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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Someone just asked me when the officers for the GPC were elected and was there a recent election? I could not answer the question. I don't really recall there ever being any election but since we have officers there must have been one. Can someone clarify this for me?


As I recall, The GPC is now defined as a multinational organization in that members come from Canada and the USA and other countries. The basic stated purpose of the GPC is to promote giant pumpkin growing. As I recall, The GPC is to be overseen by an Executive Committee which replaced the initial Steering Committee and which at the start had 5 officers. Each of these officers was to come from separate regions which will include the USA and Canada. The members in each region, by way of their representatives, nominate growers for a regional vote, and then later elect, one officer to the Executive Committee. Each of these officers is to serve a four year term. Each weighoff site will have up to three votes which will be cast by their club representative, by the site representative and the site coordinator. The club representative and the site coordinator will be chosen by the local club members. The site representative will be chosen by the site(which as an example in the case of the PGPGA would be Sam's Club). At the first meeting of the Executive Committee following an election, the members of the Executive Committee will determine by a vote who will be the President, Secretary and so on of the GPC for the next year. A member of the Executive Committee can serve for two consecutive terms, if reelected for a secone term, and then must be off the Executive Committee for one term (4 years) but may serve again after that if elected. These are the basic elements of the bylaws as I understand them.

Have we ever had an election?

12/11/2011 4:38:07 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Marv I don't know the official process but I can tell you that within the last 12 months I was contacted to vote on our GPC rep's term renewal (Andy).

12/11/2011 10:21:25 PM

New Zealand

woh! are you growing pumpkins or running for president

12/12/2011 3:03:33 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

There was also a semi-recent vote to split the midwest and elevate Gary Grande (the Wiz) and Don Young, to regional reps...

12/12/2011 3:50:19 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Hey man. I am neither growing pumpkins nor running for office. I specialize in tomatoes now. Old rockin chair has got me. I cannot lift even a 300 pound pumpkin any longer. Maybe the problem with elections etc is that they are not advertised enough relative to voting, outcome etc. Maybe I just missed it all?
Marv

12/12/2011 8:49:49 AM

Rhode Island

marv
as a former gpc executive committee member representing new england region i can honestly say the gpc (during my term )made appropriate attempts at following the bylaws with regard to electing regional reps however, like any volunteer organization? things dont always work out as planned.

in many cases (regions) ? no one wants the job to begin with.being a gpc rep is not just a title. its work,meetings,responsibilities, committments,etc.if it was just a title everyone would want it.

i for one would not support rocking the gpc boat with fact finding questions.they dont deserve that.to many hours have been spent working together to build this organization to what it represents today.

dave stelts and his crew of volunteers (yes many are hand picked and voted on by current staff, for reasons i mentioned above )have done a fantastic job of building the gpc site totals to over 90 sites world wide.

this year they are planning a seminar at las vegas as well
(this will accomodate west coast area growers who for years had to travel east to niagara falls for the seminar)

bravo to this great organization.
Pap

12/12/2011 9:03:44 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Pap: Nobody ever said that that the GPC was not a great organization or that the people on the board of the GPC were not doing a good job or that being on the board was not a work of love or that it was easy. All I asked was, were they elected by the membership? It looks to me like the answer is no they were not. According to you they were self appointed. The GPC is a not-for-profit organization with lots of members, handling finances and making decisions that affect all of the members. By the bylaws the members of the board were to be elected by the membership. You are saying they were hand picked by those already on the steering committee. If people on the board are able to appoint themselves or their buddies, would this not ultimately result in a "good old boys club?' And does this not take away the rights of the members to select their leadership? If everyone is happy with this arrangement then so be it. The bylaws would need to be changed though to reflect this arrangement in order to make it legal. I know of no other organization that operates in this manner. And please do not attack me as I am only the bearer of the message. At least I can now explain to my friend how it is working. Again, do not kill the messenger. Pointing out the dog turd on the floor does not mean you put it there.

12/12/2011 1:12:44 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Funny how now we are compared to a dog turd.
Seriously? Marv.....thankz for the compliment ....lol.

12/12/2011 2:02:34 PM

Joliet, IL

Lol WizZy Boy....gotta love this time of year....Happy HolidaZe! Keep up the great work GPC brotherz and sisterz behind the scenes! Merry Xmas ole WiZe one!!!

