GVEA Annual Meeting 2007 re-cap

While still in the Carlson and folks still carting away piles of hard cookies, the last GVEA meeting was less contentious and a little less of a glitzy media presentation than in recent years past. The board members even said a few words as they introduced themselves. Board chairman Bill Nordmark made it through chairing the meeting with retiring CEO Steve Haagenson.

Members referred to the upcoming rate hike to be proposed at 4.5%, but it wasn't mentioned in the annual report or by GVEA folks. I had heard much higher than that. We'll see and it members will have a chance to weigh in through the RCA when the time comes.

Twelve SNAP producers were presented checks for about between $30-$1200 (as memory serves me). About $25,000 was contributed by members.

We heard nothing about Alasconnect finances.

My agenda item was to get board members talking to and hearing from their districts' constituents more than now (just about nil). In months and years past, I've suggested blogs, web forums, opt-in emails, district meetings as in years past, newsletters. The best methods to start are the ones that 1) don't cost much 2) more importantly, will allow transparent two-way communications. Surprisingly, Bill Nordmark and Ron Bergh expressed positive opinions, as did Tom Delong and Karen Cedzo. Apparently, they may now be hearing about such things at some of the many presentations, workshops, and conferences they attend. While I've heard promises before (usually when the board member is up for election), the 4 of them constitute a majority, so if they really want to, it can happen.

Others may have additional contributions to a recap of the meeting. Feel free to comment.

article forthcoming

My intrepid reporter has interviewed each of the board candidates and will be preparing an article for the next issue of the paper. I, like a numbskull, completely forgot about the annual meeting, and didn't go. Sigh.

director interviews

I may have found a person who will interview the GVEA candidates for the May issue (comes out May 15) of the Republic. If anyone has questions they'd like asked, information they think might be worth finding out on a candidate's stance, please comment here, and I'll check back.

director elections

Information taken from the GVEA website:
(here's the current board, for comparison.

Candidates for district 5

Candidates nominated by committee:
Ron Bergh, incumbent
David Pieczynski

Candidates nominated by petition:
Hank Bartos

Candidates for district 6

Candidates nominated by committee:
Karen Cedzo, incumbent
John Sloan

Candidates nominated by petition:
Brian Corty

It would be nice to have a little more information on these people other than their answers to GVEA's questions. The ballots will be mailed May 4, but it's not clear when they'll have to be sent back and when they'll be counted (other than the 6/07 rough date).

GVEA MAC member communications only One Way

Apparently, those GVEA board members who attend Membership Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings don't carry back the comments of the MAC members. At a recent MAC meeting, the MAC members were quite animated about the G&T vote (not in favor), but the board members present failed to mention this to the full board when they presented their report.

I again strongly urge the GVEA board to develop effective TWO WAY communications and offer this site as a forum, since there seems to be no official means.

GVEA President to resign

GVEA announced that Steve Haagenson plans to resign as President and CEO of GVEA in November 2007.

Annual meeting coming up!

The GVEA annual membership meeting is coming up on April 24, at the Carlson Center. Here's the agenda:

•6-7:30 p.m. - Registration
•7:30 p.m. - Welcome from the Chairman of the Board
•Pledge of Allegiance & Anthems
•Secretary’s Report of Quorum
•Approval of 2005 Minutes
•Report by Chairman and President & CEO
•Financial & Project Updates
•MAC Acknowledgements
•Announcement of Districts 5 & 6 election of directors by mail ballot and introduction of candidates
•Unfinished Business
•New Business – Announce Scholarship Awards
•Member Comments
•Prize Drawings
•Adjournment

Member comments ought to be interesting...