Re: The Big 3 have more votes? NOT!!
Ted A. Trower
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: The Big 3 have more votes? NOT!!
Creator:
Ted A. Trower
Date:
3/3/1998
Text:
At 02:50 PM 3/3/98 EST, you wrote:
><< In an earlier message, I wrote: AOPA currently has a Structure Commission
>that is looking into these and other membership issues, such as: Shouldn't
>the Big Three pay a larger percentage of the total AOPA dues? Shouldn't they
>also have more votes? We're not talking control here - we're talking basic
>value and fairness. >>
>
AOPA is structured like the Senate, not the House. I for one believe that
the big three already essentially control AOPA. They do this by subsidizing
their staff members to hold office in the organization. Few small practices
could afford the time and expense of holding those offices. By virtue of
controlling the administrative decision making process the big three set the
agenda and control to direction of AOPA without ever needing to cast a vote.
We are already divided into two organizations. The NAAOP offers an
energetic alternative to AOPA. I currently belong to both but if you
increase the power of the national corporations I will leave AOPA promptly
and feel comfortable that I will never be missed.
>Maybe we haven't communicated well with the field about what our priorities
>are, although I think we are doing a better job recently of telling our
>members and others what we are doing.
I've been communicated to until I'm ready to puke. The problem is it's
all volume and no data. Frankly I'm not very interested in being told what
a good job you're doing for me. Just tell me what you have done and let me
decide if it's good or not.
In that vein, the Almanac is a laughing stock. O&P Business News out
classes you for content and timeliness both. If you have any doubts take a
look at your classified revenues. I'm very tired of hearing about all the
awards that it has won. All that tells me is that someone is spending a lot
of time on my nickel nominating themselves for meaningless (to me) awards.
But they are building themselves a very nice resume.
>
>How would you feel if you were a bigger member company paying 20 times the
>dues of a smaller independent company, but had only one vote?
How do those dues compare as a percentage of retained earnings? I think
maybe I should start demanding votes commensurate with my sacrifice.
> And remember
>that the three larger companies are fierce competitors. There is little
>reason to think they would vote as a block.
Are you really that naive? I doubt it.
No one is suggesting a change in
>the fundamental balance of power in voting -- just leveling the playing field
>a bit and adding a little democracy.
>
Lets see....I'm rich so I get more votes.....Yup that's a democracy alright!
Ted A. Trower C.P.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, Michigan, USA
<Email Address Redacted>
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is today
><< In an earlier message, I wrote: AOPA currently has a Structure Commission
>that is looking into these and other membership issues, such as: Shouldn't
>the Big Three pay a larger percentage of the total AOPA dues? Shouldn't they
>also have more votes? We're not talking control here - we're talking basic
>value and fairness. >>
>
AOPA is structured like the Senate, not the House. I for one believe that
the big three already essentially control AOPA. They do this by subsidizing
their staff members to hold office in the organization. Few small practices
could afford the time and expense of holding those offices. By virtue of
controlling the administrative decision making process the big three set the
agenda and control to direction of AOPA without ever needing to cast a vote.
We are already divided into two organizations. The NAAOP offers an
energetic alternative to AOPA. I currently belong to both but if you
increase the power of the national corporations I will leave AOPA promptly
and feel comfortable that I will never be missed.
>Maybe we haven't communicated well with the field about what our priorities
>are, although I think we are doing a better job recently of telling our
>members and others what we are doing.
I've been communicated to until I'm ready to puke. The problem is it's
all volume and no data. Frankly I'm not very interested in being told what
a good job you're doing for me. Just tell me what you have done and let me
decide if it's good or not.
In that vein, the Almanac is a laughing stock. O&P Business News out
classes you for content and timeliness both. If you have any doubts take a
look at your classified revenues. I'm very tired of hearing about all the
awards that it has won. All that tells me is that someone is spending a lot
of time on my nickel nominating themselves for meaningless (to me) awards.
But they are building themselves a very nice resume.
>
>How would you feel if you were a bigger member company paying 20 times the
>dues of a smaller independent company, but had only one vote?
How do those dues compare as a percentage of retained earnings? I think
maybe I should start demanding votes commensurate with my sacrifice.
> And remember
>that the three larger companies are fierce competitors. There is little
>reason to think they would vote as a block.
Are you really that naive? I doubt it.
No one is suggesting a change in
>the fundamental balance of power in voting -- just leveling the playing field
>a bit and adding a little democracy.
>
Lets see....I'm rich so I get more votes.....Yup that's a democracy alright!
Ted A. Trower C.P.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, Michigan, USA
<Email Address Redacted>
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is today
Citation
Ted A. Trower, “Re: The Big 3 have more votes? NOT!!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/210505.
