Week Ending: September 14, 2005

A favorable first step was attained in a Colorado Court on September 14^th. This member communication will give a update on that ruling and also supply snippets of valuable and related information that can be found in other pertinent documents found on the Patroller Committee website and elsewhere.

On 31 Aug 05 member counsel filed an action with the Colorado District Court to interpret if the Board must grant a member vote as requested by the Petition. The Court granted a very quick hearing for 14 Sept 05.

At that hearing the Court issued a preliminary injunction directing the Board to suspend all activity relative to the planned NSP Board fall election. This Court ruling was based on the fact that the Court believes that a final hearing on a member vote will likely result in a favorable decision directing that member vote. It is our understanding that the Court directed NSP and member counsel to either work together towards a member vote or direct the Court to interpret if the Board must grant a member vote as requested by the Petition in the next several weeks. For complete details of the court proceeding look for updates on the Eastern Division website, the NSP Member Forum or the Patroller Committee website.

Division Directors Rich Hamlin and Ed Gassman have made efforts to educate members and line officers to the facts and events leading up to September 14 court hearing while adding their own perspective and position.

Rick Hamlin’s September 8th update

Links to Ed Gassman’s Petition Process Update dated September 5 can be found on the PatrollerCommittee.org “Home Page” or our “Division Update” webpage.

These documents are a must read for anyone confused or desiring the latest update concerning the Petition or Petition Process.

Snippet: Did you know that member counsel has offered to include any NSP developed proposals for change within the petition amendment ballot so members can decide what is best, but NSP continues to deny the member vote.

The Central Division just completed their Fall Meeting with guest speakers Bill Sachs and Steve Over. More than 180 members attended the meeting, the largest turn out in recent memory. A bullet point report of the meeting results can be found on the “Division Update” page. Some snippets from that report are:

• Bill Sachs announced he wants to be NSP Chairman until 2008
• Jim Woodrum gave a good report on his promising work with the NSP Governance Committee on the Nomination and Voting Processes; however no work has been done on term limits.
• The NSP nomination committee has completed their efforts and selected the slate of five candidates, for the five Board openings, at the NSP planned fall election. Two of the candidates are not current board members. The candidate names have not been announced.
• When asked if the 4000 petition signers are more than a “small group of disenchanted group of patrollers,” Bill Sachs responded “It’s not a quorum.”

Please read the complete report for additional insight and information.

The Petition process will continue to be run by legal counsel and there is little we as members can do to make a difference in the interpretation of Colorado State law. The National Board of Directors lead by Chairman Bill Sachs is giving direction and input on how far NSP is going to go to prevent the member Petition Amendment Vote and in the adoption of court mandated changes, if and when that should happen.

What you the member can do, is to make an appeal to the Board. The Patroller Committee encourages all members to send the Board a message* and respectfully appeal for responsible representation and to allow the member vote by asking the following:

• How can you (the Board) ignore the people signing the member Petition when you realize that those heavily involved, and promoting and voting for the Amendment effort are the dedicated NSP middle management or Line Organization?
• How can you (the Board) ethically and morally deny members the right to vote on the Amendments when over 4000 members have voted and the line organizations from five NSP Divisions representing approximately 50% of NSP membership have requested one?

The Patroller Committee Team supports the Petition as it opens the door for a fair and balanced debate and change on issues of concern via member elected and responsive board members. An informed and engaged membership is vital as we move forward, so the PC Team will continue our efforts to keep you posted, as we hear news using weekly updates, direct communications to registered PC Members and responding to members!!

Let your voice be heard, write* the Board of Directors and make sure you’ve signed and understand the Petition (if you haven't). Of course reach out to your fellow Patrollers and encourage them to do the same.

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

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