USPA PROXIES ...the FINAL PUSH!!

[Scrumpot 1]

For those of you who don't get over to the wreck-dot, there is now a revelation and FINAL PUSH to get proxies in, provided by fax. FAX COPIES OF PROXIES (so long as presented in their entirety -so be careful what you write ) WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE JULY 11 GMM OF USPA!!!

Here is a copy of a posting I have put up over there further explaining:
-------
Jan Meyer wrote in message news:...
> I hope we do get a quorum.
> If we do, these procedures are what was sent to the BOD on 6/18/03.
> If you have any questions about these - take it up with HQ - not me.
> As for the date of record - it was June something. I do not remember &
> can't find that particular email. The BOD did not select it (as
> mentioned below).
> As to the membership roster count - that's something HQ would know. It
> is around 3300.
> .... -Internal Memo Proxy Handling Procedures Memo posted

Thank you for posting this, Jan! As I understand it, this is a document that was created by Chris Needels in order to establish (required) written/documented procedures, and intended meeting protocol as it relates to our upcoming GMM & the handling of these proxies, which has been solicited by the board.

Where I see NOTHING in here that either countermands (not that it legally could) Article 6, of NYS NPCL (under which auspices our organization legally operates) or further states that FAX COPY/TRANSMITIONS of proxy statements would somehow otherwise NOT be accepted or allowed, we all MUST now accept that, clearly under Section 609 of that Article, paragraph 8 (subparagraphs b2, and c) indeed Jan that FAX COPIES OF PROXIES ***ARE*** most definitely allowed.

Without quoting the ENTIRE paragraph (but it can be viewed by ANYBODY as previously pointed out & posted here:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?cl=76&a=7) specifically, subparagraph 8c of Article 6, Section 609 states (for the lazy one's of us who won't click & scroll through another link):

"Any copy, FACSIMILE TELECOMMUNICATION created pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section *(which by-the-way absolutely allows for even other "electronic transmition" methods as well, so long as it can be "reasonably determined" that transmition was authorized by the member! ---e-mail? ...but I won't open THAT can of worms)* may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmition for any & all purposes for which the original writing or transmition could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile transmition or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmition."

Therefore, as indeed viable option to all you wreck-dotters out there, I will post-up my fax # here for you to use. I will be personally attending this meeting, leaving my office to travel to the meeting by @ 4:30PM Friday. If you fax your proxy over to this # anytime before then, I will personally guarantee that it gets HAND DELIVERED to whomever at the meeting that you so designate. I am not "taking sides" as to who your proxy should be given to. If you would like to fax over even your USPA provided proxy being given to the president of USPA, I will deliver that personally to Glen Bangs accordingly. Or again, anyone else that you KNOW is going to be at this meeting. Treetop included. ---I offer this as my "courrier boy" (or "secretarial bitch") services to you all. So if you have not yet, ...please DO GET THOSE PROXIES IN!! It does indeed look like it is NOT too late.

My Fax # is: 410-715-3484
Please be sure to mark a fax coversheet to the attn of GRANT SPURRELL.
Make your proxy out to ANYBODY YOU SO DESIRE, and on Friday 7/11, prior to our meeting being called to order, I will ASSURE that proxy gets HAND DELIVERED to whomever it is you designate.

LET'S DO GET A QUORUM ESTABLISHED! SO THAT WE CAN FINALLY EFFECTIVELY VOTE ON THESE ITEMS THAT *NEED* TO BE VOTED UPON NOW. THIS TIME. AT *THIS* MEETING!!
I await your faxes.
Blue skies,
-Grant
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I'll take this here maybe even one step further. Don't trust Glen Bangs? ...Or even Don "Treetop" Jardine? Here then is a proxy statement I will provide (where I am going to be there anyway) giving your proxy instead to me. What I will do, is I will 100% GUARANTEE that I will represent YOUR VOTE. I have even placed an actual VOTE DESIGNATION section on the bottom of this by which you can direct me. Just as another option, in case you-all would like a Dropzone-dot-commer instead (myself) to respresent you (or at least YOUR VOTE). Proxies provided on the USPA form have an exposure potential to NOT even represent your VOTE at all, and instead be used to merely establish a quorum. If you would like to 100% GUARANTEE that YOUR actual VOTE is cast, as YOU have cast it, feel free to fill out the below, and indeed I will be happy to do that for you.

In either case, (even proxies being granted to OTHERS), please do get those proxies in!!
Feel free to use my fax # (repeated below), and I will 100% ASSURE that they get HAND DELIVERED
at the meeting on 7/11/2003 accordingly.

