DEMA Listening Session

[NetDoc]

In what appears to be an honest effort by DEMA to try and understand the recent surge of malcontent aimed at it and it's BOD, they conducted a Listening session today at the Rosen Center. Attending the session was the entire BOD sitting behind a table and maybe 20 or so people in the audience. 3X5 cards were passed out for us to write our names/businesses on so we could be recognized to speak. I did not intend to do anything but listen, so I left mine sitting on the chair.

The meeting was called to order and before we began, the reason for the special "rules" were explained. Apparently, this was DEMA's response to a legal request for disclosure. They apologized and indicated that they were as frustrated with the rules, but that they would follow their legal counsel in this matter. IOW: it's the lawyer's fault!

After this they asked for the cards. Only one was give: Rick Stratton, the owner of Northwest Dive News. Rick, apologized for his part in besmirching the reputation of the BOD and yet made it plain he was for term limits and one member/one vote.

It then became apparent that no one else wanted to speak. A couple of embarrassing minutes passed when another gentleman stepped forward, and indicated that he too was for term limits and one member/one vote.

After a few more awkward moments, I asked to speak. I told them that if a red dot appeared on my chest or face, I would be ducking, and then introduced myself as the evil internet! I then pointed out that the backlash they were experiencing was a combination of a sour economy, lack of transparency and a feeling of alienation by many of the members. I also pointed out that they could get defensive or use the opportunity to examine what really needed to change. I don't believe that most of us hate the BOD, and many of us believe that the resignation by Al did not solve a thing and just may, in fact, have obscured the real issues.

The meeting was adjourned and then SDI/TDI's Brian Carney spoke up to say just that he would be addressing the entire membership on Thursday, and did not want to address such a small crowd. (It was small).

The discourse after the meeting was far more productive. I was able to talk with Keith Sahm and Jim Byrem. I pointed out that DEMA needed to communicate a LOT better, as I found out about the meeting third hand. Keith disagreed with me flat out and pointed to a number of D-Mails and that it was on their web site. Given the fact that so few people were there, I would have to guess that if Keith was right, then we have the most apathetic organization in the world. Perhaps the timing was off and having this meeting on the eve of the Big Show was in error. On the other hand, possibly the dearth of members present was indeed a function of poor communications on their part! You be the judge. On a more conciliatory note, Jim assured me that there was absolutely no grudge being held against ScubaBoard and cited the fact that I often post opposing view points. It was good to hear that, but frankly: I think there is still a bit of distrust among the BOD. I get the idea that they think the internet is a great passing fad, but really not that important to business.

Thursday's meeting will be interesting. I will again attempt to be silent and try to absorb what each side is saying. I certainly hope that we have more peeps come out either for or against. We certainly did not enjoy a quorum this afternoon!

[JaneDiver]

Suggestion. It would be very helpful if people of the USI attending DEAM meetings would report via internet right there. Or perhaps Twitter? Then those of us who cannot be there in person can at least follow along and even make suggestions or pose questions. Just a thought.

[NetDoc]

Jane if you have any thoughts or questions for Thursday's meeting, please feel free to PM me or to voice them right here.

[Divin'Hoosier]

Thanks for speaking up Pete. I'm actually quite shocked it was so sparsely attended and that so few spoke. Hopefully the session later this week will be much more eventful.

I look forward to following the events via SB. I'm not a dive professional but I am a Divemaster. I assist a couple of instructors essentially on a volunteer basis. I am, however, keenly interested in the scuba industry and have been following the recent events. I hope to be able to keep up on the goings-on in Orlando vicariously via the Evil Internet!

[DiveNav]

.........The meeting was called to order and before we began, the reason for the special "rules" were explained. Apparently, this was DEMA's response to a legal request for disclosure. They apologized and indicated that they were as frustrated with the rules, but that they would follow their legal counsel in this matter. IOW: it's the lawyer's fault! ...

I read the rules .... OMG !
During my career I have been on Boards of much powerful organizations where way more money was at stake and we NEVER let attorneys dictate us how to run our meetings. To me this is another sign of weak management.

