Questions from members:
Member question/comment: You (Lynn Jansen) continue to refuse to respond to questions about your letter to SSPs and asking them to donate their meal reimbursement, and the numbers who responded, and then from that, how many agreed. You also did not clarify about the fact that most CANNOT make that a tax deduction, or other errors I pointed out to you and Jill with a recommended draft for a 2nd letter. I had talked to Jill about my concerns with your letter, that there wasn't a space for SSPs to say they want their reimbursement NOW, that there was incorrect info, etc. Jill asked me to draft a changed letter. Well, if I raise the problem, I have a responsibility to help with the solution. So I spent a full evening (late) writing a beautiful draft, with corrected tax info, etc. I submitted it. It was ignored. "You mean send a SECOND letter?" Yes, that's what I meant. I don't know who saw it besides Jill. Don't know if Lynn saw it or anyone else on the Board.
Lynn Answer:
On the SSP Refund Forms from the AADB Symposium, several months ago we sent
out an email asking the SSPs if they would be willing to wait for their refund, be willing to donate, or to be paid half and donate the other half. Out of 325 SSPs, 181 have donated, 13 said to pay/donate half, 10 said they will wait to be paid, and 34 wanted to be paid. We did not hear back from 87 of them. We are happy to report we have a whopping savings in the estimated amount of $28,421.82. This includes many who did not request their $50 refundable deposits. A letter is forthcoming to the SSPs who did not respond. This letter will ask again if they are willing to donate their money, wait for their refund, or be paid half and donate the other half.
Member Question:
Someone responded (Jill?) that 2 people had challenges out to raise money for paying SSPs. I remember when Darran started his challenge, and there was no mention about the funds being for SSPs. Who decided that? The challenge was just to bring in money without relying on the fundraising committee. And now that Darran joined the board, then abruptly quit, is that challenge still good?
Jill's answer: Here is an explanation for both:
From Darran Zenger from the AADBL: I challenged them to raise $1,000 by October 31st to help cover the post symposium costs. Since many are upset the SSPs/Interpreters were asked by the Board to "donate" their reimbursements to AADB. That is what people are upset about. The bill for the symposium and the cost of it is not covered.
Darran sent René a $25 Visa gift card for the original challenge. A 2nd challenge with a $100 gift card prize. René is the winner again and he has
received a $100 gift card prize.
And, for 2012 we announced in AADB Today:
For next year, several members of the board are working on another Challenge
with prizes for the individual who raises the most money for AADB in 2012.
This Challenge would be separate from any of the other organized Fundraising
Events.
Member Question:
BOARD: Why do you allow Lynn to refuse to respond to some very simple
questions? She has some responsibility here! She is VP for heaven's sake! I
find this refusal to be completely unacceptable
Board answer:
Lynn has been very busy, doing much more than her share of work as the
vice-president of AADB. She has been working day-in and day-out doing
numerous tasks, which include keeping the office duties afloat, taking all
voice calls, checking emails sent to the office and forwarding them to the
appropriate individuals, working with Secretary Debby Lieberman on paying
bills, working on her committee responsibilities, assisting the President
wherever needed, coordinating with the Treasurer on state registrations and
other financial tasks, and much, much more.
Lynn is to be commended for all that she does for AADB. She is not refusing
to answer questions, but rather, has little or no time to do so.
Member Question:
The Policy Committee says they are not focusing on new policies at this
time. Yet I see some policies have changed. The new "everyone's membership
dues on same renewal time" is a policy.
Answer from Jill: The question was regarding
"new" policies. This policy about membership dues already exists, and
therefore is not a new policy. This policy update was needed to make it
easier for all to comply with on an annual basis, rather than spread out
through the year. In other words, the process itself has been streamlined to
save everyone time, money, and the hassle of trying to remember when it is
time to pay one's dues.
Member Question to MARK Gasaway regarding the AADBL:
Answer from Jill Gaus:
Mark has resigned and we are trying to put a member in place and have the
rules in place now.
Member Question:
Jill Gaus: You said that board members (I don't know if
committee members are included) were required to sign a contract of
confidentiality. You said there are ramifications if they break that. What
are the ramifications please? Ryan O came on and openly said he was breaking
confidentiality and started giving info. Regardless of whether it was true
or not, in my mind, he should have been immediately thrown off the board. So
what are the current policy consequences?
You said the process is being changed. Isn't that a Policy change, which the Policy Committee says isn't happening? Or is that a By-Laws Amendment, or how can you change things?
Also, what do you plan to change them to? This should also be public
information.
Answer from Jill Gaus:
Currently, the policy on this states that the board
member will be approached by the president to answer for his or her actions
within 30 days. If no response or insufficient response of just cause is
given by 30 days, the process of that individual board member's removal will
begin, with a required 2/3 vote of approval by the board in the next 30
days. The need to overhaul this particular policy is obvious, such that it
needs to account for certain circumstances such as an obvious display of
breaking confidentiality or lack of active participation by a board member
to support AADB's goals, and so on. That episode necessitated such a change
to prevent the same thing happening again in future. In general, it is
correct that not ALL the policies are being overhauled at this time.
Question from a member:
Will AADB have a 2013 conference?
Answer: This letter was sent to the members.
Dear AADB Members:
As you all may be aware, our organization has been facing difficult times in the preceding months financially. A request was made to determine whether AADB would be able to help finance the 2013 AADB Symposium, which would then be held in Seattle, Washington.
After a review of the current finances as it is, and future projections to 2013, it is with utmost regret that the Board has made a decision to cancel the 2013 Symposium in order to be able to focus more on getting AADB back on its feet and become a strong, thriving organization again.
AADB needs you, our members, as much as ever to help support us. It is all our organization, not just the board’s. Together, we can strive to ensure a Symposium will be once again held after 2013.
As always, we work to serve you, the members.
The AADB Board of Directors
Question from a member:
Who is on the FRC:
CM Hall, Karen Bailey and Jill Gaus are on the FRC.
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