behind closed doors

to tom seim.. your points are on the mark. The issue of "behind closed doors " is crucial and a root cause of the current problem.

Today and tomorrow the board, Which has already announced its intention of resigning ( at least the chair and excom) is meeting to " address the issues" ( per 9-25 note). They announced that they have hired a replacement cfo. They have BORROWED a significant amount of money from the trust fund. They are silent on the issue of seeking reimbursement from insurance company.

and much more..

Basically, a LAME DUCK ( by her own satement) chair is leading an effort to address issues ( which i take to mean to make decisions) which will probably restructure the SSA. The problem is major, so the decisions will probably have to be major. The decision to borrow from the trust was a major decision.

I believe that it is not only arrogant, but improper for this board to make any decisions that will bind the society at this time.

A very thin case could be made for them meeting to discuss and to identify possibly courses of actions and restructuring alternatives for presentation to the membership.

BUT NOT TO MAKE BINDING RESTRUCTURING DECISIONS which could be tainted by conflict of interest .

The fact that they announced the hiring of a new cfo is a perfect example. The SSA now PROBABLY ( depending upon the terms of his employement contract) has an obligation to this guy which will bind us in the future.. This board DECIDED that the model going forward requires a cfo.. DOES IT REALLY???
is there another business model that could be implimented that would save the 100k or so that this guy will cost us each year??? did they consider outsourcing seriously???
were alternatives presented to members for discussion and approval??

The board had several options when confronted with the problem. They chose to "manage" the problem in closed session and to make important policy decisions on our behalf. This board is tainted by past bad judgement, in conflict and, in my opinion, should not be making decisions that bind the ssa into the future. Especially in a hurry and behind closed doors.
What was the behind closed doors reasoning behind hiring an attorney suggested by the accountants who were a part of this situation? why did the board not hire an impartial auditor to do the forensic accounting? To save money?? that sounds like familar reasoning..

What i believe is that we really have a large group of well intentioned volunteer directors who are geographically distant from one another and from the action. What i believe is that the excom is working on something which they will present for approval to the rest of the board. A closed meeting, that preceeds a closed meeting. This MAY be ok when things are running smoothly, but is absolutly NOT OK during a period of trauma which demands major changes that will impact the membership.