SOME CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL REORGANIZATION
From Sintra, Portugal, 13 October

There has been some concern expressed that a recommendation will be made during the Rally 2006 Council of President’s annual meeting to eliminate area directors and leave governance to a three (3) person group, effectively creating a clique and the potential for unfairness.

Some are already speculating about approaches and structures needed for strategic plan implementation. It will be important, within the Council’s democratic form of governance, to guard against unwise actions, and particularly those pertaining to perspectives related to strategic planning, Council organization and structure, and similar issues.

Chapter presidents who will not attend the annual meeting are urged to appoint a representative armed with a written proxy, someone passionate about Council affairs and familiar with the issues, and with authority and knowledge to vote for the chapter. It would be appropriate for the chapter to fund, in full or in part, the convention expenses. The Council’s future is going to be decided in Sacramento and all chapters should have and cast a vote.

Sintra is a delightful village with a landscape that juts sharply upwards. It is covered in dense forest, and marks the end of the west coast at Cabo da Roca–the westernmost part of Europe not counting the Azores. The Sintra hills offer the promise of a journey into times past. In the heart of the town, which is some forty kilometers northwest of Lisbon, there are still traces of the Muslim occupancy of Portugal, with houses with open patios surrounding fountains.

The National Palace is situated in the main square, in the midst of arcades, ceramic tile decor, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and romantic buildings. Little is known of its roots, although there are those who claim that it was inhabited by Arab chiefs. The palace’s Gothic chimneys are a sign that the court of the early Aviz dynasty spent much of their time there in some splendor. Eye-catching, the chimneys are gigantic cones and can be seen for miles.

In spite of the many different views and opinions on the question, the palace was undoubtedly enlarged during the reign of King Dinis. What is also certain is that members of the court spent part of their leisure time there from the time of the Troubadour King. It was in the palace that the first expedition to Ceuta was planned.

One could almost imagine the governors of the day planning and organizing future events from this particular location and structure.

Nearby is the Palacio Da Pena, a castle located on top of a nearby peak. What is left of the grey ramparts of the Moorish Castle snakes through the green forest. Such was the center of area management beginning in the eighth or ninth century.

Beginning later this month, our castle will be the Lions Gate hotel in North Highlands. And just like the ancestors, we will be gathering there to do the Council’s business. It is a fitting location, beautiful, and almost guaranteed to provide the ambiance needed for effective decision-making.

Issues concerning whether we should have a statewide group at all, what it should do for the chapters, how it will be organized and controlled, who will be providing future leadership, are all likely to be raised. Chapter presidents should make a maximum effort to attend; at the same time, providing a chapter representative with proxy authorization will really be critical at this 2006 annual meeting.

Comments RSS