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Author Topic: AMSAT - Call for Nominations  (Read 256 times)

K6LCS

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AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« on: May 20, 2021, 09:35:56 AM »

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN
ANS-139

* Call for Nominations – 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors Election

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-139.01
ANS-139 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 139.01
 From AMSAT HQ WASHINGTON, DC
DATE May 19, 2021
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-139.01

Call for Nominations – 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors Election

AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following four incumbent Directors expire in 2021 and will be filled by this year’s election:

Jerry Buxton N0JY
Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA
Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK
Michelle Thompson W5NYV

Further, up to two Alternate Directors may be elected for one-year terms.

A valid nomination for Director must be written and requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT member. Written nominations, with the nominee’s name, call sign, and contact information, as well as the nominators’ names, call signs, and contact information, should be sent to the AMSAT Secretary:

Jeff Davis, KE9V
1909 S. Batavia Avenue
Muncie, IN 47302-2044
ke9v at amsat.org

A copy should be sent to Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, at n8hm at amsat.org.

The AMSAT bylaws require that the nomination be written and in the form specified by the Secretary. The Secretary has elected to accept written nomination materials via mail or in electronic form, including e-mail or electronic image of a paper document. Fax transmissions cannot be accepted.

No matter what means are used, petitions MUST be received by the Secretary no later than June 15th. The Secretary will verify the qualifications of candidates and nominating members or Member Societies as petitions are received, and will notify candidates whether their nominations are in order by the end of June.

[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]

/EX

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. President's Club donations may be made at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-PresClub.

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space,

This week's ANS Contributing Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org

/end/
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2021, 09:45:37 AM »

Cruising the 'Net the past day, I found a couple campaign platforms for
potential board members for our considersation ...

MICHELLE THOMPSON: Told the world yesterday NOT to nominate her, and
that she does not desire a second term. THANK YOU, Michelle, for getting that
word out so quickly.

PATRICK STODDARD: Only thing found so far is that he 100 per cent, wholeheartedly
endorses all the incoherent, vile, despicable, lying online antics of WE4B. That
insures Patrick at least eight votes come election time ...

Clint Bradford K6LCS
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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VE3WGO

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2021, 10:58:25 AM »

are there any other known potential (or confirmed) candidates with platforms?

or is it just those two?

73, Ed
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2021, 06:06:03 PM »

No - per the media alert ...

"AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following four incumbent Directors expire in 2021 and will be filled by this year’s election:

Jerry Buxton N0JY
Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA
Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK
Michelle Thompson W5NYV"


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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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http://www.work-sat.com
909-999-SATS

WE4B

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2021, 02:10:00 PM »

Sigh. I would like to remind people interested in AMSAT-NA that the organization has rules and policies. Sadly, the 'leaders' of the organization refuse to follow these rules and policies. This thread is a perfect example of this. In this thread, we find someone using an AMSAT-NA 'title' that has decided to attack members and Board of Director members of AMSAT-NA. This is, of course, a direct violation of the rules/policies that they are supposed to follow. Here's the rules/policies which an AMSAT-NA Ambassador should follow:



This is what happens when AMSAT-NA members keep electing the same 'dead wood' over and over. You end-up with an organization that is run as a clubhouse that does NOT represent all members. You end-up with an organization that finds itself with a dark cloud hovering over it as memberships drop and donors stop donating. If people want to keep electing those that have caused the organization to go from a 'world-class' organization to one that is viewed with skepticism and disdain, that's up to the members.

This thread simply serves as proof that the 'leaders' of AMSAT-NA will NOT and do NOT enforce the rules/policies of the organization. The ARRL doesn't allow these types of things to happen. Other regional AMSAT groups don't allow this happen. Only AMSAT-NA allows this to happen. They allow it to happen because it keeps a very small group in control of their clubhouse.

What members need to ask those running for office are the following types of questions:

1. Why have the past three satellites put into orbit been failures?
2. Why does the 'leadership' run the organization as a clubhouse?
3. Why won't AMSAT-NA embrace Open Source?
4. Why won't AMSAT-NA enforce rule/policies that are in place to protect members/stakeholders?
5. Why have AMSAT-NA legacy incumbents violated IRS and Washington D.C. Corporate Code?
6. What have legacy, incumbent 'leadership' members done to advance the radio art?

Of course there are many more questions to be asked. It's up to the membership which direction they choose to take when it comes to AMSAT-NA. It's current direction is down with a very dark cloud hanging over it. Although I blame what has happened over the past few years on the legacy leadership, I also blame apathetic members that simply vote based on name recognition. If you choose to vote in this manner, without educating yourself, then you are also part of the problem.

