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The JUNE 2010 Gulf Stream newsletter is now available.

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From the President...Joe Dowdell

UPDATE ON THE REGIONAL MEETING IN PORTLAND OREGON

In the last issue, I attempted to answer some critisism about IOBG holding its Spring Regional Meeting each year to coincide with the Portland Rosarian Festival and Knighting Ceremony. Before the article was published, it was reviewed by IOBG Past Presidents Art Theobald and Harvey Sussell. They had been there and done that, so I thought after they made their editing corrections, it would be factually accurate.

After the article was published in the Gulfstream and on our web page, I was confronted by current International President Ray Thompson at our District 8 regional meeting in Marathon about how I got it wrong, and how he could not believe that neither Art nor Harvey caught my mistake.

I said the cost to enjoy the attractions is not subsidized. IOBG contributes nothing financially to the Rose Festival or the Rosarians. This much was correct but I went on to say that District Directors get a small travel allowance to attend the business meetings, and that our District Director, Lee Clifford, would get a small travel expense check to go from Ft Myers to Portland Oregon. WRONG! District Directors do not get any money from International to help defray their out of pocket travel expenses to regional meetings. Only the nine members of the Executive Committee receive payment toward their travel expense to attend regional meetings, which is coach airfare and a per diem meals and lodging allowance based on the Government schedules, which do not cover actual costs. District Directors as delegates to the annual meeting, receive either $200, $300 or $400, based on distance.

This year, June and I flew to Portland Oregon for the Regional Spring meeting. The IOBG tries to get around to different regions of the country for their meetings, but it’s become traditional for District 5 to host the Spring meeting every year. They have 5 Chapters close by to share hosting the social functions. It’s a great place to go to do other things. While I attended the business meeting at Portland Yacht Club, June and Dawn Nemoy toured some of the local sights.

The most important points I bring back from this meeting are:

• Communication between International and the members has a long way to go, but it is improving. The organization is becoming more member oriented. Members are being encouraged to get involved, and members are responding. I feel I can contact any member of the Executive Committee regarding any issue or question, and get a response.

• In the past, policy suggestions have been made, sometimes over and over, but have either been dropped dead or disappeared. Now any letter, suggestion or idea forwarded to the policy committee will be acted upon by the next meeting. I heard that pledge from President Ray Thompson with my own ears.

• All proposed international bylaws changes passed and will be effective Jan. 1, 2011.

UPDATE ON INTERNATIONAL'S BYLAW CHANGES...

The ballots for the proposed IOBG Intenational ByLaw changes were opened and counted at the Regional meeting in Portland, Oregon on June 10th. All the amendments passed by the required 2/3 vote. The new ByLaws will take effect January 1, 2011.

Click here to view or download the results...