Resolution 2022 Discussion

Pro Comments

Don Wood – Lacey, WA USA

I would agree to allow Apprentice Callers to be members of the New Caller committee for purposes of discussion and voting.  I would suggest that the chair and vice chair be established full Callerlab members. Also, that the context of this committee be contained to issues that affect new callers. I am not exactly sure how that would look but I believe more discussion would be beneficial.

Ken Ritucci – West Springfield, MA USA

We need to change the by-laws so these callers can be eligible for the committee.

Kazuya Tsujimura – Kawaguchi, Saitama Pref. JAPAN

I believe that each CALLERLAB committee should hear and consider a wide variety of opinions when making resolutions before voting on them.  For this reason, I believe that this revision of the bylaws will be helpful.

Detlev Junker – Worms, Rheinland Pfalz Germany

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Mel Wilkerson – Tumut, NSW Australia

We try to encourage active participation.  Yes they can participate on committees.  A period of 3 years is arbitrary but reasonable.  I know callers that have been calling occasionally for 20 years that are other association full members, and other callers that after 2 years were calling 4 nights a week at 3 different levels. – There are membership criteria to deal with this.  Participate on committees. – Allow them to vote on the committees to which they serve.  I think that as an associate member they should get the minutes and statements.  There is nothing to hide there and they can see what Callerlab is doing.  This goes to every other associate member and if they can attend meetings and observe where this information is presented, why not give them the minutes etc. Restrict services on the BOG for the apprenticeship period is fine.

Dottie Welch – Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada

This goal of this resolution is to remedy a clearly contradictory situation that resulted from the creation of the New Caller Committee. In fact, there are some other committees where an Apprentice Caller might benefit from membership and be able to offer valuable assistance. If this resolution passes, then each committee would have the option of adjusting its membership prerequisites to include Apprentice Callers. I am in favor of welcoming aspiring new callers into appropriate committees and encouraging them to participate in and vote on matters under discussion. The new caller may bring significant knowledge and skills acquired elsewhere. Also, learning to call should include learning how the governing body works and how to function constructively within the committee environment.

Gary Baker – Greenacres, WA USA

I am in support of this resolution. As has been pointed out, new callers are desperately needed and their opinions should be valued on committees.

Chuck Johnson – GARNER, North Carolina United States

As a new caller, who only this year became a voting member, I am in favor of this proposition. Until the formation of the “New Caller’s Committee” all that I could do was sit idly by and bide my time and wonder who would decide the fate/direction of square dancing. Thankfully, I had several local callers who would talk with me (and dancers) concerning upcoming Callerlab votes. Still though I had no real voice. I feel anyone who is a member of Callerlab should have a voice and a vote.

Larry Kanniard – Wyoming, DE USA

Due to the decrease of current callers, it is necessary to increase our numbers.  Allowing new callers to participate in various committees in various capacities only helps to keep our numbers growing.  Many were dancers before becoming callings and provide can positive input to our activity,

Steven S Sullivan – Pocatello, ID United States

Yes I think we should support this we need to support new callers

elmer b sheffield – Tallahassee, FL United States

i think this is a good change we need to encourage new callers as much as we can       elmer

Bill Varley – Montgomery, Texas United States

As a relatively new caller (10 years of regular calling), I remember what it took to just get started.  I also remember those early years working for and waiting for opportunities.  I believe the issues of brand new callers are different from those who  have been calling 4-5 years, but both types of callers should be represented on the New Caller Committee.

Tony Oxendine – Charlotte, NC United States

I think it is our best interest to allow Apprentice Members to serve on committees.  If they are allowed to serve, then they should also be afforded the right to vote on any issue concerning that committee.  Rightly or wrongly, in the past, CALLERLAB has been accused of being an elitist organization.  Approving this resolution is a big step in the right direction.

Chuck Simpkins – Grants Pass, OR United States

If we as a whole want to keep our activity up to date a fresh, shouldn’t we allow the actual new caller to be a part of the “New Caller ” committee? Possibly a new look at issues from new faces?

Mike Wright – Concord, CA United States

I agree that Apprentice Members should be allowed to sit on committees.  Just because they are new callers does not preclude them from having valuable insight.  A new caller may have been inside the square dance world for many years before he decides to become a caller.  We should strive to be more inclusive as their input can be very valuable to helping regrow our activity.

Jon Jones – Arlington, TX United States

Many committees have restrictions for membership. There needs to be an addition to the sentence below.          Apprentice Members may serve on committees (that they qualify for) and vote on committee business.

Dan Koft – York, PA United States

I think that allowing new callers to participate in committees and in those discussions could be a valuable resource.  They will be closer to our dancer population and in many cases be spending more time dancing than calling.

