Elections

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Noah M
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Elections

Post by Noah M »

It’s that time again; chapter officer nominations and elections. Each chapter is required to have at minimum a President and a International Board Member. The President also has IB privileges, making two elected positions with IB privileges. There are many other positions available, including Vice President, Secretary, Conservation Officer, and Education Specialist.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I’ll do my best to answer them in a timely manner.
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Noah M
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Re: Elections

Post by Noah M »

Anybody?
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: Elections

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Before we jump on the nominations, do we have any self-nominations (i.e. does anyone want to volunteer?)

-Josh
simus343
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Re: Elections

Post by simus343 »

What all is involved with the Education Specialist role? I have almost 5 years of experience working with herp education with the general public in NW Fla, particularly Walton county and the immediately adjacent counties. However, I'm also currently a full time student with a part time job, so I'd require a full list of responsibilities for the role before I could come anywhere close to volunteering for this. I'd have to see how much time I have available.
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Re: Elections

Post by Josh Holbrook »

That'd be great; from the bylaws:


Education Specialist:

E. Shall be responsible for setting up field outings for the chapter and assisting members in data collection. The Education Specialist will also be responsible for public education and outreach for his/her chapter if the chapter deems this action necessary.




I should note, if someone wants to step up and do the president's role, feel free. I don't have much time, and I'm protective of the time I do have, so if there's someone who has the time, experience isn't necessary. Although, we did get some good stuff done this year, most notably some good education and data collection during Salamania.
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: Elections

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I nominate Simus for ed specialist, if he's willing. Sounds like he's already doing lots of education.
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mtratcliffe
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Re: Elections

Post by mtratcliffe »

I didn't mind serving as VP this past year, and would consider running again if I weren't going to be deployed through April, but one thing I wish NAFHA (or even our chapter) had was more guidelines for what each elected official should be doing. Maybe it's because I'm in the military and I'm used to have my roles and responsibilities spelled out in regulation, but there were never any matters to vote on in the International Board that I recall, and I couldn't attend our chapter meet. Best I could do was meet with Noah and David (double d) for a full day of herping. With that much time passing without much to do as VP, I felt there was more I should be doing, but that wasn't really the case.

I like NAFHA, but it's a little too informal if you asked me, though that may be part of the appeal for some. I think it could benefit from a clearer vision (what Noah has been working towards) and better accountability, but consensus seems hard to come by, if a vote is even held at all.
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Re: Elections

Post by simus343 »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:I nominate Simus for ed specialist, if he's willing. Sounds like he's already doing lots of education.
Right now I've got a huge end of the college semester work/study load on my mind so I feel too busy currently. I'm tentative though, because ideally next semester I'll work to get ahead on my work. Feel being the operative word, in a few weeks I'll feel like I have all the time in the world as I'm deciding whether or not to herp for salamanders and brave the cold Florida weather :lol:.

It would help if I know a little more specifically what I'd be getting into. I don't want to volunteer then go "oh crap, this is too much".

As far as "setting up field outings", is that like the yearly chapter outing (salamania this year, ANF last year) or...?

Assisting with data collection - does this mean
- "I'm doing a study on species X, I need help finding them, can you go looking and help collect voucher data for my research" (academic/research/education)
or
- "What is the best method to use for finding species X?"

Public education/out reach
- First off do we deem is necessary?
- What scale would we do this as?
- How many of these events would we shoot to do per year if we deemed them necessary?
- Would the goal be: general awareness of your surroundings when outside (snakes are good for environment, they leave you alone if you leave them alone), good herping practice, or the obvious combo of both?
- Venue? State/National Parks, State/National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, schools?

Again, I'm trying to get a scope of how much there is to do, so I can see how much time I might have to spend doing this. Also next semester one of my classes happens to be "work experience" during which I'll be doing local-to-me herpetology education anyhow.
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Noah M
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Re: Elections

Post by Noah M »

Whoops, this wasn't supposed to get posted.
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: Elections

Post by Josh Holbrook »

I think the important thing to remember with many of the people here in the SE Chapter is that most of the people here see NAFHA as a way to be social, meet new herpers, and see cool finds - and though we're all passionate about conserving herps, that's probably not what keeps us checking the forum every day, or even posting on NAFHA. I see this actually as a good thing, because it means we don't take ourselves too seriously, and because of that we get along better than most of the other chapter. One of (if not the) biggest inhibitors of herpers getting together and getting stuff accomplished is undoubtedly 'herpers ego'; I think because we're here mostly for fellowship and don't take ourselves so seriously we have been able to avoid this problem quite well - when a big ego'd herper shows up, we ooh and ahh at their pictures, smile and nod, and pretty soon the big ego leaves because there either isn't enough drama for him, or everyone doesn't worship their every step. Ironically, the people from the SE that complain about FHF and NAFHA on facebook tend to be the people with the biggest senses of self importance...

Matt - I understand your wanting a more structured, well-defined role. Unfortunately the way NAFHA is now there aren't a lot of people who are very committed to it time-wise. That includes me, and I'm completely OK with that - I have other priorities (God, family, job, my own professional development/herp research, etc.) that take up most of my time, but I do have a precious little time to devote to NAFHA, which has mostly been organizing herp trips and permitting, and education on these trips (basically, getting as many of us as possible to join together, have a good time, be awed by some herps, and educate the public.) The way I see it, even if we can get officers that have that minimum level of commitment, that will suffice; and obviously it would be better if we can have people who are willing to do more, but what, exactly, they do is open to the individual persons' desires for the office (hopefully within the bylaws guidelines.) I know it doesn't sound ideal, but it keeps places like the SE Chapter around, which we all enjoy and have benefited from, in the absence of extremely involved leaders; but still leaves things open for those involved leaders to come. So if you still want to be VP, but can't do anything until April, I'd say that's fine (especially if there's no other volunteers.)

