ASQ (American Society for Quality) By-Laws Changes - How did you vote?

[Wes Bucey]

For voting members of ASQ, I'm curious how you voted or will vote on the By-Laws changes. Besides the vote, I'd like to see your explanation for the vote.

If we were in a plenary session, this would be a vote by show of hands, not a secret ballot. The vote would be taken AFTER you had ample time to discuss pros and cons of the issues YOU perceive. Everyone would know your position.

Link to proposed changes (32 page pdf file):
http://www.asq.org/members/leadership/bylaws/sb/bylaws_proposed02_05.pdf

 

[Wes Bucey]

I voted NO.

I do not believe the changes will benefit the members of ASQ. They are primarily for the convenience of top level paid staff.

 

[Craig H.]

I voted yes, before I had seen the comments of Wes, and others. I now wish I could change my vote.

 

[Wes Bucey]

I voted yes, before I had seen the comments of Wes, and others. I now wish I could change my vote.

Yes! Precisely the value of free and open discussion before such an important vote.

 

[Gerry Quinn]

I voted No.

Our regional director came to our monthly meeting and explained the changes from his perspective.

"We get less representation and the process was handled secretely."

This may or may not be true but he was the only one available to give us an explanation.

Gerry

 

[Wes Bucey]

If you didn't know about it until the Regional Director's visit, it WAS secret from you!

 

[Steve Prevette]

Though to be fair, the poll responses really should just be "yes" or "no".

 

[Bill Pflanz]

I am not aware of how ASQ balloting is done but it has crossed my mind that a no response from members gets counted as a yes vote. For those that receive stockholders proxy vote information, that is how the system works for listed companies. If done the same way, the bylaw changes will pass with "overwhelming support from the members".

Bill Pflanz

 

[Wes Bucey]

In other words, Bill, you are saying that apathy on the part of members, resulting in ignoring the ballot, will have the same outcome as any other election, where only those who care enough to vote can influence the outcome of an election?

I will check the current ASQ By-Laws to confirm whether a non-vote actually counts as a "Yes" or whether it has an effect on the Quorum required.

When I report, I will cite the exact part which addresses the issue.

Thanks for raising the issue.

 

[Kevin H]

Count me among those voting no - a big help in reaching the decision was information posted on the cove. Also, our regional director emailed information to our section outlining reasons to vote no - the information from ASQ management was not as persuasive.