TalkBoard Topics - TalkBoard Elections for President & Vice President

TalkBoard Elections

The ten members of the TalkBoard are just starting their election process
for a President and Vice President of the Board. Currently a run off between
two well-known members of the Board - cigarman and Punki will be followed by
the selection/election of a Vice President. As the Board moves forward with
their roles on FlyerTalk, we have created a Town Hall for FlyerTalk. It will
continue to grow over the next few months with more information and ways in
which you can see what is going on at FlyerTalk. Feel free to take a sneak
peek at what will become your place of communication with the TalkBoard and
other matters of interest to all members.

LINK: http://www.flyertalk.com/townhall/

Actually doc, I have chosen to retire from the Flyer TalkBoard.

I certainly wish the remaining members the very bst of luck in their endeavors.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Punki:
Actually [b]doc, I have chosen to retire from the Flyer TalkBoard. </font>

I'm sure I speak on behalf of all FT members when I say your presence on TB will be very much missed.

Sebastien

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Punki:

Actually doc, I have chosen to retire from the Flyer TalkBoard.

I certainly wish the remaining members the very bst of luck in their endeavors.</font>

---

Gosh, what a setback! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

This is getting to be really, REALLY sad! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I'm sure that you have your reasons, and I surely respect 'em whatever they might be, yet FT & FT'ers will surely miss your invaluable input.

All my best wishes for the FT TalkBoard, and sincere hopes for a speedy replacement.

Sadly,

-Mark

I am beginning to think that the FT Board Meeting room must have been built on an indian burial ground. It certainly seems to be cursed. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

To all the current Board members: Thanks for your efforts on behalf of us all.

Curious, to say the least.

Sorry to hear that you're leaving Punki http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Punki,

Sorry to hear of your resignation. As a relative newbie here, I've already discerned that you're a person of reasonable and constructive views, and respected by a lot of us.

Punki,

As a member of the Talk Board, I too am sorry you're gone.
I'm saddened that you left just because you weren't elected president.

Your valuable input in our starting up process was priceless.

I know I speak for everone on the current board; and the flyertalk community, when I say that YOUR opinions will be missed.

Dan

Actually, Punki left for other reasons--it had nothing to do with her not being elected President (there never was a vote count).

I am dissapointed that anyone from the Board is commenting on this thread at the moment regarding items under discussion (vote counts) Randy has commented quite vocally about this in the past.

Rest assured that there will be a statement issued by the Board soon.


TW

Edited for clarity


[This message has been edited by Tolarian Wind (edited 02-13-2002).]

I smiled when I read your post, dhammer53. While BlondeBomber is correct in stating that there never was a TalkBoard Presidential vote count prior to my resignation, my resignation actually did have something to do with the election--I was terrified that I would be elected Talk Board President!

I know myself well enough to know that once I accept a position of responsibility, I will never quit, no matter how miserable I might become and, quite frankly, Talk Board has been IMHO a very unpleasant, miserable place to be from the beginning--a fact that was also at least in part responsible for the departure of some of the other appointed former Talk Board members.

During this past week I have experienced two very important events that caused me to think very deeply about what really matters in my life. The first was participating in one of the most wonderful, welcoming and enriching celebrations of friendship and joy that I have ever experienced. The second was receipt of the very sad news that a close family member, not so very much older than I, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Our days are numbered and far too short to waste away on unnecessary, unpleasant ventures. I am sure that life will, from time to time deal me (deal all of us), painful situations from which we cannot walk away. When those times come I will buckle down and deal with them.

In the instance of Talk Board, however, there is far too far much unpleasantness, and sadly no humor, joy or sense of accomplishment to compensate for that cost. It is, therefore, not a place I wish to be.

I wish the remaining Talk Board members well and do sincerely hope that they are able to make significant change that will serve to make Flyer Talk and even better place in the future.

Punki, Sometimes, in life there is a graceful way to exit. Then there are ways that are very disruptive and self serving. Since you know the Talkboard has rules discussing it's business, you put us in a bind regarding the parsing of the word "count". You can say anything you like... and we cannot. And if you were "terrified of being elected Talkboard President", why did you chose to run? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

[This message has been edited by cigarman (edited 02-13-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Punki:
BlondeBomber is correct in stating that there never was a TalkBoard Presidential vote count prior to my resignation</font>

Punki, what would you call the THREE Presidental Votes that are listed on the Town Hall page?
Presidential Vote (Submission Date: 11-04-2001) (http://www.flyertalk.com/townhall/scripts/viewnews.cgi?category=3&id=1013456139)
Presidential Vote II (Submission Date: 11-05-2001) (http://www.flyertalk.com/townhall/scripts/viewnews.cgi?category=3&id=1013456379)
Presidential Vote III (Submission Date: 2-07-2001) (http://www.flyertalk.com/townhall/scripts/viewnews.cgi?category=3&id=1013458079)

Also, if I may ask...What were the results of the runoff vote? I don't see that one listed on the Town Hall page.