Blue Skies all!
-Grant
Fax #: 410-715-3484

Sample Proxy Statement granting proxy to Grant Spurrell (cut-n-paste, print, sign & fax):
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Statement of Proxy

As an Individual Member of the United States Parachute Association, I, _________________________ (USPA member # _________)
hereby appoint William Grant Spurrell (Grant Spurrell) ,USPA Member #127059, as my proxy; to appear and to vote in my name on any issue which I would be eligible to vote as if I were in attendance myself at the July 11th, 2003 General Membership Meeting of the USPA. This proxy may also be used as constituting my individual presence as being counted and valid by proxy, as if I were there in body myself for the purposes of contributing to and further establishing a quorum for said meeting and any and all matters that may come before it. This statement of proxy supercedes and invalidates any previous statements I have made assigning or granting of my proxy to any other parties.


Name _____________________________
Signature___________________________
Date ______________
USPA membership # _______________



--------------------------
As to the following 3 SPECIFIC issues / motions for Bi-Law amendment, understood to be at hand during this meeting, Mr. Spurrell is hereby directed to cast my vote as follows:

1. To change the term of office for USPA Directors and Officers from the current two years to three, effective with the next election in 2004 & forward:

YES________ NO________ (I am recommending a "NO" vote to this ammendment proposal)

2. To move the election schedule for USPA Directors two months earlier (process start date from October to August), and to then seat new board electorates at the very next scheduled BOD Meeting which follows the election:

YES________ NO________ (I am recommending a "YES" vote to this ammendment proposal)

3. To eliminate the National Director nominating committee and the petition requirement for USPA Regional Director candidates:

YES________ NO________ (I am recommending a "YES" vote to this ammendment proposal)

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[livendive 8]

I hope everyone fully considered all aspects of granting their proxy, regardless of whether it was to USPA (Glen Bangs) or any other individual member. I believe that many didn't consider the potential ramifications.

I'll go into a little more detail after the meeting, right now I want to see if/how it plays out.

Oh, and yes I will be present by proxy.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Scrumpot 1]

Quote

hope everyone fully considered all aspects of granting their proxy, regardless of whether it was to USPA (Glen Bangs) or any other individual member. I believe that many didn't consider the potential ramifications.

That's why I have posted mine here (as an option) with absolute VOTING DIRECTIVES attached to it. My (very early on) personal observation was that the USPA proxy did not necessarily assure VOTING in the manner that the proxy giver may (or may not have) anticipated, or EXPECTED. At this point, I am only sorry that I am getting "involved" only really at this LATE of a date. However, any proxies provided NOW would indeed SUPERCEDE any given earlier (so long as accepted as valid) -Hint, Hint

Although once any proxy is given, it allows that proxy holder to then effectively VOTE any way they then (being the ones there) see fit -including mine really; the one thing I PERSONALLY ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE (and I assume there will be enough others there to witness this/"squeal me out" later if I DON'T do this -subjecting me to the wrath of our entire community, which I can assure you I DON'T want) -is that I WILL vote the VOTES (as & if indicated) that each & EVERY one gives to me just as if it were them there THEMSELVES to cast it. -Period.

Perhaps I should have added yet another "check box" stipulating: Mr. Spurrell further has my authority to cast my vote as proxy in any way he sees fit and appropriate on any and all OTHER matters that also come before the meeting." YES______ NO______. If NO is checked, I will NOT in any way other than the 3 STIPULATED questions use that proxy (to vote). If YES is checked, then I may.

In fact, if anybody would like to & feels more comfortable adding that (if you ARE going to use this) then be my guest. Again, it all comes down really to a matter of trust, but I do guarantee you that I have NO "personal agendas" or axes to grind at this meeting, and I *WILL* represent & cast your vote(s) however you so designate.

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Scrumpot 1]

Bump! ....Keep'n it bumped.... GET THOSE PROXIES FAXED (no matter to WHOMEVER you may choose)!!! I'll carry 'em in & hand deliver 'em!

Let's get a quorum at this meeting established & not let the opportunity just slip by!!!!!

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[PhreeZone 20]

How many faxes have you recieved so far? (shameless bumping also)

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Scrumpot 1]

Grand total of 3 (yup that's right THREE). ...Pretty LAME (so far). -C'mon guys, let's get WITH IT!!!!

USPA Proxies, proxies to "tree", proxies to me, proxies to ANYONE you want (who'll be at the meeting). Let's just get 'em in! I'll HAND CARRY 'EM!!

Thanks Phree, for asking.

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[PhreeZone 20]

I mailed mine in over a month back so its already there... everyone else needs to get thiers in too

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Scrumpot 1]

Okay, let's open up a little dialogue about this then.

Let's say like you, for some folks who have already sent in their proxies they figure there is now nothing else further for them to do, right? I'm not so sure. Personally, I have been party to some rather direct and pointed debate which to date has STILL not satisfied ME that the USPA Proxies, if already sent in (as profferred in Parachutist Magazine) are foolproof and guaranteed VOTES in of themselves as the member may expect. This is the entire reasoning that has resulted in my "losing" my otherwise day-off Friday, to now instead be ATTENDING this meeting myself, personally.

