Thoughts on the Proposed Governance Changes

Let me start out by stating that it is a well known and proven fact that any business or organization which wishes to continue growing must at some point implement changes or they are doomed to eventual failure.

What is critical though is that any contemplated changes are well researched, well thought through, discussed with those being directly affected by the change(s) and well monitored for effectiveness. I have elsewhere on this website stated my experience and qualifications with corporate change implementation.

Many of you have written public or restricted circulation papers, letters, e-mails and comments. As a candidate I am usually not copied but on occasion become privy to the information circulated. Some of you have actually talked to me in person, or called me by phone, or e-mailed me to discuss concerns and questions. I appreciated that. If you have not availed yourself of discussing your questions, concerns or comments with me, please contact me any time at dwagenknecht@comcast.net, 847-735-0915 (home) or 847-431-3016 (mobile).

As a member of the Board of Directors 2006 – 2008 I was on the Board during most of the initial and early discussions with consultants, the Board members and you, the Toastmasters. Many of your concerns were considered in making major changes from the initial ideas such as not implementing District level governance changes at this time, or reducing three regional advisors to only one, sort of a pilot stage approach. Thus I am familiar with the early development of the proposed changes. Obviously, the final version was done by the 2008/2009 Board.

The proposal coming up for a vote in August truly has many very positive aspects, but like most policy changes it also has some questionable proposals. Personally, I think it would be advantageous if we could break it into a few segments for voting purposes.

Personally, and from discussions with may of you, there is no question that we need to change the regional structure to include the ever expanding membership of what today is known as the DNARs. I voiced that need already in 2005 while campaigning for International Director.

Other aspects of the proposed governance plan, as I already stated, are more controversial. However, I have noted that some of the expressed concerns are based on incomplete information or even miss-information. While Headquarters and the sitting Directors have tried to provide as much information as possible, there still is much work to be done during the regional conferences and up to the international convention to clarify some of the more detailed aspects.

As Third Vice President one of my highest priorities will be to keep listening to the membership and to monitor any implemented changes very carefully for imperfections or flaws. Nothing is perfect, and we need to have the courage to recognize shortcomings and fix them or, if necessary even totally modify them.

I am fully convinced that we need change, but I am equally cognizant that we ultimately want a governance system and policies that meets the needs of the individual member. Let us all work together for a common goal in the best possible way to make this an even greater organization than what we are today.