Punki,

Sorry to hear someone close to you is sick. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Stay tough.

Glad to hear you finally put the stress of TalkBoard behind you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dorian


(edited to tone down language by request from a friend of mine)

[This message has been edited by Dorian (edited 02-14-2002).]

Patience is a virtue. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 02-14-2002).]

.

[This message has been edited by Dorian (edited 02-14-2002).]

Again, patience is a virue. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 02-15-2002).]

This is an ill-advised discussion. Whether out of compliance with TB policies, or out of consideration for those involved, interpersonal TB issues cannot be fully discussed. The innuendoes and slanted facts are misleading and because they are likely to be misunderstood by anyone who hasn't been or isn't serving on TalkBoard, they will only lead to greater discord.

So my advice is whether defending a friend, defending yourself, or attacking others - let it go.. this is pandora's box.

I realize this is a red flag to some, and likely to only cause another charge, but I'm dead serious - please let this discussion go.

edited to correct spelling..

[This message has been edited by svpii (edited 02-14-2002).]

Personal attacks are never funny and sadly OMNI is not the only forum here where such attacks occur...

Sorry to see you go Punki!

Are you saying there was/is a "personal attack" in this thread, or are you making some kind of general statement?

IMO, the only thing close to a personal attack here is dhammer stating that Punki left TB because she did not win President.

Dorian

I actually had kinda' assumed that Dan was making a bit of a little joke here, and I smiled a bit as well! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Have a great weekend everyone! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Well, if even I missed it (being a former TB member), I'm sure the majority will. If it was a joke of sorts...a wink or two after never hurts.

Dorian

Didn't get a little joke?

That'd be like wondering why the three-ring circus' entire arena audience didn't laugh at the guy who made a silly face in the 4th row.

It's hard to perceive a subtle joke in the shadow of the Talkboard - as it's been to date.

I nominate Premex as Randy's surrogate dictator. Randy can get on with running the company, and the farcical committee stuff can be abandoned.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dorian:
Are you saying there was/is a "personal attack" in this thread, or are you making some kind of general statement?

</font>

I was making some kind of general statement.

After re-reading my post, I recognized that it may have been misunderstood.

While I am fully capable of being sarcastic, the wording in the above post is meant to be read with all honor and sincerity.

Dan

I don't know, Dhammer53, if I were you I would have stuck with humor. Even I thought it was a pretty funny post. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Now as far as "all honor and sincerity" go, that's quite a stretch, unless, of course, you have recently become omnipotent and are more able to discern my motives than I am, and are also able to determine the outcome of events that have yet to happen like the election. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

WOW, if you have actually become omnipotent, I would love to hire you as my investment adviser. Just think, in no time at all I buy a small country of my own. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ideasmilie.gif

I think I'd call my country Tarom, build myself a big old castle http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Central_Europe/Germany/Neuschwanstein/MVC-792F.j pg (http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Central_Europe/Germany/Neuschwanstein/MVC-792F.jpg)
for parties and buy half a dozen 777s of my own to fly me and all my friends to scads of FlyerTalk celebrations all over the world. Wow, I could equip the planes with all the typical Tarom Air luxury equipment, http://perso.wanadoo.fr/puck/tarom/comfort.html , along with a live band, dance floors, a gourmet Weight Watcher Chef who can make fat-free taste decadent, a blind masseur from Bankok, a fabulous wine collection, bunches and bunches of party costumes http://www.2br.de/pix/bilder2/02dancing01.jpg , multiple high-speed internet connections and anything else my little heart desires. YES! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Hey, I am liking this. I really hope you have developed omnipotence. This could turn out to be really, really fun. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 02-16-2002).]

Sorry to read of your decision, Punki, but quite understand in that there is much of life yet to be savored, and we can only hope to participate actively in but a few communities.

Is there a current timetable for this election, by chance? Just wondering, thanks. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doc:
Is there a current timetable for this election, by chance? Just wondering, thanks. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif </font>

You will need to ask somebody who is allowed to comment on the activity of the TB. The gag order i still in effect so I, sadly, cannot comment.

The term "gag order" is an inflammatory term and misrepresents the facts.

