I have served on the board, repeatedly, and as an advisory member I am unable to vote during the board meetings. Advisory positions are appointed by the incoming president. I am not the only board member that thinks advisory members should have voting rights.
Without discussing the merits of individual candidates I do have a problem with the IWCA bylaws, in regards to advisory and professional board positions.
I would consider an advisory position to any one who owns a supply house , or sells supplies, or manufactures window cleaning products.
Professional members are window cleaners and have voting rights. Associate members do not have voting rights. My youngest son, Joshua 19, has a landscaping business which also provides window cleaning services. I’ve cleaned a few windows and with the current bylaws could serve on the board as either an advisory (associate member) or a professional window cleaner. We could split hairs, having certain children serve as as advisory members and other children run for professional positions. Using this line of reasoning, Joshua is not on the payroll at *** so he should have voting rights. Jacob works at *** so he should be in an advisory position. One gets to vote and one doesn’t.
Another issue is the cost of dues. Associate members pay more than Professional members. It is not fair that I pay more but don’t get to vote. I remember one year Mark Unger termed it: “taxation without representation”.
As the bylaws are currently written I think it appropriate, when you have a situation where an individual both engages in window cleaning and sells or manufactures window cleaning supplies, this company or person should be considered only for an advisory position and pay higher dues as an associate member.
I have served on the board, repeatedly, and as an advisory member I am unable to vote during the board meetings. Advisory positions are appointed by the incoming president.
The bylaws should allow associate members to have voting rights. If this change does not happen, then I don’t think anyone with a supply company should be candidate in the upcoming election.
I welcome Mr. Lambrinides, to work hard along side other associate members in an advisory capacity. But as the rules stand right now, it is a conflict of interest for him to run in this election. The easiest solution is to give every member of the IWCA voting rights.