The results of the
recent Non-binding Referendum on the Center demonstrated a serious disconnect
between what Eastman Members want and what its governance does. In answer
to all five questions a majority of Eastman members did not want to spend even
$1.7 million. The $1.7 million option was rejected by 55% of the voters; the
other four options were rejected by an even higher percent of voters. Furthermore,
rather than put forth a referendum asking the single question which was stated
in the owner petition,
"We, the undersigned owners petition
the ECA Board, in accordance with ECA Declaration of Covenants and
Restrictions, Article 5 para 5.3 and also the Council Executive Committee to
conduct a non-binding referendum of all ECA owners prior to any Board or Council
vote to approve any proposed expenditure of more than $1.7. Million for a
renovation or replacement of the Center building."
the ECA Board took it
upon itself to explode the referendum into six questions, one of which, the 6th
question, did not even undergo a legal review. To many, the Board showed contempt
toward the expressed will of the people in their actions. The Board then voted
to go forward with a $4.5 million new building based on the recommendations of the
so-called CRC or the Center Renovation Committee made up exclusively of golfers
whose minutes indicate that a new Center will enhance the Eastman golf
experience.
What can Members do to
have direct vote and to have direct say as to how their money is spent and how
their community is operated???? Many Eastman members have asked these and
related questions numerous times in the past few months. In the search
for answers, some members have come forward stating that they are for Governance Reform. In the past 10 years the community's Declaration of Covenants has been changed more times than in its first 30 years of existence. Isn't that how we got here?
On the other hand,
suggestions have been put forth for an entirely new governance format as
defined in a Call for Eastman Governance Change (posted July 1 on EastmanBlog) and A Lean Governance Proposal (posted on Aug 26 on EastmanBlog). These proposals
call for a streamlined open and transparent governance model with reduced
personnel directly voted on by Eastman Members. It is a governance model that
all of us are familiar with, since the towns our properties are in use it. It
immediately provides direct vote, accountability and openness. It turns
down bureaucracy and levels the playing field from a six -level hierarchical
structure to a single level of "hierarchical" structure. It is easy
to understand both for existing owners and potential buyers.
If you are unfamiliar
with how Eastman Governance works today, you can see Aug 13 EastmanBlog Post Eastman Governance-How it works for a summary. As an interim step we propose that all
Council Members take the “Pledge”—see November 15 EastmanBlog Post The Pledge-Updated.
Existing governance members
have rolled out the "FEAR" and "CAN'T DO" messages about
this model, complemented by the full force of their supposed legal expertise. A
reminder of what the Founding Fathers probably experienced when they challenged
King George III, or what Pete Seeger encountered when he launched a campaign to
clean up the Hudson River.
Similarly, the Market
Basket employees who went on strike this summer to have Arthur Demoulas
reinstated as company president were told that they, the employees would lose
their jobs if they continued to strike. The employees persevered despite the owners’
and their lawyers' threats. The employees got what they demanded and they got
their jobs back. The threatened owners acknowledged the will of its employees.
Your elected officials
have denied your will. What are you willing to do to take back this community?
It is said that what we think is what we are, and you can be sure members of
your governance want you to think you cannot create a new governance model at
Eastman.
What are you willing to
do to transform Eastman to an open transparent and accountable governance? That
is a question each and every member of this community must ask him or herself.
If your answer is not much, then you will continue to get what you have gotten.
On the other hand if you are open to consider a different governance model for
Eastman please let us know. You can do so by email or if you would like to contact us by phone,
please send your phone number and we can set up a time to call.
Bob and Geri Logan
863-4864
Bob and Geri Logan are partners in their
consulting practice since 1993 that provides expertise on improved business,
financial and operational performance as well as leadership.