......I pointed out that DEMA needed to communicate a LOT better, as I found out about the meeting third hand. Keith disagreed with me flat out and pointed to a number of D-Mails and that it was on their web site....
I am a DEMA member .... but checking daily DEMA website is not on the top of my priorities list .... I learned about Thursday meetings on ScubaBoard !
On the other hand, when they want, they know how to use emails .... in fact, the ONLY email I received from DEMA recently (few days ago) was the reminder to renew my membership. This tells you where DEMA priorities are :(

...... I get the idea that they think the internet is a great passing fad, but really not that important to business....
DEMA needs a strong wake up call on this matter ....
Let me tell you an anecdote ...recently I was talking with a business associate and his son (~15 years old) was with us.
We were discussing how the Internet is going to change - even more - the training side of the SCUBA industry and somehow the eBay name came out.
When he heard eBay, his son became more interested and participated in our conversation. When he realized that eBay was founded not long ago he made a very simple but profound statement ...."How did we (me and his father) DO before eBay?"
I believe that we can translate his question to "How did we DO before the Internet?"

This kid represent the next generation of SCUBA divers.
We (and DEMA) need to understand them, get ready for them and make diving interesting for them.

Alberto

[Jim Lapenta]

I really would like to know if they are going to do anything about the one vote one company and if they will take a step back from all the exotic trips and really start to promote local diving. We don't have all the pretty fishes but what we do have are places that people can really work on their skills and actually become better divers as opposed to the "Underwater Tourists", yes you can call them that and credit it to me, that they seem to be going after now that really DO NOT BENEFIT the shops and manufacturers that DEMA is supposed to represent. And just out of curiosity why does it seem that although there were people at the meeting they were hesitant to speak out? Is the BOD that intimidating. I've never seen any of them but I can pretty much bet that I most likely would have gotten thrown out for not shutting my mouth and asking too many questions and demanding straight answers. No Political BS just " ARe you going to give equal representation? YES or NO. Period. Are you going to institute REAL term limits? YES OR NO. Why may be asked after those things but just like politicians if you even give them a hint that they can weasel, squirm, or lie then you have already screwed any chance of getting a straight answer.

[NetDoc]

Jim,

The Board did not answer one single comment or question at this event. It was designed for them to LISTEN only.

But more to the point: People who have signed the petition have been approached by DEMA staff and asked why they are trying to sabotage DEMA. WOW. I know it's the tendency to vilify those who disagree with you and I have been made aware of friends on the BOD wonding why I didn't just call them before I posted my piece on "Be a Diver". I suspect that many who would like to speak out simply won't due to the perception that they will be labeled a trouble maker, as it seems I have been. Now why the low attendence? Here is what I gathered today in an informal poll.

I talked with 43 people today that indicated that they are a DEMA member. Each one was asked a series of questions and while this does not represent a scientific poll, the results were amazing.

question|Yes|No|Other
Did you know about Listening Meeting yesterday?|2|40|1 (after the fact)
Do you know about the upcoming DEMA Members Meeting on Thursday?|25|18|--
Are you planning on going?|2|20|21 (not sure)
Do you get DEMAil?|37|2|4 (not sure)
Did you find out about the first meeting from DEMA?|1|42|--
Did you find out about the second meeting from DEMA?|4|21|18 (did not know)
Do you know about the Unified Diving Industry meeting tomorrow?|24|9|2-organizers 8-Did not ask!

For those who did know and didn't or aren't attending, I asked them why. The predominant answer was that they just didn't care because DEMA did not affect them at all. They are here to SELL and will not get sidetracked by something that can not help or hurt them. Wow.

[cerich]

Jim,

The Board did not answer one single comment or question at this event. It was designed for them to LISTEN only.

.

well when they need a lawyer to tell them how to listen and we need a lawyer to figure out how their lawyer wants us to talk to them I can ONLY conclude they don't want to listen and they don't want us to talk. To draw any other conclusion is simply stupid.

IMHO it was designed so they can assert they tried to listen but we didn't want to talk, as "no one" showed up to speak...I got as much today from a couple DEMA BOD members, I disagree and did. The held the meeting the day before the show opened, MANY visiting members had not even arrived and MANY exhibiting members were busy getting their booths ready. The session was 2-PM on the last day of set up, which ended at 5 PM, we HAD to be set up by then.... Which had the priority to us? being ready to rock today obviously. Not only do not all the exhibitors have a staff to do set up but I saw some owners and Presidents/CEO's of some VERY BIG companies in the industry sweating their butts off setting up their booths. The disconnect from the reality of the industry they are supposed to represent is horrific.

[mike_s]

well when they need a lawyer to tell them how to listen and we need a lawyer to figure out how their lawyer wants us to talk to them I can ONLY conclude they don't want to listen and they don't want us to talk. To draw any other conclusion is simply stupid.