Simus - I don't think anyone in the SE chapter has resigned because they've been overworked. Any burden we place is usually self-imposed. Yes, the field outings would mostly involve organizing a field trip like our yearly chapter outings. I personally would like to keep Salamania going, so adding another destination every year would be cool.

On assisting with Data Collection, I can't think of a practical application of that because none has yet arisen... One way you could do that it by posting occasional updates of the SE chapter's activities on H.E.R.P., etc. perhaps starting a 'contest thread' to see who can put in more records. But all of these are 'if you want to' scenarios.

On education/outreach - in the past we've done this by putting on an educational program in the area we're herping. We've done this in the past at DeSoto State Park on our Alabama trip (that was a blast, BTW), and again this year at South Mtns State Park in NC. We would've probably done it in ANF and ENP too, if there had been a easier venue to do it in.

Noah - Perhaps you should nominate yourself for president this year and effect change on the our Chapter level; seems like a much more do-able scenario, especially given that we have mostly civil and good-natured people in the SE chapter.
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Noah M
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Re: Elections

Post by Noah M »

I typed my rant up, and then thought I backed off from it without posting it because I sounded like a cranky old man. But I guess I hit the wrong button. Oops.

I'm entering into the last year of my degree and I've announced elsewhere I will not be seeking re-election as IC. I'm not ready to commit to being a chapter president either. I'm trying to remove as many responsibilities as I can so I can focus on writing my dissertation.

That being said, should I have free time to devote to NAFHA, then I will, but I am not going to make any promises.
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: Elections

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

James Jeffery has been committed to NAFHA for years. He's knowledgeable and he travels to events. If he's willing, I think he'd make a great officer.
simus343
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Re: Elections

Post by simus343 »

Josh Holbrook wrote:
Simus - I don't think anyone in the SE chapter has resigned because they've been overworked. Any burden we place is usually self-imposed. Yes, the field outings would mostly involve organizing a field trip like our yearly chapter outings. I personally would like to keep Salamania going, so adding another destination every year would be cool.

On assisting with Data Collection, I can't think of a practical application of that because none has yet arisen... One way you could do that it by posting occasional updates of the SE chapter's activities on H.E.R.P., etc. perhaps starting a 'contest thread' to see who can put in more records. But all of these are 'if you want to' scenarios.

On education/outreach - in the past we've done this by putting on an educational program in the area we're herping. We've done this in the past at DeSoto State Park on our Alabama trip (that was a blast, BTW), and again this year at South Mtns State Park in NC. We would've probably done it in ANF and ENP too, if there had been a easier venue to do it in.
Well, I just found out my GPA won't go down the toilet if I don't do so well in an elective class that I'm in right now - that takes a load of my stress; so, I will volunteer for Education Specialist.
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Re: Elections

Post by Coluber Constrictor »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:James Jeffery has been committed to NAFHA for years. He's knowledgeable and he travels to events. If he's willing, I think he'd make a great officer.
.
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: Elections

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

Thanks for responding, James. You do a lot of good whether you are in an office or not. And I totally get not wanting an office.
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mtratcliffe
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Re: Elections

Post by mtratcliffe »

Josh Holbrook wrote:
Matt - I understand your wanting a more structured, well-defined role. Unfortunately the way NAFHA is now there aren't a lot of people who are very committed to it time-wise. That includes me, and I'm completely OK with that - I have other priorities (God, family, job, my own professional development/herp research, etc.) that take up most of my time, but I do have a precious little time to devote to NAFHA, which has mostly been organizing herp trips and permitting, and education on these trips (basically, getting as many of us as possible to join together, have a good time, be awed by some herps, and educate the public.) The way I see it, even if we can get officers that have that minimum level of commitment, that will suffice; and obviously it would be better if we can have people who are willing to do more, but what, exactly, they do is open to the individual persons' desires for the office (hopefully within the bylaws guidelines.) I know it doesn't sound ideal, but it keeps places like the SE Chapter around, which we all enjoy and have benefited from, in the absence of extremely involved leaders; but still leaves things open for those involved leaders to come. So if you still want to be VP, but can't do anything until April, I'd say that's fine (especially if there's no other volunteers.)


Noah - Perhaps you should nominate yourself for president this year and effect change on the our Chapter level; seems like a much more do-able scenario, especially given that we have mostly civil and good-natured people in the SE chapter.
Good points, Josh. How do you view your past year as Chapter President? Also, I agree that the SE Chapter is among the more actives chapters and is essentially devoid of any drama (that seems to be reserved for the main board; never did understand how things there blow up so quickly). Hopefully all the meet ups have been the same way, though corralling a bunch of naturally-independent herpers can't be easy.

My one challenge to NAFHA would be to determine a way to measure success, one that asks "Are we doing what we should be as an organization?" It is heavily-driven at the individual level, and the Chapters are more of just a way of breaking down the forums by geographic region and facilitating meet-ups. Like any organization, it requires people who want to be involved and active in order to be successful. It's really the graciousness and initiative of a few individuals (not all of them elected officials) that keep things tied together. These are people NAFHA can't afford to lose, or else these forums are nothing more than picture-sharing venues.
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Noah M
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Re: Elections

Post by Noah M »

Just a friendly reminder that elections need to be held this month.
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: Elections

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Alright folks, I'm pretty busy at the moment, but are there any other nominations. We still need a VP nomination and a IB nomination. If there's no other President nominations, I'll nominate myself again, but I'd rather not.


Dan Dye - Want to do the VP slot this year?
simus343
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Re: Elections

Post by simus343 »

Any updates on this? I'm looking but don't see anything.
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