In my opinion what the membership wants is a productive organization that is actively working on the next generation of sats. I believe they also want better education of how to work satellites and sat communication in general. They also want a BoD they can trust in (Which they do and have). The incumbents have done a tremendous job keeping an organization with low overall funds alive and kicking. Trying to say the President or any other Director has done anything to hurt, defund, embarrass AMSAT is wrong. There was not misspending of funds. EVERYONE involved was on the lookout and protection of this great organization. MIchelle, you are right in that we need to send volunteers to the board who will support AMSAT. That includes its future AND legacy. Through all of this, one thing I think and hope has happened is that more people will stand up to volunteer in any capacity. AMSAT has cried for volunteers for a long time. We all send in our minimum $44 and expect a satellite will magically appear in orbit. It cannot be done without constructive communication and behavior. Because you call someone out on misspending of funds, does not automatically make them guilty and proves nothing. You are also correct in that we need a better volunteer experience. In my opinion that includes conversation and communications should be between the directors. Not necessarily always made public. Doing so has done nothing but stain our reputation and push members away. Sadly the legal funds spent were needed. If we compare the cost of how many memberships that equates to, then lets try to compare that to how many members have we lost the support of. Or how about new members it scares away!?

Have a blessed day. To be continued I am sure…

Chad

Chad Phillips KG0MW Amsat Ambassador www.kg0mw.com

On Jul 11, 2020, at 1:37 PM, Michelle Thompson via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:

I recommend researching the bios of the people running for the Board for 2020 election.

The incumbents have tried to make this about currently serving Directors, as if it's a referendum on our oversight. If that's the case, then good. Let them.

If the membership wants clean and transparent financial behavior, then please replace the men that secretly hired a law firm and blocked access to corporate records and communications.

They have admitted they secretly hired this firm, admitted that the demand letter was the only reason they restored access, and have halted regular meetings.

How can one productively work with people that refuse to even meet?

Please send volunteers to the board that won't act like this. There will be significant and long-lasting improvement. This will take a lot of work. However, everyone will get increased benefit from your membership dues, better communications, and a better volunteer experience across the organization.

-Michelle W5NYV

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 2:43 PM Bob Hammond via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:

...

I am able to find Director Thompson's bio but I'm unable to find anything about Director Stoddard. Is there a bio with work history, background, education, volunteer work, and so on?

I'm curious.

Bob W7OTJ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb