English Bob, not Lawyer-ese.
Can the VCA members hold a majority vote in regards to the leadership positions at the VCA in a crisis such as this? My take on the bylaw changes they rammed in a few years ago was this is no longer possible and thus the bylaw changes were very deliberate in their intent. At the time, I remember they were conjured up and passed in a complete vacuum of executive officers, etc. then made known to the members without so much as a consulting word to the members for the opinion. If you recall at the time, you were very supportive of the changes basically stating to anyone that question them on the forums that the board is smart enough to know what is best for the club and the club is growing and doing just fine at the time. The bylaw changes gave them all the authority and power to do exactly what as been done legally and without recourse. The only way around this now is to no-longer rejoin as a VCA member or to escape the situation by Regional Clubs and Local chapters seceeding. It is each regions decision to do what is best for it's regions members so we can not knock any region's decision to do what they feel is right as in the case of the MCVO. It is disappointing as with any car manufacturer club, it's strength in numbers and unity. This turn of events pulls from that mission, however the National Club has not conducted itself in a proper manner either hence it is all around a bad situation.
Unfortunately the longer this goes on, the uglier it is going to get and the more likely other regions and chapters are going to move on from the VCA. Even without all the total data; the rumors, the emotions, etc. there is without a shadow of a doubt that something wrong was going on here. With that in mind, if any of the top execs in the club ever really cared for this car, this club and it's future with Chrysler (it is suppose to be just a fun car club after all) they would have gladly stepped down and allowed due course to be taken. If there was nothing done wrong, there is nothing to hide from. The truth is the truth and it sets people free. The fact this is still going on without word to the members and top execs are lawyering up is painfully clear that something really, really was wrong in what was being done and how things were operating.
I am reserving judgements until after I see something of fact on this beyond the emotional responses and official letters floating around but I have to admit things look very dark right now and for me at least, there is a whole nother level of trust that needs to be reached again before the overshadow of these events subsides to where many will feel comfortable in their money being used wisely by the club (National, Regions, Local, etc.)
This situation is present because of blind trust and following. Every civilization who did this crumbled due to power, greed, money and corruption. Bylaws are put in place to protect it from happening whetehr that is words written into law or versus in a bible. People are human and while we like to think and really want to believe people are good, you simply can not trust in that all man will do what is right for everyone.
Bob, you have been very vocal against those questioning and while I admit there are a lot of emotions running high andresponses, rumors, facts, etc. are being shot around like a scatter gun, however the one thing you have not been is objective. If you were truly objective, you would also voice where the VCA has not done their job, either by their obligations to members or in their actions in question. I think you would find a number of people actually appreciating your obvious knowldge of some of these situations if you were not so one sided in your response. Yes civility and professionalism needs to be present in this situation which some are trying to follow. I support that as well but to be truly objective and fair to all parties involved, including the members (which you are a member) you own it to yourself to also be open on the events and actions of the VCA itself. Otherwise you do have an agenda and well your credibility suffers. That being said, why don't you comments on why the MCVO has the right to seceed despite their own bylaw issues you want to point out. As you are a member here, you owe it to yourself to be objective in the analysis.