12/12/2011 2:26:16 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

No respect Marvin and at Christmas time too. Coal in your sock again Marvin .... again!!!

12/12/2011 2:26:28 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Seriously, if you've got some time on your hands...then consider organizing your own regulatory body and call it the Giant Tomato Commonwealth (GTC).

Make your efforts worthwhile and into the specific fruit you are interested in (Tomatos) and leave the GPC (Pumpkins) to do what they do.

12/12/2011 2:29:11 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I did not think what I had to say would go over well. But, I think it had to be said. And Wiz, I don't think I referred to anyone as being a dog turd? Kill the messenger but it is what it is. The GPC officers are self appointed. No way around that. And if that is what everyone wants, okay. I am off to my tomato patch. Marv

12/12/2011 2:48:20 PM

[email protected]

Marv
I was asked to put my name in to join the GPC. If the GPC was a good old boys club, I wouldn't be there nor would most of the others, cause it's about pumpkins not politics.

12/12/2011 3:02:52 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Amelio, can you help me here? Now even Iceman is on me.
Marv

12/12/2011 3:05:19 PM

Western NY

Hi Marv -

To answer your question (at least in regards to our region), I'm not sure how I originally joined back in 2006. I know I was suggested to the committee at the time by someone, and I was asked to give a brief description of my "pumpkin resume". Not sure who was consulted prior to my arrival.

13 months ago today, an email was sent to the sites in my region for an up/down vote on keeping me involved for another 4 years. You and Larry were the ones for Altoona who were contacts. I don not believe Brandon Peters was consulted. You replied positively.

I have 3 years left, unless I get tired of it all and decide to just stay home and grow pumpkins prior to that point. When that day comes rest assured you and Larry will again be contacted, this time for a suggestion to name my replacement.

Andy

12/12/2011 3:20:20 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Marv,

I know that Joe Scherber was the regional rep and treasurer for the GPC. Jim Sherwood was voted as the replacement treasurer (picking up those extra duties), and the area for which I represent voted me in as the area rep. The area was divided up more to allow for better representation.

Those in that area (site representatives in those states) voted for WiZ to represent their area, I dont know how many, but I have been asked to vote in such a way as well for or against over the last 6 years.
I do know there where several others that were nominated prior to me that didn’t want the nomination (the headache of doing GPC stuff). After I said yes I wanna be a turd, they voted and said YES< letZ have WIZ be our local area turd. Then we volunteer once on the committe to do stuff to make it all work out. Like Matt this year.... he did the job of awards and ribbons... lots of hard work, through out the entire growing season, and a fine job he did as well!

12/12/2011 3:26:50 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Fact is we could all spend that time out doing local club stuff, or better yet, just growing for ourselves. I have learned a lot since I started as a GPC rep. What I have learned the most was now I have even more respect for the committee and its members and the processes they go thru to do it right. And its not easy either! I am proud to be a GPC rep, and honored as well!

The process the GPC goes thru to "decide" on changes is what really impressed me the most. The processes are there, the mission statement is what empowers them to keep focused on what they do, and what they can’t do. This group of members is a well rounded and diverse bunch. All high energy and bleed pumpkin... well a few bleed squash, but they all have the best interests for our hobby in mind, and give up their time for the help of others wanting to make this hobby better. Not for personal gain........ then another group will come along and do the same, all from our grower base to keep up what others (previous committee members) have built upon before us..., no good ole boys at all.

Marv, you typed your analogies in this thread, did someone else force you to hit those keys on the keyboard? What else did you expect?

12/12/2011 3:26:56 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Wiz: To begin with, I simply asked how the members of the Executive Committee got there. Pap said they were hand picked. To me this was interpreted as meaning they were not chosen by the membership but rather by the Executive Committee. That is not consistant with the bylaws, if that is how it took place. Andy, I recall being contacted about you and I have no problem with you whatsoever, except for the fact that you were not nominated by the voting individuals in our region. That is not your problem and I know you work hard as do the other members of the committee. And I thank you for that. Bottom line for me is that I think the nomination and election of members of the Executive Committee should take place as outlined in the bylaws. Or, change the bylaws. Based on what I have been told, the bylaws thus far, have not been followed. End of story. If that upsets people, I understand that, I only brought it up because I felt it needed to be brought up.

