BCCLT Board Member Resigns Over Improper Meeting...

A member of the Land Trust's Board of Directors has resigned his position with the organization, because of a hastily and improperly called Annual Meeting.

More importantly, David Lybrand said in his resignation, is that the Board - more directly, it's Executive Director, Norma Jean Sawyer - aren't truly interested in addressing the organization's problems and shortcomings.

Here's the text of his resignation:

September 30, 2009

Tonight the BCCLT, without required notice (i.e., without notifying the BCCLT membership at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled date, and with a slate of candidates included in the notice) is holding an "annual meeting". I had expressed concern about holding this meeting without the required notice -- especially at a time when the BCCLT's operations are under intense scrutiny. I was assured by the Board President that it would be rescheduled.

Previously the Executive Director had claimed that the meeting had to be held during the 4th quarter of the Corporation's fiscal year. The by-laws only state that the Annual meeting be held in the 4th quarter of the year, with no implication that the year under discussion is the Corporation's "fiscal year" (which isn't mentioned in the by-laws until much later with respect to financial matters). Regardless, the Executive Director claims that her interpretation of this date trumps the by-laws requirement for adequate notice to the membership. Despite earlier assurances from the Board President to the contrary, today he capitulated and allowed the improper meeting to go forward.

Though it may seem to some that this is procedural trivia, the refusal to even BEGIN to make efforts to strictly follow the bylaws, especially under such intense scrutiny -- at a time when the BCCLT is insolvent and needs to be ultra-careful to do nothing new to exacerbate its reputation for playing loose with the rules of the game -- finally convinces me that my efforts to assist this organization toward resolving its many existing problems and working toward a successful future are of little or no perceived value to the organization.

At this improper annual meeting there is to be a vote on new directors. My own position on the Board was (arguably) up for a vote at this year's annual meeting.. Prior to this improper meeting's Board election, I withdrew my name from consideration for "renewal" on the Board. I also do not plan to renew my membership in the organization.

Effective immediately I will no longer be speaking for the BCCLT.

David Lybrand

Update: The current Land Trust President, Mr. Cecil Bain, put his foot down last night and insisted the Annual Meeting be postponed until Oct. 14, giving opportunity for proper notice to occur. Good for Mr. Bain - and cheers to David Lybrand for knowing what's proper and sticking to his guns about doing the correct thing.