Unlike some others, I am not necessarilly professing anything nefarious in either these proxies, the procedure or their intent. However, quite clearly AS THEY ARE WRITTEN (and by their very nature) these proxies ARE NOT "ABSENTEE VOTES". In fact, absentee BALLOTTING for the purposes of effectuating CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS or to USPA BI-LAWS is strictly precluded! By giving the proxy, one has merely assigned the right (and then not even necessarilly the OBLIGATION either) to vote in one's stead, which in the case of the USPA proxy, grants that right to "the USPA President". Translation: Glen Bangs. The proxy also constitutes an individual(s) "count" towards the establishment of a quorum for that meeting. A quorum is needed for the vote to be even allowed to take place in the 1st place.

Once the quorum is met (assuming that happens), Glen Bangs (or any of the present proxies for that matter) can be either VOTED or witheld in ANY WAY that proxy holder then sees fit! ...That is an "operation of law" (or at least protocol), as it HAS TO BE by DEFINITION, period. USPA through their publications & some subsequent postings by individual board members has stated and assured differently, and this is all well & good -and I guess for each individual person, decision maker & ultimately proxy-giver, that matter comes down simply to TRUST. But is is NOT a given/GUARANTEED!

My only other contention has been that checking the "YES" boxes on the USPA proxies, per question ONLY results in you giving your proxy (yes- permission to VOTE ...NOT WHICH WAY TO VOTE) on a per question basis. In other words if you checked YES to question 1, you have then given Glen Bangs PERMISSION TO VOTE on your behalf on question 1. NOT that you have DIRECTED a vote to be counted as a YES on question 1. HUGE disparity there from what I think most actually "expect"! If you placed a "NO" for instance on question 1, that means quite simply that "NO, you do NOT give your proxy to Glen Bangs granting him permission to vote on that item for you", period. ...Again, it is NOT in of itself a VOTE!

So what can be done about it now some might ask? Again, Jan Meyer, Mike Mullins and others (I haven't heard directly from Glen himself) have assured instead that actually those "yes" & "no's" WILL result in being tabulated into actual YES and NO VOTES. Assuming you are comfortable with that, there is NOTHING anybody needs to do relative to their already sent in proxies. They WILL be counted towards a quorum, and further if this is all you are concerned with supporting as well, then this is fine. This much we KNOW. If you are not fully comfortable with that however, you can still NOW grant your proxy instead to someone else.

My proxy template as offered at the top of this thread WILL (GUARANTEED personally guaranteed -that's the best ANYBODY can do) give YOU A VOTE (yes OR NO, -per question)!!

So what happens if you fax me a proxy, yet operatively at the meeting they DO decide NOT to accept "faxed" proxies? (something I contend they can not do) Well then, quite simply that proxy becomes invalidated. If you have already sent in a previous proxy to someone else (including the USPA one) that one will still remain "in force". Nothing ventured nothing gained.

So anyway, just a few more options for everyone to think about. ...Well more than just .02 on my part this time, at least with THIS series of postings, eh?

Bottom line: I think that faxed proxies ARE provided for and fully appropriate. So, if you have NOT gotten yours in yet (and even if you have as outlined above), please consider faxing over that proxy NOW. Again, even if it is the USPA "standard" proxy, or even a proxy to ANYBODY ELSE, ...I will simply HAND CARRY that for you, so as to ASSURE that it does arrive at the meeting in time for you!

I think this is a "service" regardless of your position as to WHO should have your proxy, you ALL should take advantage of and NOT PASS UP!!

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Scrumpot 1]

Bump! ...Shameless continual bumping

STILL only a total of 3 proxies received. Are we all done/all in yet? So when I get to the meeting I'll find that already 15,000 proxies in total have ALREADY been provided to SOMEBODY?? I hope so, but I doubt it.

C'mon people... and you know who you are. Get off your APATHETIC BUTTS & DO SOMETHING!! ...what have you got to lose? $1.23 worth of long distance fax charges maybe???

I'll be going to this meeting. ---USE ME!!
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Scrumpot 1]

More bumping.... right up until the deadline!

Seriously though, I've reconsidered the travel time-line, as well as the potential DC Beltway & Wilson
Bridge traffic most likely to be occurring during this time, and I am moving up my deadline to
receive USPA member faxes UNTIL 4:00PM (instead of 4:30) on Friday 7/11.

Again, I will deliver member proxies to ANY MEMBER you know will be there (at the GMM), if faxed to me at 410-715-3484 BY 4PM.

This is your last opportunity to put up or shut up.
I am here to be used as the mule that I am! ;^)

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Scrumpot 1]

Bump! ....ONLY A FEW MORE HOURS LEFT!

If you haven't yet (faxed your proxy) ...WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE????

Fax #: 410-715-3484

I will hand carry ANYONE'S PROXY, to ANYONE ELSE who you know is attending the meeting. Be a part of the solution. Be a part of the GMM! ...FAX THOSE PROXIES NOW!

Blues,
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[Scrumpot 1]

Only 3 more hours, then I'm ON THE ROAD!

Anyone else wanna get their proxy in to the USPA meeting????

Bump, ditty, bump, bump, bump!

coitus non circum - Moab Stone