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Subj: Chairman Election Information: Questionnaire Responses Refer to: Central Region Letter 03-06; February 27,
2006 **** Dear Central Region Alumni:
As I pointed out in my last Newsletter my duty to communicate with you is made clear by the Alumni Association Bylaws/Operating Manual: “…being a Trustee of the Association involves serious responsibility...Of utmost importance is the responsibility to communicate effectively in explaining to our individual constituencies about issues, initiatives and activities of the Association.”
I have been given permission by USNA At Large, a private alumni newsletter, to publish the responses given to its election questionnaire by the two candidates for Chair, ADM Carlisle A.H. Trost, USN (Ret.) ’53, and BGen Thomas V. Draude, USMC (Ret.) ’62. USNA At Large developed all the questions itself (i.e., they are not mine). Should you wish to inquire about a subscription to USNA At Large, email John Howland ‘ 64 at: Blackfin SS322@aol.com
Some of the answers to certain questions are very similar, as you might expect. There are pronounced differences, however, especially in the answers to questions # 2, 3, 8, 12, and 13. I thought their answers would be helpful to you in making your decision, hence this lengthy Newsletter. The March Shipmate started to arrive on the East Coast, so it will be delivered to your home very soon. The tear-out ballot is inside. You must write-in “Thomas V. Draude ‘ 62 “ if you decide to vote for him. Here are the results of the USNA At Large questionnaire.
1. By Laws of USNAAA: Have you read the current ByLaws?
Draude: 1. I have read the current Bylaws.
Trost: 1. I have read and am quite familiar with the Bylaws of the USNAAA. I would not, however, expect newly nominated candidates to have done so prior to receiving an information packet, and if elected, to have attended the new Board member indoctrination.
2. By Laws in Action: Do you agree or disagree with the action of the Chairman of the Association disbanding the Nominating Committee at the 1 Dec 05 BOT Meeting? Why or why not?
Draude: 2. I disagree. The Chair appointed a Nominating Committee, received advice from one of his Trustees regarding the actions affecting one of the proposed candidates, and relieved the Committee rather than correct the problem of "single name slating" for Chair.
Trost: 2: As the Chairman, of course I agree with the action I took. It was done on the recommendation of the Chairman of the first Nominating Committee in order to remove any questions about the actions of this committee during its deliberations. The replacement committee, also broadly representative, was approved by the entire Board. Its results were approved by the Board 27-2, the two dissenters later stating their opposition to the nomination of a single individual (me) for the position of Chairman of the Board. Again, I would not expect other nominees to have the background on this issue.
3. Regional Trustees: Do you believe that the right number of Regional Trustees should be ZERO, FOUR or some number GREATER THAN FOUR? Please explain your choice.
Draude: 3. I'm not sure yet how many are necessary, but all alumni should feel their voices are being heard through their Regional Trustees. As you point out later, many alumni do not belong to a chapter so this is their only means of being recognized. (An addendum to the original post by BGen Draude): As I receive more responses to my platform for Chair of the BOT, I have reviewed my position re Region Trustees. I know there was a recent effort to reduce the number of Region Trustees. I believe this was a step in the wrong direction--there should be an increase in their number for the following reasons:
ˇ They are elected by a broad group of alumni. ˇ They represent a large number of alumni who do not belong to chapters. ˇ They are in a better position to reach out to alumni who feel disenfranchised.
The end result is what I hope to achieve in the Association--responsive representatives dedicated to their constituents.
Trost: 3. As you know, I recommended the replacement of the four regional trustees and the two Board-appointed trustees by six trustees elected “At Large.” The intent, increase member voting participation by providing more opportunity for members to elect their representatives from a member-wide base. After nearly a year of discussion, my proposal received votes of 17 FOR, 12 OPPOSED – short of the 2/3 vote required for a Bylaws change. I continue to believe the proposal makes sense and would achieve its intended purpose. It also clearly stimulated enough animosity toward me to stimulate a write-in campaign in opposition to my agreement to stand for re-election. Hopefully, this effort will result in increased voter participation!
4. Sexual Harassment, etc.: The Superintendent is currently court martialling an officer instructor for bad language. What role, if any, do you believe that Alumni and/or the Alumni Association should play in providing input to the Naval Academy Administration in such circumstances? Please elaborate.
Draude: 4. "Bad language" is not the alleged offense! The Superintendent is the accountable officer for the Academy. If he wants advice from us we can respond, but he is the one in charge.
Trost: 4. The Superintendent’s court-martial action is outside our purview. He works for the CNO and SecNav. In matters such as this, my position is to offer advice and assistance where desired and to support the Superintendent’s actions unless I deem them inappropriate.
Draude: 5. I would respond the same way I would regarding a male midshipman. The Academy experience is unique and has proven its worth in preparing men and women as combat leaders for our Nation. (When my daughter was making night carrier landings her crew never asked her how she received her commission or how much it cost.)
Trost: 5. Women are at our service academies in compliance with the law. These issues were debated in the 1970’s prior to the law’s going into effect. Our female grads have proven themselves effective officers in our Navy and Marine Corps. Our role should be to identify and support the best qualified female candidates for admission to the Academy.
6. Noon Meal Prayer: What role, if any, should religion have at the Naval Academy?
Draude: 6. Midshipmen should be able to choose their spiritual path to develop themselves morally. I believe that is an essential element in their preparation for leading--especially in combat. I am in favor of the Noon Meal Prayer.
