Governance: "The method or system of management. The exercise of authority". This term boils down to how an organization is run by its Board of Directors and its Officers. It is an important issue in any organization and the topic of my column this month.

After I had been President of TE/AE for a few months and had become more familiar with how the Board and Regional Representatives work, I thought there might be a better way of governance for the Club's future. The two main things that struck me were: 1) the traits we want in a Regional Rep and the traits we want in a Board Member as not necessarily the same thing, even though currently they are the same people; and 2) it only takes five member's signatures to name a Regional Rep (and therefore, Board Member) but an election across the entire Club is used for selecting the Officers.

With these thoughts as a starting point, I have proposed to the Board a significant modification to the Club's By-Laws. Our current By-Laws were put in place in 1977 when our founders started TE/AE and incorporated in Virginia. They were a great way to start the Club and to guide it all these years, but the Club has grown and times have changed since then. The method of governance of the Club needed to reflect that change.

TE/AE currently has eleven Regional Representatives and, as such, eleven members of the Board of Directors. Our Regional Reps are regional activities leaders, conducting regional Tigers East/Alpines East events, acting as focal points for the Club and the Marque and promoting Club membership. Our Board Members, as put simply in our By-Laws, "shall have final authority to act in all matters concerning the Organization, subject to law." In practice, this means policy and fiscal guidance of the Club. We want the best Regional Reps we can find and the Best Board Members for the Club.

The basis of my proposal is to separate the functions of Regional Rep and Board Member. Currently, when one becomes a Rep, he or she is automatically on the Board. My proposal is to elect a seven member Board (independent of the process for naming Regional Reps) through Club-wide elections. By electing the Board, we can get the people on our Board that have the best experience and judgment to oversee the club. These individuals will be responsible for those duties and authorities of the Board of Directors as delineated in our By-Laws. The proposal would continue with the Regional Rep system that we have now, with the Reps being responsible for Club events and the promotion of the Marque in their regions. Reps would be also be able to be elected to the Board. The Regional Reps would be invited to all Board meetings and would be involved in all planning and governing discussions, as they are now. In this way, we can get the best people in the right jobs.

I ask for your support for these changes. I have worked them extensively with the Regional Reps/Board Members and have their encouragement to go forward. In an edition of the Rootes Review early next year, you will find a list of these and other changes to the By-Laws that are being proposed for your vote, along with an explanation of why each is beneficial to the Club. When you receive the proposed changes, please read them over carefully and vote. It is your Club.

Later in this issue, you will find the ballot for the 2000 Officers. The slate, as put forward by the Board, is shown as well as any other nominations, if any. I encourage you to vote.