Post by jjspaur on Jul 31, 2009 16:24:27 GMT -5
Friday, July 31, 2009
Since I missed two BOD meetings and have just now had an opportunity to read the minutes from each meeting, I’m a little taken back by the content of those minutes. OK ……let’s kill the monsters while their young and get back on track, as the minutes indicate some substantial misconceptions and a membership that needs information.
1) Ms. Kaniu Kinimaka-Stocksdale was granted a trial period as an independent contractor, assuming the position of General Manager on an interim basis. This was done partially on advice of legal council and after deliberation in Executive Session (where all legal and employee matters are to be discussed by law). If you’re not on the BOD, then you weren’t there and criticism without the facts serves no purpose as other protocol and potential legal issues arises: any discussions held in Executive Session are confidential. That is actually done for the protection of the entire membership and any individuals affected.
2) The criterion used by the BOD (immediate stability) was applied to a temporary situation and involved common sense, not some pages from an HR guidebook, position description or committee analysis paralysis. After a real nightmare situation and a state of near chaos, stability was the order of the day. The BOD acted appropriately and within the scope of the Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order by executing the change. As it turns out, not only do we have stability, we have seen more that an incremental gain in operating efficiency, financial reporting, management reporting, and employee accountability. I remind you once again, that this is only a temporary arrangement and when permanence becomes the agenda, then all current guidelines will be followed to accomplish the task of making the position permanent.
3) The membership needs to be aware that just a couple of months ago we had an accounting system that was disabled via potential sabotage. An inherent flaw in past protocol and procedure was eliminated; that of the same person writing checks being in control of the accounting system (General Manger). Another sound management decision was made to bring in quality professionals to assist in the re-establishment of accurate financial reporting for HPPOA. Both the software recovery specialist and bookkeeper we brought in are individuals known by be and many other Hawaii business professionals. To insinuate that some inappropriate process was used or that it was an “insider conspiracy” is ludicrous. Again, no committee or analysis by other outside individuals was needed, as the situation called for another business decision and immediate, decisive action. The end result is the cleanest, most accurate accounting system HPPOA has ever had. End of story
4) To contend that the General Manager does not have responsibility for financial management is way off base. The position still has audit responsibility and accountability. The General Manager along with the Treasurer and entire BOD now audit the financials, with a neutral third party doing the input. Not only is this a more solid process, it was validated by legal council and our CPA as a more sound business practice to protect HPPOA members.
5) An apology from the BOD is due the entire membership for some of the material distributed via the recent Conch newsletter. I will be seeking to implement substantial changes that will eliminate anything but accurate information and disallow any use by unauthorized individuals to give the appearance that they represent the HPPOA. No more National Enquirer sensationalism. This valuable member communication tool should never be allowed to promote individual agendas or further misrepresentations and divisiveness. As a BOD we have dropped the ball by not stepping up to the plate to guaranty an unbiased form of communication vital to our membership. This will be done.
6) Obvious clean up and rethinking needs to occur in regards to BOD appointed committees and their goals / functions. It seems that we are back to the “let’s go to the office and disrupt their environment and workflow” so we can do things that aren’t even related to a committee assignment or function. That’s has to stop. Again, the accountability from the BOD is to provide service to the membership via committee assistance. If and when a committee or individual becomes contrary to that premise, it is the BOD duty to eliminate the problem.
7) The membership deserves and will be provided any and all information needed. That is an absolute mandate to the BOD. A member owned entity is nothing more than a collective of people who deserve a full accounting of the plans and actions of the of the collective and those members or others that manage the entity on behalf of the collective. To that end , open access to all relevant data for our membership and how it’s communicated on a timely and accurate basis will be the charge of the BOD for this next quarter. This has to be web based to reach the most membership in the least amount of time. In my very humble opinion, that is where we need the community to get involved, especially those individuals who are already familiar with the platforms.
8) Whatever controversy existed on the recent ballot sent to our membership and counting of those ballots should now be addressed. The League of Women Voters was directed to count votes until today, thereby allowing the most amount of ballots possible to counted. In review, the mandated 600 votes were received by the original deadline, but due to delays in receipt of many ballots the extension to today was viewed as the most logical and prudent way to proceed.
While public debate is always welcomed and actually encouraged, we all need to move beyond the “picking the specks out of the fly doo doo” and tackle the big picture subjects. This also can and should be done respectfully and based on facts, never conjecture from invalid sources or opinions of others who serve no other purpose than to have their “ fifteen minutes of fame” at our expense. Help this member owned move forward in the most positive way possible. We are all responsible for that
I’m in hopes that this will clarify some of the subjects that are of great concern to all of us. There are no secrets or conspiracies, just opportunities to share the truth. You may not like the answers, but as a member owner you have the right to know.
