Date: Fri 14-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

NHS-Band-Parents-Association

Full Text:

NHS Band Parents Amend Their By-Laws

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

The Newtown High School Band Parents Association set its course in a new

direction Tuesday night with a major revision to its by-laws.

From now on, all members of the association will be allowed to vote on all

issues concerning the association. For years, many complained that only a

small number of members, those in the steering committee, were allowed to

vote. However, following a lengthy meeting filled with heated debate, the

group emerged with new by-laws that allow all dues-paying members the right to

vote.

Of the 75-80 members in attendance in the NHS auditorium, only eight or nine

members voted against the change, according to Dennis Shanchuk, the

association's president.

Members of the association are hoping the change will help end a longstanding

power struggle among the parents. The disagreement most often centered on

fundraising money and how it would best be spent.

Mr Shanchuk said the amendment has left a brighter future for the band.

"I believe it will make us a stronger organization. I think more people will

step up to the plate to do more for the organization," he said. "It's a select

few who want control of the association."

"The more people you have involved in the group the more help you are going to

have," said member Rose McCullough. "We have definitely taken the authority

away from the small group."

Bridget Kellogg, a member of the steering committee, said the by-law changes

do allow for more of a say by members, but she says something has been lost.

"There is no longer a steering committee and the officers don't really have

any power. There is no stop-gap that prevents people from coming into a

meeting, plunking down their dues, voting on an issue they feel strongly

about, then getting up and walking out without feeling any responsibility to

do any more," she said. "Where does the buck stop? Anyone can come into a

meeting, shoot their mouth off, and leave."

Mrs Kellogg said she has headed several fundraising drives but has difficulty

getting parents to volunteer. She believes the success of Tuesday's meeting

will be measured in dollars and cents.

More than a year ago, a by-laws committee presented its amendments to the

general membership, but they included no changes in the voting rights of the

general membership, so the committee was told to re-write them. A year passed

with little word from the committee. When a general membership meeting was

called for Tuesday night, the by-laws committee showed up with few changes.

Angered, the general membership amended the rules and voted on them.