IMHO it was designed so they can assert they tried to listen but we didn't want to talk, as "no one" showed up to speak...I got as much today from a couple DEMA BOD members, I disagree and did. The held the meeting the day before the show opened, MANY visiting members had not even arrived and MANY exhibiting members were busy getting their booths ready. The session was 2-PM on the last day of set up, which ended at 5 PM, we HAD to be set up by then.... Which had the priority to us? being ready to rock today obviously. Not only do not all the exhibitors have a staff to do set up but I saw some owners and Presidents/CEO's of some VERY BIG companies in the industry sweating their butts off setting up their booths. The disconnect from the reality of the industry they are supposed to represent is horrific.

sounds to me like they scheduled exactly when they wanted to..... (if you know what I mean).


20 people.... that's pretty bad.


thanks for the report Pete.

[DiveNav]

NetDoc: Do you know about the Unified Diving Industry meeting tomorrow?

Where? When?

AM

[cerich]

NetDoc: Do you know about the Unified Diving Industry meeting tomorrow?

Where? When?

AM

8:30 am at the show upstairs, heading there now!

[NetDoc]

It's actually the DEMA meeting and is well attended. Too funny!

[NetDoc]

Tom claims that the Be a Diver campaign has had 35 Billion impressions. Not a typo.

Their mix of advertising EXCLUDES the Internet (oh my!) They completely excluded it! Un-Steenkeeng-believable.

[HowardE]

Tom claims that the Be a Diver campaign has had 35 Billion impressions. Not a typo.

Their mix of advertising EXCLUDES the Internet (oh my!) They completely excluded it! Un-Steenkeeng-believable.

Maybe he means hits (which are images, loads, pages, etc - not a good measure of internet traffic)? With an alexa rank of 2.9 Million.... I wouldn't gauge that site too successful.

In comparison... demashow.com - the site that HASN'T been marketed to the masses is ranked 480,000

[NetDoc]

Only 20,000 users have accesses DEMA's Be a Diver shop locator in the last 17 months (inception).

In the shop example, they showed that for $2,200 they gained 29 divers.

[NetDoc]

No, these were NOT web stats, but stats about TV and Radio. They don't do internet. Maybe he means hits (which are images, loads, pages, etc - not a good measure of internet traffic)? With an alexa rank of 2.9 Million.... I wouldn't gauge that site too successful.

In comparison... demashow.com - the site that HASN'T been marketed to the masses is ranked 480,000

[NetDoc]

By my count there are well over 300 peeps in this room.

23 minutes left in the meeting and it's now open to others.

Bob Hollis: 70s and 80s were our gravy years. OW certs have declined since the 90s. He is proposing three initiatives.

1) A study on how to improve diving $
2) A study on how to help retailers
R) 3 DEMA meetings

[Divin'Hoosier]

This is great. Play-by-play from my office in Indianapolis. Gotta love ScubaBoard!

[PhilEllis]

Tom claims that the Be a Diver campaign has had 35 Billion impressions. Not a typo.

Their mix of advertising EXCLUDES the Internet (oh my!) They completely excluded it! Un-Steenkeeng-believable.

So, 35 BILLION impressions and we STILL can't convince people to learn to dive and purchase dive equipment? Damn, I would LOVE to know their idea as to how that happens!

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

[NetDoc]

Susan Long is now speaking on behalf of þhe recent petition.

She has asked for an answer to the petition by the end of The day.

Brian Carney has suggested that he represents the NEW generation. He is promoting INCLUSION and not isolation.

He.is passioately arguing each point of the petition and is pointing towards terrible communication by DEMA.

All three were followed by clapping.

[NetDoc]

Tom Ingram asked Oceanic if they pulled off of the petition and then read a statement that ScubaPro did pull their name off the list.

Chris Richardson, then got up to explain how upset he was that Tom was trying to get people to reconsider their position. He then stressed that this petition was in SUPPORT of DEMA and not against it.

[NetDoc]

Al Hornsby has resigned and feels that there is too much drama.

[Peter Guy]

I belong to the United States Dressage Federation -- which is the "National Affiliate Group" of Dressage people (riders, trainers, teachers, etc.). The organization has been given the primary job, amongst other things, of coordinating the pipeline of people for the US National Equestrian Team -- i.e., the people who go to the Olympics to represent the US. (This is an over simplification but let's go with it.) It is also the "premier" organization which tries to coordinate the training of the trainers/teachers, oversees the competitions (along with a "step-parent" organization, the United States Equestrian Federation).

In other words, the USDF is attempting to be the "Go To Organization" for Dressage -- a sport which makes the money we spend on Scuba look like pocket change.