Apathy can/will kill any/all organizations that are operated in this manner. This thread is a perfect example. We have someone with an AMSAT-NA 'title' clearly violating rules/policies of the organization but nothing is done about it. If the 'leaders' can't control something as simple as this, what would make someone think they could control a satellite orbiting the Earth? As it stands, we don't have to worry about the satellites as the last three satellites have been complete failures and before that we had satellites fail and have had NO failure analysis provided to the membership.

If this is what members want, vote for legacy leadership. If members want people that actually care and give a damn, nominate and elect new leadership. It really is that simple.
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WE4B

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2021, 02:16:46 PM »

I can't help but wonder if anyone will nominate 'The Ambassador' or if he will nominate himself as a candidate? It's doubtful. He's the major laughingstock of the organization. The background chatter is hilarious. Folks, just remember, if you have to continuously tell people how great you are... you really aren't :)
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2021, 03:14:20 PM »

Truth is the ultimate defense ... Even if one doesn't like the truth.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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http://www.work-sat.com
909-999-SATS

WE4B

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2021, 04:02:23 PM »

Truth is important. That's why it's important that AMSAT-NA members/stakeholders be educated about what happens under the AMSAT-NA banner. This thread is a perfect example of the truth. We have someone touting an AMSAT-NA 'title' and clearly violating AMSAT-NA rules/policies but the AMSAT-NA 'leadership' simply turns a blind eye and does not follow their own rules and policies. This thread proves that this is true and not just hyperbole.

I can assure everyone that members are not impressed or humored by this type of behavior from 'The Ambassador'. This behavior, however, does provide the truth needed for me to state these claims and have the evidence in which to confirm it.

Truth is always important when making claims and that's why I'm careful not to make any claims in which I cannot backup with irrefutable evidence.

AMSAT-NA just further embarrasses itself by allowing people to have AMSAT-NA 'titles' and to utter things which clearly violate AMSAT-NA rules/policies. This is why AMSAT-NA is viewed as a second rate organization. Can anyone imagine if the ARRL allowed people with ARRL titles to act in this manner. I certainly cannot do so nor have I seen anyone with an ARRL title act in this manner.

As they said on the X Files, "the truth is out there". Members of AMSAT-NA that have voting privileges just have to use these truths and vote appropriately.

Cheers and 73!
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2021, 06:17:06 PM »

>> ... Members of AMSAT-NA that have voting privileges just have to use these truths and vote appropriately.

And they have - placing you dead last in the past two elections.

Why in the world do you think anyone but the people you hear chattering in your head care what you think?

Clint Bradford K6LCS
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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909-999-SATS

WE4B

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2021, 07:07:42 PM »

As you see folks, 'The Ambassador' is not able to have a clear and rational debate. This also stands true for the legacy incumbents. I'll let the AMSAT-NA 'Ambassador' and AMSAT-NA representative continue to violate the rules/policies of the organization here in full view of members/stakeholders. Of course the 'leaders' of the organization don't care. I have calmly and rationally posted some potential questions that should be asked of legacy leadership. Like I said, it's up to the members who will be voting. If they want continued controversies and scandals, they will keep what they have. If they don't, they will nominate and vote-in new blood. Cheers and 73!
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2021, 08:16:01 AM »

>> ... it's up to the members who will be voting ...

That's where you and I differ. I trust the membership to do the right thing - like NOT voting for you the past two elections. You, on the other hand, believe you are some sort of "savior," and think you need educate the masses.

No, buddy, they see right through you. And have voted appropriately. Twice. You're just an insignificant, one-man side-show.

Clint Bradford K6LCS

PS How'd that call to the ARRL go - you know, when you threatened to tell them all about me? I have the ARRL's lead counsel's phone number, if you need it.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2021, 08:26:52 AM by K6LCS »
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W9IQ

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2021, 08:28:40 AM »



- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

WE4B

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2021, 02:37:27 PM »

You, on the other hand, believe you are some sort of "savior," and think you need educate the masses.

Pot. Kettle. Black. :)

Okay... maybe I'll try to explain this in another manner. Let say that you are the owner or manager of a small business. A business that, to stay in business, needs to attract and court a very small, niche group of customers. The customers in this niche are part of a larger niche which is also small. As the owner/manager of this business, you realize that there have been quite a few negative reviews of your business. To put it in real world terms, think of it as a small business that has quite a few negative reviews on Yelp or similar app that allow customers to review the business for the benefit of others (and the business management).

