Week Ending: October 19, 2005

Are you aware there will be an NSP member vote in the coming days?

Why Will We Be Voting Soon?

• NSP is a Colorado Non-Profit Corporation
• For over 50 years the NSP was run by the elected Division Directors
• In 2002 the NSP Board eliminated Member Rights and elected representation
• Today the NSP Board effectively nominates and elects itself
• In June 2005 the Board extended the longstanding 6 year term limit to 9 years and 15 years for the Chairman – to keep themselves in office
• 5 of 10 geographic Divisions and almost 5000 Patrollers petitioned for a Member vote to change this flawed and undemocratic system
• If the amendment vote passes, the Board will lose some control and be accountable to Membership as elected officials. As you might expect, the Board is fighting this Member vote.
• On September 14, 2005 a Colorado Court issued an injunction against the NSP Board – stopping the existing Board election process and giving time for the Member amendment vote.

• The addition of the following amendments* to the Articles of Incorporation to prevent this type of abuse in the future
  • Nomination – The elected Division Directors will be the nominating committee
  • One vote one patroller – Patrollers actually vote for candidates
  • Term limits returned to original 6 years
  • Member Rights – Board cannot change nomination process, election process or term limits without a member vote.
• This is consistent with the Court’s position. NSP belongs to the dues paying Members, NOT the National Board.
• Unfortunately, the National Board and its supporters are opposing this vote and spreading misleading information – so we thought it important you have the facts.
• Even if you have no desire to get involved in National issues, this will allow anyone who wants to be involved.

The Member Group comprised of the five NSP divisions (Eastern, Europe, Intermountain, Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain) have sponsored the amendment effort and Petition votes from members in every division have made the upcoming vote possible. As you prepare for the vote, you may have some questions about each amendment. As an aid, the Patroller Committee created two documents that may be helpful.

These documents can be found on the Home and the Documents page of the Patroller Committee website (PatrollerCommittee.org) along with valuable additional information and insight. The Eastern Division website, NSPeast, is also a great resource for information.

• Become an informed voter and VOTE
• Share this information
• Encourage your fellow patrollers to vote regardless of their position.
• Make sure your NSP email and home address are correct at NSP

Working for NSP Membership . . . . . The PC Team

Nomination Process Add to Article V To enhance communication among Division Directors and provide maximum access for working patrollers, the Division Directors will be the nominating committee for Board of Director vacancies in a manner provided for in the Bylaws. There will be more nominees than there are positions to fill to allow members a choice.

Election Process Add to Article V Election will be by member direct vote on ballots delivered to each active member in a manner provided for in the Bylaws. The nominees receiving the most votes will fill the available vacancies. There is no minimum quorum for member voting.

Term of Office Add to Article VI Six (6) years total term limit for members on the National Board including the time as Chairman.

Member Rights Add to Article IV The Board of Directors may not change quorum requirements, nomination process, election process, or term of office without a vote of the members.

* Messages can be easily sent to the Board by utilizing the “Send a Message to National” capability on Patrollercommittee.org.