Venetian eSplash – Voting Edition 8.21.2012
Be sure to cast your ballot—voting ends Monday, September 3, at 9 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions about Venetian Voting
Q: How do I vote in this year’s election?
A: This year you may vote on-line or with a paper ballot. The paper ballot may be downloaded from the Venetian website or can be found in the “Venetian Voting” folder at the front desk at the pool. On-line voting is through logging on to the Venetian website. For more complete instructions, look under Voting Matters on the website.
Q: How do I find out about the Board of Directors nominees and read the proposed By-Laws amendments?
A: Links to the pictures and statements of the Board of Directors nominees and to each of the proposed By-Laws may be found under Voting Matters, which is a menu selection under Members Only. You must log in to the Venetian website in order to see the Members Only tab. For those who tried to find it the first day, I apologize—I left a checkbox unchecked—and urge you to try again. This information is also be posted on the pool entrance bulletin board.
Q: How do I log into the Venetian website to see the Members Only material?
A: You need your username and password. Contact Sophia Brothers Peterman, communications@venetianpools.org , if you need to have them sent to you. The e-mail will come from Venetian Pools. After you log in, look in the upper left hand corner. On the black tool bar, it says “Venetian Pools”. When you hover over it, click on “Visit Site”, and it will take you back to the Venetian website, where you will be able to see the Members Only tab.
Q: How do I know if my on-line vote is submitted?
A: Be sure to click on Update Profile at the bottom of the page after casting your vote. To double-check that your vote has been saved, log back into the Venetian website and see if your vote is listed in your profile.
Q: Argh! I want to change my vote! Can I?
A: Relax—yes, you can. If you cast a paper ballot, you can submit another that is dated with a note that this one should be counted. You may also vote on-line—an on-line ballot will be counted instead of a paper ballot if a membership has submitted both. If you voted on-line, change your selection and click on Update Profile. The on-line votes will not be collected until 9 pm on September 3; they may be changed as often as desired until then.
Q: I corrected my information on my profile and hit Update Profile before voting. Did I just cast a blank ballot?
A: No, you are fine. The vote will be based on what is on your ballot in your profile at 9 p.m. on September 3. And thanks for making sure that your information is correct on your profile!
Q: Why are we being asked to vote on By-Laws amendments now? Hasn’t the Board approved amendments to the By-Laws in the past?
A: For a Membership vote, a quorum of at least 50% Membership votes is needed. In years past, this number of Membership votes has not been cast for annual elections, leaving the amendments for a Board vote. This year, with on-line voting, the Board thought that a quorum of Membership votes was possible and thus, wanted to offer the vote to the Membership.
Q: Does the Board have any recommendations regarding Amendments 11 and 12?
A: At the August Board meeting, the majority of the Board voted to recommend approval of Amendment 11 and Amendment 12.
Q: Why did the Board propose Amendment 11?
A: For the 2011 season, the dues structure was simplified to three categories: Family, Individual, and Senior Couple. This year the Membership committee and Board continued the discussion. The goal was to have a dues structure that was fair, consistent, easy to administer, and financially responsible. Amendment 11 was proposed after researching the dues structures of other pools in the area, two Venetian Town Halls and much member feedback. If passed, Amendment 11 would begin with the 2013 season.
Q: How would Membership dues and discounts be set?
A: As before, each year the Membership dues and discounts will be researched and recommended by the Ways & Means committee, which is chaired by the Treasurer. The Board of Directors reviews those recommendations and votes to set that year’s dues and discounts.
Q: I have a Family Membership—what would change if Amendment 11 passes?
A: If you do not currently have an Individual or Senior Couple Membership that is being grandfathered, then you will have a regular Membership. Those Memberships who have been members for 20 years or more will receive a Long Term Member Discount. Those Memberships with one or both adults 62 years old or older will receive a Senior Discount. Those Memberships eligible for both discounts will receive the Senior Discount, which will be the greater of the two.
Q: I have an Individual Membership or a Senior Couple Membership—what would change if Amendment 11 passes?
A: There will be no change in dues categories for people who currently have Individual or Senior Couple Memberships; their current dues categories will be grandfathered. No more Individual or Senior Couple Memberships would be granted with Amendment 11. However there would be Long Term Member Discounts or Senior Discounts on the regular Membership, if applicable.
Q: I am 62 years old or older—what would change if Amendment 11 passes?
A: Unless you currently have a grandfathered Individual Membership or a Senior Couple Membership, which are already discounted, you will receive a Senior Discount on a regular Membership.
Q: I have been a Venetian member for 20 years or more—what would change if Amendment 11 passes?
A: If you have a regular Membership, you would receive a Long Term Member Discount. If you have a regular Membership that is eligible for both the Long Term Member Discount and the Senior Discount, then you would receive the Senior Discount, which would be the greater of the two. Those who currently have an Individual Membership or a Senior Couple Membership would be grandfathered and have no change in dues category.
Q: Who is on the Membership Committee? How can I get on it?
A: The Membership Committee is currently chaired by Cheryl Graves, who is also the Vice-President. The six-member committee met monthly during the past year. Be sure to look for the e-Splash with the new 2012-2013 committee Chairs and volunteer for this committee if you are interested.
Q: Who is on the Ways and Means Committee? How can I get on it?
A: The Ways and Mean Committee is currently chaired by Angie Witz, who is also the Treasurer. Five VPCA members also served on this committee during the past year. Be sure to look for the e-Splash with the new 2012-2013 committee Chairs and volunteer for this committee if you are interested.
Q: Why did the Board propose Amendment 12?
A: The current situation that prompted this amendment is that the DeKalb County swim rules state that a child must be a member of a pool swim team in order to be on that pool’s swim team. Thus, as it stands now, a Venetian swim team employee or coach could not have his/her children on the Venetian swim team unless s/he is a member of the swim team. The Board and the Membership Committee wanted to make it possible for the children of a Venetian employee to be a member of the swim team while that person is employed by Venetian without having to have a full membership.
Q: If a quorum (250) of the Membership does not vote, what will happen with the proposed amendments?
A: The current Board will vote on each amendment during the Board meeting on Wednesday, September 5 (starting 7 p.m. in the Dance Hall at the pool).
Q: What will happen if either or both of the amendments do not pass?
A: No changes will be made by the current Board. Future Boards may or may not consider either or both amendments at a later time.
Q: Can I see the current Venetian By-Laws and its amendments?
A: Yes. Log onto the Venetian website, http://venetianpools.org . The link is found under Membership Matters, which is found under the Members Only tab.
Q: I have more questions—how do I get them answered?
A: Your questions are welcomed! Contact Sophia Brothers Peterman, communications@venetianpools.org , for any procedural questions or for your Venetian website username and password. Contact Flip Hager, president@venetianpools.org , and/or Cheryl Graves, Membership Chair and Vice-President, vicepresident@venetianpools.org for questions about the amendments.
Submitted by Sophia Brothers Peterman, communications@venetianpools.org