[SJAAboard] Term Limits for President

[Rob Hawley]

Mark's message was the first time he expressed an interest in term limits.  I
thought I would check to see what the history was

Gerry Rattley       <-  1980
Kevin Medlock    	1980 - 1981
Denni Frerichs   	1981 - 1983
David Ambrose    	1983 - 1985
David Fingerhut   1985 - 1987
Tom Ahl         	1987 - 1991  (4 years)
Jack Zeiders	1991 - 1994  (4 years split)
Bob Brauer		1994 - 1997
Jack Zeiders	1997 - 1998
Ed Erbeck		1998 - 1999
Dave North		1999 - 2001
Mike Koop		2001 - 2007  (6 years)
Rob Hawley		2007 - ?

Thus Mike's term was longer than most, but and this is a big BUT, he ready to
leave as early as 2005.  He only relucantly took the job in 2006 since I would
not.  In 2007 he said he was finished and I had no choice. Thus a lack of
candidates was a major factor in extending his tenure.

The president's job is much more work than may be apparent to most board
members.  If you also had a greater than full time job as Mike did then it is a
burnout job.  I can manage the workload better since I work for myself. I have
also stressed dividing the workload more than Mike did.

In my mind a more important question than length of tenure is what is the
relationship between the president and the board.  The president works for the
board and not vice versa.  My relationship with the board and the way we conduct
meetings is very different than under Mike (he was the only president I am
familiar with).  I have never objected to motions where the board retains policy
making authority.

Getting people to step forward in a volunteer organization is always difficult.
If a member steps forward at some point that would really like the job then we
should talk.  Failing that my term needs to end either I sense that I am heading
for burnout or when the board feels I am no longer implementing their policies.
A fixed number of years is a poor measure of either.


Rob Hawley