The issue in the early days of TalkBoard was about members disclosing other members' positions, or even their own, on topics under discussion until such time as TalkBoard adopted formal policies regarding how the activities of TalkBoard would be disclosed. Would the actual conversations be disclosed? The voting records only? All the motions and discussion topics? Etc. It was not a matter of creating secrecy. It was a matter of acting deliberately and professionally.

As I've stated earlier, Randy made the wise decision to openly post on TownHall the motions, the voting results, etc. I cannot tell you whether the issue has been revisited of if/how/under what circumstances a TalkBoard member is allowed to discuss their own or other members' positions before the topic has been voted on. Goldlust's statement would indicate it has not. But I would suspect that is a matter of priority, and not some sinister agenda. The resignations of several members have caused unfortunate upheavals. Given recent communiques by Randy to us all, I gather this upheaval has caused the TB agendas to be necessarily focused on leadership structure rather than issues.

As others have stated, getting TalkBoard off the ground to a point where it is operating smoothly and able to provide some efficient "voice of the people" function to Randy will be an up and down path for this first term. I suggest we cut them some slack and leave them alone to make this effort. Since Randy is still competently and appropriately at the helm, I see no disruption to accomodating these growing pains.

**********
As is documented on FT's Townhall site ( http://www.flyertalk.com/townhall ), the actual proposal stated:

TalkBoard should enact a "quiet period" meaning that no individual TalkBoard member should publicly discuss either their own or other members' positions on current issues under discussion until the Board has resolved their collective wisdom on the issue of disclosure.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Voting Record:

-Agree: 7 votes
svpii
Rudi
chexfan
Punki
Dorian
BlondeBomber
Randy Petersen

-Disagree: 3 votes
cigarman
tolarianwind
Goldlust

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by svpii:
The term "gag order" is an inflammatory term and misrepresents the facts.
</font>

I admit I have not yet had legal English, however, isn't a gag order something that prohibits one from speaking about a certain issue or number of issues?

Surely that is what this is about.

However, if I did use the wrong term then it was not on purpose, I have zero interest in being "inflammatory" - enough of those bad elements around here....

You have explained quite well what I meant.

It may be only my reaction to it that sees the term as inflammatory.. but it implies to me that someone is keeping TB from talking, as opposed to what I have described.

Thanks, Goldlust...

Yes, the term "gag order" does have a kinda' legal definition. It's essentially an order, as I understand it, that's imposed by a court that effectively restricts the interested parties or their attorneys from commenting about a case that's ongoing in nature.

Of course, I'm not an attorney however! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You just play one on TV.

FewMiles..

Please see:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum132/HTML/000038.html

You know what's nice? Not having to censor myself and my opinions. Here's another one:

While the temptation to conduct political business in secrecy is appealing since it has the potential to cut down on 'dirty politics,' I suspect the TB has relearned the age-old polical lesson that making policy is like making sausage. It's not something you want to see, but something that HAS to be watched carefully.

By conducting business in secret, you have divorced yourself from accountability and your constituency. I finally read the TB and Townhall stuff tonight. I still dont know what the heck you folks are doing, how you're doing it or what it means. Who stands where on what issues? I have no idea. You've also created misunderstandings and suspicion.

What I do know is that some of the most respected FTers have voted with their feet. That I can see. That tells me a heck of a lot more about this whole process then anything else in town hall or anywhere else.

I see that each time a vote was held for president (why is a president even needed on an advisory board???? And, being nitpicky here, when a board elects a leader, (s)he is typically called 'Chairperson' or, in political environments, Prime Minister. "President" implies a direct election by the people/voters/stockholders) the TB member with the most votes resigned soon thereafter. Am I reading the results wrong?

There's another old saw in Washington: Anyone smart enough to be President is smart enough not to run. Or in TB's case, smart enough not to serve????

Ok, enough straightforwardness. I'm going back to satire now.

OBTW, I offer every current and former TB member a beer next time I see you, which I hope I will be soon http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">OBTW, I offer every current and former TB member a beer next time I see you, which I hope I will be soon </font>

Darn lobbyists! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

OBTW Koko,

Do we have to share our beer with you, or do we get our own? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks for the kind offer...

William

The catch is that TB has current members, and it has former members, but it has no one who is "a current and former TB member." So kokonutz is safe!

Only an attorney would have caught that - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Nice catch, law lord http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

No, really. A beer to any current or former TB member.

koko,

I don't eat sausage. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif My rabbi would be upset with me if I did.

Dan (TB member)

DH: Did I ever buy you that beer last night. Suprise, suprise, I can't remember...

Koko,

If you cannot remember, then the obvious answer is "NO, you did not buy me a beer Koko". http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Right Dan?

William