Guess what -- the issues are almost exactly the same! The Board doesn't listen. The Board isn't responding to the needs of the members. The dues are too high for what we get in return. The Board is too insular. The Organization isn't doing anything positive to grow the sport. The Organization isn't using the Internet to capture new people. (Actually, in 1999 the Organization's BB was THE "Go To" place for people throughout the world to come and discuss issues -- the "ScubaBoard" of Dressage -- but due to Y2K issues, the Organization decided rather than upgrade its BB, it would drop it because it didn't want to be bothered with all those people!)

I've been involved with the governance of the USDF for 5+ years now and have been pushing one issue for 4+ years -- transparency in governance. After 4 years, 4 Conventions, too many meetings to contemplate, too many emails to count (and too many "Peter is a PITA!" comments), it looks like the Organization is finally going to, at least in theory, open up according to my origninal proposal. Quite frankly it took working within the system, and working without the system, to get this done. And this includes setting up a parallel communications system for communicating with the Delegates (we have an Executive Board which is elected by the Delegates who are elected by the general membership) which REALLY pissed off the Organization and the Executive Board.

Sometimes it takes a very squeaky wheel to get things done AND it takes a long time and continuous followthrough by the squeaker.

While many of you (DEMA members) have been squeaking, I think you need to think in a much longer time horizon. I know you are up to your a$$es in alligators, but the goal is still to drain the swamp.

Go ahead, and fend off the 'gators for now, but please, don't forget you need to continue to work on draining the swamp tomorrow, the day after and the year after that.

Just my always, and ever so humble, opinion and advice.

[mdb]

Pete:

Thank you for keeping us posted. Looking forward to hearing your comments now that the meeting has concluded.

[RJP]

Tom claims that the Be a Diver campaign has had 35 Billion impressions. Not a typo.

No, these were NOT web stats, but stats about TV and Radio. They don't do internet.



That just ain't possible...

I've been in the advertising agency business for quite some time and I can assure you that I have NEVER heard the word "BILLION" associated with number of impressions on ANY ad campaign ever - and I'm talking about McDonalds, Coke, GM, etc.

As I mentioned in another thread for context, a typical Super Bowl ad hits 100 million viewers. So in order to generate 35 billion exposures you'd need to run a Super Bowl ad every year for 350 YEARS in order to generate 35 billion exposures.

[RJP]

As I mentioned in another thread for context, a typical Super Bowl ad hits 100 million viewers. So in order to generate 35 billion exposures you'd need to run a Super Bowl ad every year for 350 YEARS in order to generate 35 billion exposures.



For further context, just to show the absurdity of the "35 billion" claim...

There are 305 million people in the US. So in order to get 35 billion exposures, you would need to hit every man, woman and child in the US 115 times.

Anyone here see the "Be A Diver" ad 115 times?

"I BELIEVE!"

:shakehead:

[PhilEllis]

Tom Ingram asked Oceanic if they pulled off of the petition

Pete, what was the response from Bob Hollis?

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

[Jim Lapenta]

I just had to look up Tom Ingram to see why he seems to intimidate so many big names in the industry. What kind of dirt does he have on these people? He's about as threatening looking as a dead groundhog.

[mdb]

Bob Stood by his original commitment.

Bob is one of the "real deal" grandfathers of SCUBA.

He is was one of the very first divers on the wreck of the Andrea Doria. The entire Hollis family is totally involved and committed to diving.

No BOD would intimidate Bob Hollis.

Now a vote; using the old rules, multiple votes for those with the most $.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. A call for change has been made.

I have heard that the DEMA BOD had their backs to their audience. If that is true it
speaks volumes.

If there is no real change there will be no DEMA.

[Thalassamania]

Bob Hollis is definately the real deal.

[NetDoc]

The question flummoxed Bob. He restated clearly that he signed the petition and stated his position.

Tom asked him twice which clearly confused Bob since he had no intention of doing so.

Later today, about 2:30, Tom Ingram released a press release indicating that they will be initiating a vote on each point on the petition.

[mdb]

Pete:

Thank You for your DEMA reports.

Tom Ingram certainly cannot intimidate Bob Hollis.

Bob is a true dive legend. Bob Hollis has been there and done that long before most of us even started learning to dive. I have always admired his courage and commitment to diving. I am fortunate to know him personally.

Thank you Bob for still supporting our industry and taking your time to attend the meeting.

[NetDoc]

I will be sure that Bob gets to read this.

