Monday, September 26, 2004
Joe Whitefield
Members of the Association. It is with honor that I have served you as a Director for 16 of the past 21 years. I was first selected by Jack Miller and George Eshelman in 1983 to join the board and help this organization grow in the right direction with new ideas. We made tremendous strides in the membership through new training, evaluating and the establishment of tiers. Until I joined, we did not have any of these procedures set to any degree but I help set them up and we have improved them each year since.
The present board continues to seek advice from me time to time which I have been more than happy to assist with. We are now cash flowing over $460,000 and this requires the financial acumen that I have and used it to begin the computerization of our financial records.
Being a strict constitutionalist, I rely heavily on our bylaws to govern our activity and to keep us legal and to operate within the scope of the law. I believe most of you know what policies and procedures I have been involved in over the years but what about the future? I have no personal agenda other than to help insure your goals in becoming a better umpire and working for NBUA.
Are there any issues? Yes and I am ready to address them in your behalf. Are you satisfied with your present tier? Are you getting assigned to games you are or are not ready for? Is there room to lower the 10 percent assessment on your earnings? Would you like to have a one on one evaluation of your tier placement? Are you getting quick, frank answers to your questions? There has been some slippage, operational errors and serious financial concerns by the Board that would not have occurred had I been there this past year.
These are just some of the issues to address but I need to be on the board to remedy the items. I have the strong desire and time to devote all my energies, integrity, stability, experience and knowledge required to be a productive board member in your behalf. I am asking for your vote and your faith that we can all work together for the betterment of the entire association. Please cast your vote to re-elect Joe, the right man.