It's time for my voice to be heard on this. If you search through the active and archived posts, this program has been the subject of several hundred posts. There has been considerable disagreement over 1) whether or not to even have an endorsement program, 2) how many levels of endorsement should there be, 3) how should endorsements be established, 4) how should endorsement applications be handled, and on and on.
For a period of time, I had very serious misgivings on the program and it's implementation. Then I did the research. There continues to be a major outcry for an endorsement program. The program, as written and now before the membership for voting, has been the subject over a number of serious and, occasionally heated, debates. When you go through each and every post, as I have now done twice, you find that for the most part this program captures the bulk of what is wanted. It was even revised in September in accordance with some suggestions by the membership.
Now, after these many, many months, YOUR Board took up the matter so as to not delay it further. We have all taken the months of posts to heart. We have all discussed and re-discussed the suggestions and comments. We also made the decision, <u>unanimously</u>, to put the existing program to the membership for vote. This was not done haphazardly, nor was it done in any self-serving way. I would venture to say that there are other Board members, like myself, who in no way qualify for the Grand Master title...nor would any one of us finagle our way to such status.
This is not an elitist club that is being formed. It is an opportunity for the members to be measured against a set of established criteria. If you do not wish to be judged, there is no pressure or impetus to do so. This program is voluntary. I repeat, <u>this program is voluntary</u>. The measurements may not be to each individual's liking, but let me assure you that from the scores of posts which I have read, they are a fair and reasonable grouping and they represent our diverse membership pretty darned well. OUR Board and its predecessor committees have done a magnificent job with a near impossible task.
Now, I do not expect the members to agree with all of the endorsement program on a component-by-component basis, but I would like to remind you that WE elected these good people only a scant month or so ago. They have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy into this organization. If you believed in them enough to elect them, I believe you owe it to them to support them in a fair and reasonable manner. Agree or disagree over programs...vote with or against them in proceedings like this... but never, <u>ever</u> question their dedication. Never, <u>ever</u> look upon their actions as self-serving. I can attest to the fact that they look out for each individual member, for each one of YOU, even to their own sacrifice.
Vote your heart. Vote your mind. Then please rejoin the group which garners the largest number of votes and let's put this organization back to work for us!