As the business owner/manager, you notice that these negative reviews seem to be increasing, not decreasing. Logically, you would want to promote your business to those in the niche so you hire employees. Some of these employees are tasked with being brand ambassadors for the business. During the onboarding process of your new employees, they are given an employee handbook along with rules and policies of the business. These rules and policies are meant to ensure that these employees present your business to your customers in the best possible light and that anyone that may be a potential customer is treated with respect. These new employees are required to sign an acknowledgement stating that they are aware of these rules and policies.

Some of the new employees are tasked with running the day to day operations of the business and some of the employees are sent out into the world to generate new business and to protect existing business. You have high hopes for these employees even though you realize that a couple of them were 'borderline' hires but you hired them because nobody else wanted to work for you and your company due to negative reviews they had read about your business.

A few of these new employees do a good job. They do the best they can with the resources they have available to them. However... at least one of your new hires goes rogue. They are not and will not follow(ing) the rules and policies you provided to them during their onboarding process. You see continued negative reviews of this employee on social media. These negative reviews come from a wide cross section of your very small, niche, customer base. You, as an owner/manager, choose to look away and pretend you don't see these negative reviews. This employee continues to harass customers both online and in real life. You continue to choose to do nothing.

You, as the owner/manager, see the negative reviews on sites such as Yelp continuing to accrue. Your customer base continues to see these negative reviews and more & more customers are writing negative reviews. Your business doesn't grow. You pretend to not know why. You know that, ultimately, you have to answer to the customers or your business will continue to suffer. This is what happens every day to businesses in the real world. Businesses have to attract and retain customers. In the business world, there are only two positions... you are either in sales or sales support. Without sales, businesses die. That's a simple, harsh fact.

One thing to understand about this business of which you are the owner/manager. The products/service that you provide to customers is not unique. In fact, the product(s) you offer are less in quantity than your competitor and the service(s) you offer can be found elsewhere for free. It's critically important that you differentiate your company from others and do so in a manner that doesn't alienate potential customers.

So... a year or two after sending your new hires/brand ambassadors out into the world, the negative reviews continue to arrive. Not just from one disgruntled customer but from customers all over the world. All the negative reviews share a common theme. What do you, as the business owner/manager do? Do you continue to operate as you have been while negative reviews accumulate critiquing your business and your employees or do you relieve your employees of their responsibilities and opt to go in a different direction?

This is all hypothetical but it gives a good view of AMSAT-NA in it's current form. It receives negative reviews, which all share a common theme, from many people around the world. It has brand 'Ambassadors' that don't follow the rules/policies to which they agreed when they were hired.

I've posted this earlier in this thread but I'll do it again. These are the rules/policies which 'Ambassadors' are supposed to follow:



As evidenced in this thread, we can all (the entire amateur radio world) can see that AMSAT-NA has an 'Ambassador' that isn't following rules/polices. In this thread we can all (the entire amateur radio world) can see that the 'leaders' of AMSAT-NA do not stop their 'Ambassador' from breaking rules/policies and, as I related in my example above, continue on with business as usual.

If you were new to amateur radio satellites and read negative views from many people, all sharing a common theme and noted that AMSAT-NA allows it's titled representatives to harass and berate members/stakeholders would you be excited about supporting AMSAT-NA?

As I also mentioned above, AMSAT-NA has less products (satellites) to offer than other spacecraft owners and AMSAT-NA doesn't offer any services that can't be obtained elsewhere for free. It's not a really good business model when you stop and think about it, is it? What can be done to improve the AMSAT-NA brand? It's simple. AMSAT-NA needs new leadership that is responsive and welcoming to all amateur radio operators and stakeholders of amateur radio. AMSAT-NA needs to change the way it is viewed by outsiders. It is viewed as a clubhouse and is well known for attacking members which disagree with the government of the organization. Rather than attack members, AMSAT-NA should have leaders that will listen to criticism and react appropriately. Sending out an 'Ambassador' to harass and attack people is not the way to change the way the amateur radio world views AMSAT-NA. AMSAT-NA leaders need to be open and transparent and hold town hall meeting with the membership. The bylaws of the organization don't require it but they also don't keep it from happening. Something as simple as this would give a sense of transparency about the organization.

So, if you were a business owner/manager, how would you operate your business? Would it be like the way AMSAT-NA is operated or would you be creative, welcoming and innovative in an attempt to capture new business and retain the business that you have? It's a simple question. The only people that can change the way AMSAT-NA is currently operated are those that can nominate new leadership and to vote them into power. Without that happening, it will just be business as usual.
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K6LCS

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2021, 03:09:52 PM »

I don't take business advise from someone who cannot keep himself out of personal bankruptcy court, and also has to beg online for money for a friend's kids' ham radio equipment.

But that's just me ... others may disagree.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
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W9IQ

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Re: AMSAT - Call for Nominations
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2021, 04:09:57 PM »



- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.
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