[Thalassamania]

I second that. I've know Bob since the days when he had the Anchor Shack on Jackson Blvd and Oceanic was my favorite camera and housing manufacturer a few block away. This industry needs more BH and less BS.

[DA Aquamaster]

During my career I have been on Boards of much powerful organizations where way more money was at stake and we NEVER let attorneys dictate us how to run our meetings. To me this is another sign of weak management.I agree. Responsive management that is committed to organizational growth and change will focus on communication and building relationships. Hunkering down behind legal counsel will not get the job done.

But to be fair the BOD may not recognize that. I see it in my own organization as well as in those I evaluate and organizations get in a rut where they do the same thing they have always done becuase they feel that either it works for them, or even if it does not that it is safe as they will not be judged badly or blamed if things go down hill. It is a very conservative attitude and one shared by many attornies who will give equally conservative legal counse designed to advise the client to do nothing in the belief that this is the best way to do no harm and to ensure that they are better ael to defend in any legal action that follows.

The problem is that those conservative approaches do nothing to promote communcation, relationship building or organizational growth and improvement.

The irony is of course that the transparency, communication and relationship building that is avoided by an organization in order to defend themselves from citicism or legal action is exactly the thing that leads to those things. Even if an organization makes a mistake, if it has solid relationships with its stakeholders, communicates well and is transparent in why it did what it did (with presumably good intentions), the response is usually one of support and committment to learn from it and move forward with the result that legal action and career ending consequences are avoided as the stakeholders have no reason to pursue those options as they simply aren't needed in sytems with open and effective communication.

But BOD's have to stop listening to their legal counsel and start actually leading to ever see that.

[Leadking]

My comments about the meeting:
The meeting was to be about what DEMA accomplished in the last year. That should have been pulled from the agenda as that is not what the room wanted to discuss
There was not a way for me to speak as you had to be a current DEMA member to address a question
Al Hornsby's statement that the problem could be have been handled with a phone conversation does not ring true. People have been talking, DEMA just doesn't listen
Tom Ingram made a serious mistake by taking sides and trying to push Hollis into a corner. He is an administrator, he should not take sides.
Cerich did a great job pointing out that even though Scubapro wished to have their name removed from the petition it still left hundreds on it


I like one company/one vote. I do not agree with Hollis on voting outside your group and discussed it with him after the meeting and then Nestor Palmero came up and reinterated it to Bob.

I don't know how will turn out in the long run as the dissidents need to develop a firmer direction.

[cerich]

:The meeting was to be about what DEMA accomplished in the last year. That should have been pulled from the agenda as that is not what the room wanted to discuss
.

it reinforced among many I spoke with after that indeed DEMA has in fact "accomplished" very little and remains committed to a failed agenda.

[mdb]

Delete_double post

[mdb]

The current BOD's elected the "old boy", as good a guy as he is, they then refused to resign to reset the agenda. Just more of the same. Sad.

The attempt at a Unified Dive Industry was certainly worth a try.

[cerich]

The current BOD's elected the "old boy", as good a guy as he is, they then refused to resign to reset the agenda. Just more of the same. Sad.

The attempt at a Unified Dive Industry was certainly worth a try.

I'm finally home, after 8 days away I just got to kiss my little girl goodnight and am looking forward to soon being out like a light myself.

I have MANY comments I want to make and will be posting as soon as I catch up. It was a solid show for EDGE, not so much for everyone however.

There are a thousands things to discuss and some serious lifting that needs to get done if we are going to avoid a near complete collapse of the industry. Yeah I REALLY think it is that serious.:( IMHO We have a choice of bad (at least 3 more years like 2009 "IF" the econmy doesn't in fact get worse)and horrible where we have a decade or more of this in the dive industty EVEN if the economy is in recovery. There is ZERO question that the current path of the industry as a whole and our marketing associations will make the second a certainty if not changed. (however DEMA won't make it to enjoy the full fruits of their labours)

I'm pretty sure we can salvage at least part of the industry and get that part firmly in the 3 year camp...but it won't be easy, then again what is?

My last words to Jim, the new DEMA president is I would prefere to put six times the effort into helping DEMA than another minute spent on a f & * % ^ ing petition... however I won't wait for his call. I like him (qite a bit actually) but suspect they (DEMA) will be tied up in polics as usual to show some indications of sucess while lacking any concrete manifestations of actual sucesss.

THE UDF petition may end up as not getting everything asked for, thats OK because it showed me and others that there is at least a good percentage of us that are quite willing to fight for the industry. So we will.