Lynn Nelson – Kansas City, KS United States

I’m not sure, but I doubt if there was a committee to support new callers when our By-Laws were written.  It only seems like good common sense to me to allow the members who would most benefit from the committee to participate and give input from their perspective.  Without their input, how do we know what our newest callers really need.  We can provide basic resources, but they might want or need something that, as experienced callers, we may not think of. Not only that, the world and our activity has gone through a lot of changes since we all started to call.  New callers may need resources that we didn’t need as beginners.

Gloria Vivier – Granby, Massachusetts United States

Apprentice callers could serve on the New Caller committee only.     I don’t think that their lack of experience would benefit other committees

Lanny Beam – Sioux Falls, SD USA

This sounds like a good plan and a good way to fix a deficiency.  Committees like the “New Callers Committee” certainly need the input of newer callers.

Gary Carpenter – The Entrance, NSW Australia

This would give international callers a chance to be involved in discussions and decisions.

Mike Wright – Concord, CA United States

I agree that Apprentice Members should be allowed to sit on committees.  Just because they are new callers does not preclude them from having valuable insight.  A new caller may have been inside the square dance world for many years before he decides to become a caller.  We should strive to be more inclusive as their input can be very valuable to helping regrow our activity.

Jon Jones – Arlington, TX United States

Many committees have restrictions for membership. There needs to be an addition to the sentence below.  Apprentice Members may serve on committees (that they qualify for) and vote on committee business.

Dan Koft – York, PA United States

I think that allowing new callers to participate in committees and in those discussions could be a valuable resource.  They will be closer to our dancer population and in many cases be spending more time dancing than calling.

Lynn Nelson – Kansas City, KS United States

I’m not sure, but I doubt if there was a committee to support new callers when our By-Laws were written.  It only seems like good common sense to me to allow the members who would most benefit from the committee to participate and give input from their perspective.  Without their input, how do we know what our newest callers really need.  We can provide basic resources, but they might want or need something that, as experienced callers, we may not think of. Not only that, the world and our activity has gone through a lot of changes since we all started to call.  New callers may need resources that we didn’t need as beginners.

Gloria Vivier – Granby, Massachusetts United States

Apprentice callers could serve on the New Caller committee only.     I don’t think that their lack of experience would benefit other committees

Lanny Beam – Sioux Falls, SD USA

This sounds like a good plan and a good way to fix a deficiency.  Committees like the “New Callers Committee” certainly need the input of newer callers.

Gary Carpenter – The Entrance, NSW Australia

This would give international callers a chance to be involved in discussions and decisions.

Andy Chong – Toronto, ON Canada

Now that the issue has been raised, should the requirement of calling for 3 years really be calling for 3 year the number of dances / classes required for voting membership? Some callers may be “life apprentices”, who call tips but rarely full dances.

Michael Sikorsky – Apache Junction, AZ United States

I Support it

Vernon Jones – Springtown, Texas USA

I believe we should pass this resolution. Apprentice members can be and are a vital part of our organization and provide good input with their thoughts and ideas. A perfect example is the New Callers Committee. This committee was established to provide new callers with a place to voice their opinions and concerns yet because of the way our bylaws are structured they are not allowed to be on this committee. A yes vote would be in the best interest of them and for CALLERLAB.    Thank you  Vernon Jones  Chairman-New Callers Committee

Drewery Scearce – Arlington, VA USA

I think that passing this resolution would tell the New Callers that we need  your input in the Square Dance world by serving on the committee of their choice

Patrick McBride – Grand Junction, CO United States

I see no problem with this resolution.

Greg Weber – Puyallup, WA USA

I think there should be some sort of distinction as to the “type” of voting privileges that will be granted to apprentice members. In the suggested resolution change, it twice references:    Privileges. Apprentice Members shall have all privileges of Active Members,   except voting** (WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?), serving on the Board of Governors, or receiving minutes and financial statements. Apprentice Members may serve on committees and vote on committee business.    Maybe an asterisk which defines those GENERAL MEMBERSHIP voting rights, other than saying later in the same paragraph that they “may serve on committees and vote on committee business.”    or change it to:  Privileges. Apprentice Members shall have all privileges of Active Members,   except for serving on the Board of Governors or receiving minutes and financial statements. Apprentice Members may serve on committees and vote ONLY ON THE BUSINESS OF THAT COMMITTEE.    Thanks all. Great addition for Apprentice Membership.

Scott L Pearce – Folsom, CA United States

I am very much in favor of this resolution.  Not only is it appropriate for Apprentice Members to to be an active part of the New Caller Committee, but as new callers, they may bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to other committees that they serve on.

Jeff Palmer – Colorado Springs, CO USA

It is obvious to me that we need to support our future callers and give them experience with CALLERLB and committee work, therefore, I support this change.

