Greetings STF

My name is Matt Bernardin and together with my running mate D Grisham, we are going to outline why we hope you will vote for us to be the next dynamic duo. Let’s get a few things out of the way first. Neither I nor D will avoid or duck any question asked about any topic. We will speak honestly about what we think and why we feel it is the right direction for this club. We refuse to do politician speak, and by that I mean answering in a way that sounds pretty but doesn’t give you any real information.

Both of us are in this election for one reason and one reason only. We have, over the last decade seen the slow and steady trend of leadership that is/was/has been unwilling or unable to see to the necessary changes the club needs to become the success it once was, with a steadily growing membership and long term retention.

In short we are here because we are sick and tired of watching the club lurch about in crisis mode a great deal of the time because it operates using outdated and in some cases the most inefficient methods possible. We currently have approximately 30 government positions (not including Mentors) to administrate a population of 90. That’s a government position for every 3 people in the club. I realise this is a volunteer ONLINE organisation, but this is totally out of proportion to what’s necessary.

We’re running because we believe we have ideas that would make some serious changes to improve club efficiency, satisfaction and some good old fashion fun. If some changes aren’t made, then we may as well all just pack up and call it a day because numbers and enjoyment will continue to fall off.

A lot of you might be skeptical or maybe fearful of the kinds of changes we propose, but remember that you will always have a say in what changes. We don’t want to pound you on the head with something if you, as a club, are not willing to give it a try. But we believe it has been a long time since the members were offered something besides the same solutions to the same problems every term that never end up changing things.

Doing nothing has accomplished exactly that—nothing. Utilising current thinking has done nothing either. As hard as change can be, we have reached a point where in order to make the club more enjoyable, and certainly more attractive to new members and have a longer life, certain changes need to be made. They, at the very least, need to be considered.

So, no quotes, no slogans, no gimmicks (lol that could almost be one in and of itself) just a real conversation. I can’t promise that all our ideas will be good ones, just that we have thought long and hard about the problems the club faces, asked some hard questions and come up with some fairly solid implementable solutions to help turn things around as well as the practical know how to get them done.

Matt/D