On Fri, 25 Jun 1999 23:38:02 Steve Cooper wrote to the 3000-L:

> Subject:              Interex: Is it all over already?

> Digging on the password protected Interex site, I found the minutes of
> the last board meeting.  This page is not linked from the "election"
> area.  If I read it right, then it's already passed.  It's too late.
> The whole ballot is a scam.
>
> Am I reading something wrong?  Is this legal?  Can they do this?
>
> Quoting from: http://www.interex.org/inside/securemem/299min.html
<snip>

> It was over on June 15, but no one got a ballot before June 20!

The most recent minutes to which Steve Cooper refers cover a Board meeting in
February and reference motions to reduce the valid election requirement from
10% of the membership to 4% and to allow a member to serve two consecutive
terms on the board before being barred. These were changes that could be made
by the board by passing the motion and publishing the decision. If one or more
members do not agree with the board's decision and collect signatures of 2% of
the membership within 45 days, then the motion goes to the vote of the
entire membership. The motions and the appeal process were publizied in the
minutes and InterexPress. No signatures were forwarded to the Board during the
45 day period.

> Also, does anyone know and will Interex tell us how many signatures
> are needed to constitute 2% of the active Basic membership?

There are currently approximately 6000+ voting members.  Another 1500+
subscribe to Interex services but are not called members because they are
"members" of National User Groups in Europe and do not vote.

> I no longer smell a rat.  The whole thing stinks to high heaven.
> We have been disenfranchised by our own organization.
>
> If I'm right on this, then I call for the immediate resignation of any
> board member that voted for this amendment and participated in this
> coverup.  You have acted against the best interest of the members that
> you represent.
>
> (The actual vote on this amendment is missing from the minutes, so
> there is no way of telling how the actual vote went.)

On almost every major decision made by the nine Boards I have experienced at
Interex, an enormous effort was invested in working an issue until consensus
was achieved. The Board has acted with the best of intentions with the
information at hand from 40+ members in four focus groups, member, past member,
and prospective member surveys to 2000+ people, 40+ volunteers, HP input (or
lack thereof), and financial projections.

If a sufficient number of members do not agree with the Boards proposal, then
the motion will not pass, five new members will get elected to the Board this
fall and the new Board will have to deal with the same viability and relevancy
issues faced by the current Board.

> Steve Cooper
> Active Basic Member
> Member since 1977, although Interex shows me as member since 24 Jan
> 1984.

I will get your record changed.

Chuck Piercey
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Chuck Piercey                          Interex
Executive Director                     Ph: 408.743.4601
e-mail: [log in to unmask]            Ph: 800.interex (463.3739)
http://www.interex.org                 FAX: 408.747.0947
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