12/12/2011 4:03:04 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Iceman were like two turdz in a pod

12/12/2011 4:16:35 PM

Joliet, IL

Lubadub dub....2 turds in the tub! Lol. Wiz and Ice are floaters....lol....lol.....lol....love you guyz...lol

12/12/2011 5:26:09 PM

Nicholls Georgia

and this is why i just do it for fun and who is the rep for ga?

12/12/2011 6:25:38 PM

Rhode Island

marv i think you better have someone read and explain what i said in my reply above.your just not correct even in your review of my message.your trying to make it sound like i said all gpc executives were hand picked and thats just not true.
get the facts straight before attempting to start trouble for a great organization like the gpc.
it might be advisable to hold up in your foxhole and stop firing bombs. no one cares.
why stir up the pot? just to sit back and have a laugh?
no ones laughing.

12/12/2011 6:46:51 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Seems to be a pattern with this fella pap....just another persons that does not grow pumpkins that wants to stir the pot for the rest of the folks here...

Like I said, got time on your hands and want to make a differance...start your own Tomato committee and put your efforts to good use rather than try and bring others down to your level...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=381548

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=381548

Seems you've been crying foul for several years...

12/12/2011 7:01:17 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Merry Xmas to all and to all a good night. Marv

12/12/2011 7:11:34 PM

South East

Yep,,,its winter for sure!! lol

12/12/2011 7:30:31 PM

Madera, CA

Lubadub,

If you are only the messenger, who has what complaint?

12/12/2011 9:30:09 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Lub, so these people are friends; they are all respected growers doing a job not many people know about much less want to do for no money and little thanks. The GPC seems to be doing a good job to me and all the pumpkin growers I know.what exactly do you want changed in the voting process?Should every pumpkin grower worldwide have a vote?I don't believe the GPC is ready for international elections.scott

12/12/2011 10:03:15 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Why is there one in every club. Got there noses stuck up the bylaws. Then complains when there are no one else complaining. Marty relax life is to short. Try picking someone up instead of knocking them down. Your not the messenger your the problem. Then you act like o its not me its my job to be the bylaw police.

12/12/2011 11:55:50 PM

Lymington UK

As one of only two European reps on the committee we don’t really have any clubs as such to represent our pumpkin growers. I know a group of pumpkin growers on BP got asked if they would like to represent the European growers would they send in a CV. I did and I got voted on as simple as that.
I then went through a rapid learning curve of how much work gets done behind the scenes going from one good and five junk mails a day to twenty plus on the GPC alone. I not going to bother trying to justify to you Marv that I was selected correctly in your eyes, what’s the point, there will be another problem right around the corner for sure.
What I don’t understand why you can’t put something positive back into our hobby instead of trying to stir up trouble.

Ian

12/13/2011 6:23:12 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Guys; I know the people running the GPC are good people. I believe that if an election was held according to the bylaws that these same people would most likely be elected and they would continue to do the good job they already are. The thing is that if you have an organization and you have bylaws you should follow them. Not to, sets a really bad precedent for the future. And if the bylaws are not consistent with how the club wants to run, then change them. It doesn't take much to do things the correct way and I believe that for the long term success of the organization that it should. Right now, even though everything is going well, the bylaws are not being followed. There is a reason for bylaws, else why would anyone have them? If nobody cares, that is fine too. I care about the GPC. I want it to be successful. I think the likelihood of it being successful and developing into what it potentially could depends on doing things the way most successful organizations do. That is the long and short of it. This is about the manner in which the GPC runs, not about the people presently doing all the work. My guess is that either nobody gets it or nobody cares and so I will now shut up.

12/13/2011 8:38:28 AM

Team Munson

Marv,
Are you serious????? This coming from the guy that helped lay the foundation to the original bylaws for the GPC?????

Have you ever been on the GPC web site???? I doubt it because if you did you would have read this:
http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/PDF/GPCbylaws.pdf

I will assure you that every member of the committee has been put out for vote in their region. By your own admission you have voted on Andy in your region.

Really, Marv, Really, was this necessary!?!?!?!?!?

12/13/2011 8:47:58 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

I like the new name Marv.... Pretty good. Reminds me of the star trek movie... Harry Mudd, was a pretty good show, trouble with tribbles......

12/13/2011 2:04:43 PM