Aloha,
Jeff J. Spaur
As HPPOA President
Since I missed two BOD meetings and have just now had an opportunity to read the minutes from each meeting, I’m a little taken back by the content of those minutes. OK ……let’s kill the monsters while their young and get back on track, as the minutes indicate some substantial misconceptions and a membership that needs information.
1) Ms. Kaniu Kinimaka-Stocksdale was granted a trial period as an independent contractor, assuming the position of General Manager on an interim basis. This was done partially on advice of legal council and after deliberation in Executive Session (where all legal and employee matters are to be discussed by law). If you’re not on the BOD, then you weren’t there and criticism without the facts serves no purpose as other protocol and potential legal issues arises: any discussions held in Executive Session are confidential. That is actually done for the protection of the entire membership and any individuals affected.
2) The criterion used by the BOD (immediate stability) was applied to a temporary situation and involved common sense, not some pages from an HR guidebook, position description or committee analysis paralysis. After a real nightmare situation and a state of near chaos, stability was the order of the day. The BOD acted appropriately and within the scope of the Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order by executing the change. As it turns out, not only do we have stability, we have seen more that an incremental gain in operating efficiency, financial reporting, management reporting, and employee accountability. I remind you once again, that this is only a temporary arrangement and when permanence becomes the agenda, then all current guidelines will be followed to accomplish the task of making the position permanent.
3) The membership needs to be aware that just a couple of months ago we had an accounting system that was disabled via potential sabotage. An inherent flaw in past protocol and procedure was eliminated; that of the same person writing checks being in control of the accounting system (General Manger). Another sound management decision was made to bring in quality professionals to assist in the re-establishment of accurate financial reporting for HPPOA. Both the software recovery specialist and bookkeeper we brought in are individuals known by be and many other Hawaii business professionals. To insinuate that some inappropriate process was used or that it was an “insider conspiracy” is ludicrous. Again, no committee or analysis by other outside individuals was needed, as the situation called for another business decision and immediate, decisive action. The end result is the cleanest, most accurate accounting system HPPOA has ever had. End of story
4) To contend that the General Manager does not have responsibility for financial management is way off base. The position still has audit responsibility and accountability. The General Manager along with the Treasurer and entire BOD now audit the financials, with a neutral third party doing the input. Not only is this a more solid process, it was validated by legal council and our CPA as a more sound business practice to protect HPPOA members.
5) An apology from the BOD is due the entire membership for some of the material distributed via the recent Conch newsletter. I will be seeking to implement substantial changes that will eliminate anything but accurate information and disallow any use by unauthorized individuals to give the appearance that they represent the HPPOA. No more National Enquirer sensationalism. This valuable member communication tool should never be allowed to promote individual agendas or further misrepresentations and divisiveness. As a BOD we have dropped the ball by not stepping up to the plate to guaranty an unbiased form of communication vital to our membership. This will be done.
6) Obvious clean up and rethinking needs to occur in regards to BOD appointed committees and their goals / functions. It seems that we are back to the “let’s go to the office and disrupt their environment and workflow” so we can do things that aren’t even related to a committee assignment or function. That’s has to stop. Again, the accountability from the BOD is to provide service to the membership via committee assistance. If and when a committee or individual becomes contrary to that premise, it is the BOD duty to eliminate the problem.
7) The membership deserves and will be provided any and all information needed. That is an absolute mandate to the BOD. A member owned entity is nothing more than a collective of people who deserve a full accounting of the plans and actions of the of the collective and those members or others that manage the entity on behalf of the collective. To that end , open access to all relevant data for our membership and how it’s communicated on a timely and accurate basis will be the charge of the BOD for this next quarter. This has to be web based to reach the most membership in the least amount of time. In my very humble opinion, that is where we need the community to get involved, especially those individuals who are already familiar with the platforms.
8) Whatever controversy existed on the recent ballot sent to our membership and counting of those ballots should now be addressed. The League of Women Voters was directed to count votes until today, thereby allowing the most amount of ballots possible to counted. In review, the mandated 600 votes were received by the original deadline, but due to delays in receipt of many ballots the extension to today was viewed as the most logical and prudent way to proceed.
While public debate is always welcomed and actually encouraged, we all need to move beyond the “picking the specks out of the fly doo doo” and tackle the big picture subjects. This also can and should be done respectfully and based on facts, never conjecture from invalid sources or opinions of others who serve no other purpose than to have their “ fifteen minutes of fame” at our expense. Help this member owned move forward in the most positive way possible. We are all responsible for that
I’m in hopes that this will clarify some of the subjects that are of great concern to all of us. There are no secrets or conspiracies, just opportunities to share the truth. You may not like the answers, but as a member owner you have the right to know.
Aloha,
Jeff J. Spaur
As HPPOA President