Everybody have a great couple days. I plan on doing some serious work this week with EDGE and getting a couple days of diving in as well:D After that I have some ideas and quite frankly I will be looking to have others join me.

[NetDoc]

I have been PMed and E-Mailed by several, asking what my take is on all of this. I will try to keep this lucid and not amble off in too many directions. First, let's take a look at what DEMA is predicated on:


Mission Statement: To promote sustainable growth in safe recreational diving and snorkeling while protecting the underwater environment.
Purpose: DEMA exists to serve its members by identifying key issues that affect the growth and success of the scuba and snorkeling industry. It is the united voice that speaks on behalf of the sport and its operational function is to create focused programs that positively affect the industry.
Promise: DEMA fosters the highest levels of cooperation and professional standards among all the constituent groups who make up the scuba diving industry. DEMA delivers membership value by promoting an ongoing, powerful, consumer-focused image of scuba diving and providing information and tools that assist its members’ focus on reaching, communicating to and affecting the consumer.You can read even more at About DEMA (http://dema.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1)

When you read the above and the "Goals" portion on About DEMA (http://dema.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1), you can't help but agree with their premise and direction. They sound noble! However, I just don't see the execution and unfortunately, they just don't see their failure at executing these points.

I fully agree with Leadking that there needs to be a "firmer direction", however I kind of bristle at his use of the noun "dissidents". The point of this has never been that of sycophantic and gratuitous dissent. On the contrary, the emphasis has been to get DEMA back to it's roots of benefiting the entire industry and not just a few. Many of us, myself included, feel disenfranchised and like we are on the outside looking in at all the cool kids who get to have all the fun. It is my feeling that the BoD has a hard time seeing this dichotomy and even accepting it. I also feel that they have come a long way in that they are sincerely trying to understand what led up to these events. In that vein, let me help them out:



It's the Economy, DEMA! Local Dive Shops need (y)our help! They are frustrated by rules that seem to benefit those willing to break them. They need to learn more about how to approach and use the internet. While I did not see any of the internet presentations, those of the past concentrated on a Webmaster level and not on a noob user level. While they gave lip service to social networking, they completely missed giving them the tools to really make some headway as well as financial gains.
Learn to Communicate! DEMA is horrible at it! That there were less than 20 people at the listening session and that many of the people attending the Thursday meeting thought that they were there for the Unified Dive Industry simply speaks volumes! Many I have talked to see DEMAIL as just more spam. Relying on it and other e-mail driven communications is just so "nineties".
Learn to Listen! Many of my fellow instructors teach "Situational Awareness" to keep bad things from happening and you should develop that in the business environment. The BoD is comprised of very successful businessmen. You need to remember back when you were quite small and what you really needed to succeed. Share! After all, we are in this thing together.
Anticipate Consequences. Anyone should have been able to see how the elimination of term limits was going to play out. There is no need to use the excuse that hindsight is 20/20 here as it was obvious from the start. I think it's great that we are revisiting this, but if we had had better communications at the onset, then more businesses would have voted on it! Perhaps By Law changes should require a quorum in order to pass? That would put a premium on communicating the need for a change to the entire DEMA membership.
Don't let the Tail wag the Dog! One of the biggest criticisms has been about Tom appearing to take sides during this controversy. As far as I can tell, his role, along with the entire executive side of DEMA, should be that of adviser only. The executive side works for the Board of Directors (the membership) and not the other way around. That's not the perception among the membership that I know.
Be Fair. Really. It often seems that there is a "Good ol' Boys" network going on. Free booths, free air fare, free this and that only fuel the fire. I hear that this is a quid pro quo, but I am less than convinced. The trade outs seem dubious at best and as I said fuel the fire for those who feel left out. In this respect, perception is everything.
I am NOT your enemy. Really (#2). This is just as much MY DEMA as it is YOUR DEMA. You can ignore me, but I am not inclined to just go away. Yes, I have been reassured that the BoD has nothing personal against me, and I find some solace in that. Still, the overall perception by many of my colleagues is that my opinions are not wanted or appreciated.

[NetDoc]

What has happened so far:
Jim Byrem has been elected Chairman of the BoD.
The BoD has accepted the petition from it's members.

Also, the BoD has agreed to
Revisit Term Limits
Hold an election to fill Al Hornsby's vacated spot.
Initiate research into the ramifications of adopting "One member, One vote".

ScubaBoard has also agreed to move this forum into our Business to Business area. I will allow 24 more hours for it to exist here and then it will be moved. If you want access, you must prove you are a Scuba related business.