Summer Congress Meeting Highlights Maryl a nd Reg ion
Summer 2 0 1 5
“Congress is the link between the members and the Board of Directors” CSI Bylaws Section IV, 4.1 A
The Maryland Summer congress meeting was held at Randallstown Pavilion Co-op on June 3rd. It started with a welcome and introduction by RPC Congress Coordinator Evangeline Hutson. James Henry, Speaker of Congress and Bob Swiger, Deputy Speaker led our meeting with a song sung by the newly incorporated Congress Choir. Their rendition of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in 3 rounds was a huge hit! Laughter filled the room and it was a great start to our meeting. In an effort to recruit, train and grow potential new members to Congress we invited some special guests to attend the meeting. Charles Sampson -HTP, David Bush – ESX, Estelle McCormick & Isabelle Ferguson –WC, Roslyn Bartee – OCE, Shirley Wooden - RPC, were all in attendance and we were thrilled to have them. Thank you all for attending! In continuing with our goals of Congress focusing on being the link between the members and the board, and our three common threads (Communication, mentorship, and engaging co-op leadership) each co-op Congress was asked to meet and determine actions they will take in advancing their co-op in each of the common threads. Each co-op Congress will turn in their measureable goals to the Speaker of Congress and report back at the Fall Congress meeting on how the plan has been successful or not been successful. We are looking forward to hearing all of the excellent ideas and plans!
CSI bylaw change proposal: At the Maryland Spring Congress meeting 2015, the delegates voted to table the vote on the proposed bylaw change until the Summer Congress meeting. The proposed bylaw change would eliminate the term limits for congress, meaning that any member could run for a Congress Delegate position every 2 years for as long as he/she would like too. Congress is a corporate position and falls under the CSI bylaws, therefore, it is the CSI membership who gets to make this determination, not the board. At the Maryland Summer Congress Meeting the delegates voted to not accept the proposed bylaw change, keeping the current bylaw.
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Congress Highlights
Congress Elections
Evangeline Hutson, Chairperson of the Congress Elections Committee discussed the upcoming Congress elections. This is what she had to say: What is Congress? Congress members serve as a link between the membership and the board of directors in order to maintain effective control of the cooperative. How do congress delegates act as the link between our members and the board? In the following ways: ¨ Encouraging members to listen in on board meetings ¨ Attending Congress meetings to discuss issues of importance to the Co-op ¨ Taking an active part in recruiting candidates for the Board ¨ Congress publishes the annual Connector newsletter ¨ Congress studies important corporate issues ¨ One Congress delegate sits on each co-op’s council to represent the point of view of CSI Support Development Services. ¨ Only Congress delegates can be part of the following task forces and committees: ¨ Annual Meeting Planning ¨ Volunteerism & Diversity ¨ Rally/Picnic Planning ¨ Legislative Action ¨ Connector ¨ Public Relations ¨ Congress Elections If you’re interested, talk to your liaison or any Congress Delegate! Elections!!! Congress Elections will take place at the September General Meetings in all co-ops. Congress Delegate positions are a 2 year term and elections are held in every odd numbered year. Start recruiting today! CSI Support & Development Services 3600 O’Donnell Street Suite 2 Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 342-8003
Thank you Charlotte Lann & Ethel Young for all you do for the Maryland Congress! Mark your Calendars! Congress Coordinators Meeting: October 6th @ 10am at BGV Fall Congress Meeting: November 11th @ 10am at RVC