Patty Greene – Monroe, NC USA

I believe that this is a good solution to this loophole. New callers are our lifeblood, and we need to allow them to participate in discussions and encourage their continued participation.

Con Comments

Kurt Gollhardt – Union City, CA United States

The motivation for this resolution is good, but it seems to go overboard in its execution. I’d like to see Apprentice Members be able to participate in the New Callers Committee, perhaps even other committees that suit an individual’s talents or passions, and contribute to discussions while learning about how our committees work. However, I wonder if voting should be left to those with more experience. I would also think that Apprentices shouldn’t chair or vice-chair committees.    The wording should at least clarify that this is subject to the membership requirements of each committee. It should probably restrict them from *leading* committees.    I would lean toward changing it to say they may *not* vote on committee business, but if we leave that, the previous sentence should be clarified to “except voting on general membership votes” or “except voting outside of committee business”.

 

Michael Braithwaite – Augsburg, Bavaria Germany

In general I would be pro, regarding input and giving an insight view. But voting should be executed by the active members.

WENDY VANDERMEULEN – St-Albert (Ottawa), Ontario Canada

I do not support this resolution. I don’t think that callers who have only be calling for less than 3 years really know enough about the craft and how CALLERLAB operates to be knowledgable enough to vote reasonably. Becoming an Apprentice member is a step toward an Associate membership, which comes with voting privileges.  Let the Apprentice learn about CALLERLAB before putting the responsibility of voting onto his/her shoulders.

Jerry Reed – Melbourne, FL USA

At this time I do not support this resolution. I do not believe the requirements to move from Apprentice Member are too restrictive. I believe Apprentice Members should gain more experience. I also believe attending a convention is critical to learning how CALLERLAB and our committees work.

Jeremy Butler – Virginia Beach, VA USA

I like the idea of allowing Apprentice Members on committees.  However, I believe this resolution is flawed and requires some tweaking to be more nuanced.  I think each committee should have to flexibility to allow or disallow voting by Apprentice Members.  While I think Apprentice Members should absolutely be allowed to join any Committee for which they qualify, I don’t think voting rights in ALL committees should be granted in a blanket resolution.  Such wording, in a blanket statement in the by-laws, could theoretically create a situation where an Apprentice Member has more voting capability than a Full Member.

Graham Elliott – Adelaide, South Australia Australia

I support having apprentices on committeess however don;t feel they should have voting rights.  I find that people who are very new into calling haven’t genereally grasped all the history and philosophy of what we do yet. (Of course there are exceptions – I’m talking generally). Voting decisions (except perhaps what colour napkins we buy!!) should be made by those with some experience of running clubs, teaching etc.   The 3 years may be debatable but it’s a reasonable “apprenticeship” period.

Joe Dehn – Sunnyvale, California United States

My initial reaction is that this change is not needed to deal with the situation presented. Different committees already have different requirements for participation, and while allowing Apprentice Members to participate in the New Callers Committee might make sense, that doesn’t mean they should be treated the same way for other committees. The details of who can join what committee are not specified in the bylaws — not even what committees exist is specified in the bylaws. And there is at least one committee, the Callers Partners Committee, which is made up mostly of people who are not members at all. Apparently the bylaws have been interpreted to allow that — so why couldn’t this case be handled similarly, with a description, for that committee specifically, saying that Apprentice Members are welcome to join?    Also, it looks like if this change were approved, there would be no difference in the privileges of Associate Members vs. Apprentice Members. In that case, why would we need to consider them to be two distinct categories — why not just consider people who haven’t been calling for at least three years to be Associate Members?

John Harden – Caledonia, IL United States

I would not want to approve this as written; however, I would propose an amendment something along the lines of “Apprentice Members may serve on committees and vote on committee business after they have attended at least one Callerlab Convention.”  I’m a new caller who only recently gained Member status. I haven’t currently gotten involved with any committees YET, because I don’t feel I’m familiar enough with the workings of Callerlab. I have been planning to take my first “in person” Convention as an opportunity to see how the committees work and how Callerlab works as an organization. The last couple of years have created some additional challenges with being able to see “in person” how Callerlab and the Callerlab Committees work. As a group we had to find other options for meeting and conducting business for an organization that is very spread out geographically. Overall, this has been very positive, but I feel it may also be causing us to take some shortcuts that otherwise might not be considered.  I think that a new caller needs to put their focus on learning their craft and learning how the Callerlab organization works. Yes, new callers bring in new ways of thinking, but we still have a LOT to learn. I could see opening committee meetings to allow an Apprentice to sit in and add to discussion, but not to vote. Putting in at least a limit that gives us a chance to see how the inner workings work shows a commitment to advancing our craft as a caller beyond the individual.