Innovation: (3) Improved efficiency and personal impact of SOBA America conventions
A: Streamline convention deliberations for improved effectiveness and time management
Vision: We will create a process that will ensure our SOBA America National conventions are more efficiently and effectively conducted.
Discussion: Since the creation of SOBA America, out national conventions have been a forum for lengthy discussion regarding SOBA America matters. Time management has been a major challenge year after year, leading to rushed votes on many important issues. The Itoe administration has taken concrete steps to fix this issue, with the introduction of electronic voting devices, pre-printed chapter reports and other initiatives. While this is a step in the right direction, a lot still must be done. SOBA America national conventions should be professional, efficient and effective. The general assembly needs to make informed decisions on important issues with enough data and time to consider motions. Knee jerk decisions on motions brought to the assembly’s attention with short notice and little debate time will be a thing of the past in the Fote administration.
Action items: The Fote administration, in conjunction with NEC, will set specific guidelines with the goal efficient organization and running of the business meeting portion of SOBA America national conventions. Specifically, there will be a process for motions to be tabled, WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION with deadlines. There will be a process for debate on these motions through the membership portal of the website. This will allow for adequate time for SOBANS to consider a motion, do any appropriate research (including opinion polls when indicated), and take preliminary votes if there are several options on a motion. The final summary and vote on the motions shall be done on the floor of the general assembly. By debating in advance, SOBANS will make more informed decisions on their votes, and SOBA America will more efficiently conduct business at the national convention. There will be a clearly defined process for emergency important motions to be brought outside this process, in the event of an emergency.