, it is still no less critical to keep democracy out of the picture. We exist to educate people about rights and how to use them safely, to promote and perhaps expand rights. We must not go democratically telling people what to do as a group, as long as they are safely following the law. Individuals need to express opinions, but we MUST NOT try to use mob rule to control the behavior of our members. I say that as a MOC member, as well as a member of OCDO.
Thanks for the clarification! I agree, I just might like to see voting for members appointed to various positions within MOC. Again, not saying that the people that have been recently appointed are not going to do a great job, just wondering where the paying members stand when it comes to voting people into those positions.
 

zigziggityzoo

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Nov 28, 2008
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CV67PAT wrote:
The by-laws of any corporation are established by a temporary board prior to filing its corporate papers with the state.

The corporation was registered with the stat prior to acceptance of any memberships.

Its a legal thing zig. You of all people should know that. You are one of the most proficient in the subject of law on this forum. (NOT SARCASM!!!)

I understand how it works. What I'm saying is this:

This needs to change. It can be done the easy way (board agrees to submit those previously open positions before the membership for a special election) or it can be done the hard way (I call a special meeting for the recall of the previously open positions, we then, by threat of pulling the remaining board members, too, humbly request that a vote take place).

Somewhere in the intermix, we need to amend the bylaws so that this doesn't happen again. Since when does it make sense to have a OLIGARCHY for an organization when we're sitting here promoting civil rights and the US Constitution?
 
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T Vance wrote:
Michigander wrote:
T Vance wrote:
Would you mind elaborating a little bit more?
Sure, no problem.

Every hard core democracy is destined to fall flat on its face in time. Particularly when you have a diverse group. It is more or less a law of physics, proven through out the ages in just about every example you can dig up.

If we had started out democratically, we would have been put out of business OCing by other folks who carry guns, but don't approve of openly carrying. Many who are involved now never would have been involved at the beginning, and some of these folks wouldn't have approved, either, until we showed that OCing is safe and legal. I call these folks "bandwagon jumpers". Nothing against the bandwagon jumpers, just trying to show one small example of the way democracy can and will fail.

As we grow bigger, and more diverse, it is still no less critical to keep democracy out of the picture. We exist to educate people about rights and how to use them safely, to promote and perhaps expand rights. We must not go democratically telling people what to do as a group, as long as they are safely following the law. Individuals need to express opinions, but we MUST NOT try to use mob rule to control the behavior of our members. I say that as a MOC member, as well as a member of OCDO.
Thanks for the clarification! I agree, I just might like to see voting for members appointed to various positions within MOC. Again, not saying that the people that have been recently appointed are not going to do a great job, just wondering where the paying members stand when it comes to voting people into those positions.
Like in a city council meeting where comments are heard and considered prior to the council, vote. This does provide for a means by which to not only express concerns, but also hold the board accountable for its votes.
 
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Additionally, when Mikestilly posted his intention to be considered for appointment to fill the vacated VP position, it did provide for a period of membership comment.

I can see where this late night announcement has raised the ire of some.

It does create the perception, albeit I'm certain unintentional, of some backroom deal making.


Edit to add:

Speaking of Mikestilly...

I am still the Chairman of the Committee to Elect Mikestilly.

Irrespective of Mikestilly's wishes to no longer be considered for election, the campaign to elect him is still moving forward.

There was a Playgirl photo-shoot on Saturday, and though Mikestilly wasn't there we went forward with it. Some photoshop cropping is going to have to be done, but other than that it was a hugh success.

Keep posted for other Mikestilly election campaign events that are to be scheduled in the near future. It is going to be an uphill battle to get him elected, especially in light of Jeff's appointment, but I have no doubt that I can get it done for him as his campaign manager.

"If nominated I will not run. If elected I will not serve"

VOTE FOR MIKESTILLY 2010
[line]This announcement was paid for by the Political Action Committee to Elect Mikestilly 2010.

"Hi, I'm Mikestilly and I approve this message."

("Well not really but I do want to get elected.")
 

autosurgeon

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Zig first of all the website was up and the bylaws were posted before memberships were taken. I know BC I was one of the first to pay for a charter membership.

TVance as these are volunteer positions and an opportunity was given for people to submit applications to the board.... and from what I understand there were not an overabundance of volunteers.... what this means is likely you would have had the same people to choose from even if an election had been held.

You cannot very well have a vote that means anything without people running for the positions. In the situation that just happened it was imperative that the positions be filled and the organization get back to work promoting the RTKBA through OC.

Finally in regards to why positions are filled by appointment. This is fairly standard in this type of organization. When an officer moves up due to a resignation then the person who moved up works with the board to appoint a replacement for his or her vacated position for the duration of his or her term. This allows for a quick transition and gets things back on an even keel. When the person's position comes up for election they will have the opportunity to either run for the position or not.

This is all spelled out in the bylaws.

NOTE this is my personal opinion and NOT an official position of MOC.
 
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