Trost: 6. Again, the Superintendent has stated clearly policy on religion. While mandatory Chapel attendance is precluded by law, our grads, as military leaders, are responsible for ensuring that their personnel are accorded freedom of worship – clearly they need some religious exposure to help broaden their thought process.
7. Navy Blue and Gold: Just prior to June Week 2004 the Superintendent unilaterally changed the words of Navy Blue and Gold. How do you believe the Alumni Association should have responded in that instance and how should the Alumni Association position itself re future potential changes to other time-honored Navy Songs/Traditions.
Draude: 7. Again, if the Superintendent wants our input we can respond. I don't feel any less an alumnus or Marine just because the words "men" and "Marine" are not included in Navy Blue and Gold.
Trost: 7. The Superintendent engaged in many discussions prior to making the minor, yet significant, changes to Navy Blue and Gold. The action was totally within his purview. I was among those consulted and concurred in the change.
8. The Amalgamation: Please state your views re the pros and cons of the "Amalgamation."
Draude: 8. The pros are that it's simpler and combines the assets of the Alumni Association and the Athletic and Scholarship Foundation. The cons are that I'm not sure that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Alumni Association and the USNA Foundation (if there is one) is as strong as that between the USNA Foundation and the Athletic and Scholarship Foundation. We must ensure the interests of the Alumni Association are protected.
Trost: 8. The “Amalgamation” has, in my view,
been a total success. The Alumni Association has continued to improve its
support to USNA and its membership; the Foundation has succeeded beyond best
expectations and opened the door to contributions from non-alumni sources. I
don’t understand the motivation of those who continue to fight the
successful implementation of a good idea. 9. Mission of the Alumni Association: Please discuss your views and perspectives on the mission of the Alumni Association
Draude: 9. I wish the mission was shorter, but it must include the essential elements. The addition of the words "and its Alumni" was prudent.
Trost: 9. The Mission of the Alumni Association is clearly set forth in our Bylaws and implementing documentation. Our recently implemented “Plan 2010 Review” will examine our progress in carrying our approved mission.
10. Relationship Between Alumni, the Academy Administration and the Alumni Association: Please discuss your view of the appropriate relationship between the Alumni, the Naval Academy Administration and the Alumni Association.
Draude: 10. The Association is the conduit of information/recommendations between the Alumni and the Academy's Administration.
Trost: 10. We, as Alumni of a great institution, have a responsibility to support the Academy. As earlier noted, we serve in an advisory capacity to the Superintendent. We are not in his chain of command.
11. Relationship Between the Alumni Association Leadership and the Board of Trustees: How do you view the relationship and responsibilities between the Board of Trustees, on the one hand, and the president/CEO of the Alumni Association on the other hand?
Draude: 11. The President/CEO of the Association is responsive and answerable to the Board of Trustees. He carries out the intent of the Alumni as directed by the Board of Trustees and leads the day to day operations of the staff.
Trost: 11. Alumni Association paid leadership is responsible for the day to day operation of the Association. The Board of Trustees provides oversight of these efforts.
12. Involving Rank-and-File Alumni in the Affairs and Operations of the Alumni Association: With over 51,000 dues paying members, a very small number are involved or even concerned with the affairs and operations of the Alumni Association, let alone local chapters. What specific suggestions might you make to encourage the Alumni Association to reach out to a larger portion of those 51,000 alumni?
Draude: 12. Identify, contact and engage by various other means those not involved. (To this end I would be willing to write a personal note to those alumni who are not actively involved.) Encourage, at a minimum, their assistance to our Blue and Gold officers. Solicit recommendations from the Regional Trustees who represent them.
Trost: 12. The Alumni Association is going to great lengths to keep our membership informed of issues and accomplishments of their Association. I would urge all members to be active in Class and Chapter activities and to use their elected representatives as an avenue for input to the Board of Trustees.
13. Annual Meeting: Please state and explain your position on whether the Alumni Association should conduct an annual meeting of the membership.
Draude: 13. I would recommend exploring the feasibility of an annual meeting--not necessarily at Annapolis. Perhaps some of the lack of interest we experience is due to the perception that we are an "East Coast only" Association. Our members need to feel they are being heard--I'm willing to consider suggestions to accomplish this.
Trost: 13. An Annual meeting is a dead issue. It was thoroughly reviewed last year for legal requirement (none), value added in the view of the very considerable efforts to keep our members informed on a much more frequent basis (no gain seen) and complexity (considerable). Our May meeting of the Board of trustees does, in fact, constitute an “Annual meeting” where election results are implemented. In addition, at our last May meeting, I implemented a policy of opening the floor to questions from observing attendees at our meeting, a policy which will continue at our May meeting.
14. Amending the By Laws of the Alumni Association: Do you believe that changes to the By Laws should be tendered to the general membership for final ratification? Should there be a mechanism by which the general membership may directly initiate changes to the By Laws without requiring the approval of the Board of Trustees?
Draude: 14. Amending the Bylaws is the job of the general membership's representatives...the Board of Trustees. If the Board is not measuring up, it should be voted out.
Trost: 14. My reaction to this proposal is WOW – what a way to render a smooth-working organization totally ineffective. Why have a Board of Trustees, why elect representatives to carry out their legal and fiduciary responsibilities? Clearly, I don’t think it’s a sound idea.
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*** Central Region: |