Conference 7.286::dcu

More information about this meeting is in 791.32.

Chris

Chuck doesn't have a problem with DCU employees violating the bylaws?
Or doesn't he agree that this is a violation.  Seems pretty clear to me
that a DCU employee who is only in a DEC building by virtue of being a DCU
employee has no right to hand out anything except within the branch proper.

This should also be an issue for Digital.  These people are guests in a
digital building, and as such, Digital has a right to place almost
arbitrary restrictions on them.

	Paul

    
>Chuck doesn't have a problem with DCU employees violating the bylaws?
>Or doesn't he agree that this is a violation.  Seems pretty clear to me

    He doesn't agree that this is a violation. Seems pretty clear to him
    and what ever lawyer he talked to. My own hope is that when the dust
    clears the BoD clears up any ambiguity that remains with regards to
    what the by-laws mean. I suspect that Digital will do the same with
    their policies.

    			Alfred

I think that this issue should be pursued to the utmost.

In my opinion, the President of DCU has totally failed in
his responsibility to insure

  - a fair election
  - DCU employees adhering to DCU bylaws
  - DCU employees adhering to Digital policy

In my opinion, there is very little that is more serious than 
tampering with an election.  Chuck has totally failed to fulfill
his responsibilities to uphold the Bylaws.  In my opinion,
this voids his right to continue as President.

Collis

    I think I'm missing something here.  Where is the bylaw violation if
    these people are passing out the literature on their own time?
    
    The bylaw does say something about being in a location only by the
    right of their employment.  To me that doesn't mean they are prohibited
    from distributing flyers.  They have access to branches the same way
    any member of the credit union has access to the branches.
    
    As to distributing material outside of the branches, that falls under
    Digital policy.  I don't know about other sites, but here in HLO, DCU
    employees appear to have access to the cafeteria for buying coffee,
    lunch, etc.

    
    At MRO1 yesterday, DCU employees were handing it out from behind the
    counter to DCU members that were at the tellers window doing business.
    Care to comment on that Keith?
    

>               <<< Note 799.6 by PATE::MACNEAL "ruck `n' roll" >>>
>
>    I think I'm missing something here.  Where is the bylaw violation if
>    these people are passing out the literature on their own time?
>    
>    The bylaw does say something about being in a location only by the
>    right of their employment.  To me that doesn't mean they are prohibited
>    from distributing flyers.  They have access to branches the same way
>    any member of the credit union has access to the branches.
>    
	But, are not their breaks during DCU business hours (at least the
	branch hours).   The By-laws (reproduced many places elsewhere)
	restrict these activities during these times.

>    As to distributing material outside of the branches, that falls under
>    Digital policy.  I don't know about other sites, but here in HLO, DCU
>    employees appear to have access to the cafeteria for buying coffee,
>    lunch, etc.

	Accessing the cafeteria, they are GUESTS of DIGITAL based on the
	reauirements of their job.  That is the ONLY reason they can access
	the cafeteria.  They would not (I presume) be allowed there except
	during periods of DCU Business.  As GUESTS, they would not (again
	I presume) have the rights and privileges on DIGITAL property of a
	DIGITAL employee.

Keith,

As DCU members, they are allowed on Digital property to transact
business at DCU.  Does handing out election material equate in
your mind to transacting business at DCU?

In other words, the reason they are here on Digital property at
all is because of their *employment* by DCU.

The relevant section of the bylaws is as follows:

  Section 9.  Subject to state and federal law and regulation,
  present credit union employees (including the president/CEO)
  shall not be eligible to serve on the nominating committee,
  nor shall they take part, during normal credit union business
  hours, in any credit union election or campaign activity at
  any credit union location to which they have access solely by
  reason of their credit union employment.

Note that this says *nothing* about breaks or lunch.  It is
quite specific and quite simple to understand.  DCU employees
may NOT take part during normal credit union business hours
in any credit union election or campaign activity at any credit
union location when they are there because of their employment.

Why do *you* think the DCU tellers and supervisors are at the
local DCU branch?

In addition, it is the highest form of impropriety for the credit
union to *appear* to be endorsing candidates.  This is *exactly*
why this bylaw was written.

We have widespread disregard for the bylaw and a President that
*REFUSES* to uphold the bylaw.  He has failed in a very serious
and primary way.  I can see little justification for NOT firing
him.

I hope this note has made things clearer.  Personally, I don't
see what's so fuzzy (either in your mind or in Chuck Cockburn's
mind).

Collis

One more thing (actually 3 :-) ).

Digital does not allow anyone onto Digital property for the
purpose of soliciting or campaigning.  Therefore, I can see
no justification whatsoever for any DEFCU employee to ever
campaign on Digital property, even if they come in simply
to use DCU as a member.

Furthermore, I think DCU should make it clear that no
campaigning should take place on DCU premises.  Anything
less is a potential endorsement by DCU of one candidate over
another.

Finally, I think the Supervisory Committee should hire an
independent investigator with full authority to determine
*all* the facts of what has happened so that a properly
formulated response can be made to help insure that this
*NEVER* happens again.

The seriousness of these violations is one notch below
what Mangone did in my opinion.

Collis

    
    
    	And the DCU CAN tell their employees what they can't do on their
    breaks. The DCU can tell the employees not to smoke on the premises
    even during their breaks.
    
    	I'm sick of this whole thing, and when my loan is payed off, I'm
    out of this chicken outfit. 
    
    	Any election where the candidates resort to this crap gets me
    p*&^*&ed off and then I vote with my feet. 
    
    ed

    Thanks Collis, but I don't happen to believe that breaking the law is
    quite the same as breaking a bylaw.  Invoking the name of the former
    DCU president is not needed, in my opinion.
    
    I do agree that there are serious issues and that both Digital and DCU
    should be carefully overseeing this election.  I am glad to see that
    Digital management appears to be doing so, I wish I could be reassured
    about DCU management.  As a Digital employee, stockholder, and a member
    of the credit union, I would be very discouraged if a lawsuit is
    brought against either or both.
    
    Mark

�In other words, the reason they are here on Digital property at
�all is because of their *employment* by DCU.
    
    No, they also have access to the DCU because they are members of DCU.
    
�  Section 9.  Subject to state and federal law and regulation,
�  present credit union employees (including the president/CEO)
�  shall not be eligible to serve on the nominating committee,
�  nor shall they take part, during normal credit union business
�  hours, in any credit union election or campaign activity at
�  any credit union location to which they have access solely by
�  reason of their credit union employment.
    
�Note that this says *nothing* about breaks or lunch.  It is
�quite specific and quite simple to understand.  DCU employees
�may NOT take part during normal credit union business hours
�in any credit union election or campaign activity at any credit
�union location when they are there because of their employment.
    
    Thanks for answering my question.  Chuck has apparently taken the
    "subject to state and federal law" portion a bit liberally.  I thought
    the fuss was over "any credit union location to which they have access
    solely by reason of their credit union employment" and was merely
    pointing out that since employees are also members of DCU they could be
    in a branch not soley by reason of their employment.
    
�In addition, it is the highest form of impropriety for the credit
�union to *appear* to be endorsing candidates.  This is *exactly*
�why this bylaw was written.
    
    Yet some think it is OK for a board member to do so.  I don't like the
    double standard.
    
�We have widespread disregard for the bylaw 
    
    No, I think we have a difference in interpretation.
    
    

�Digital does not allow anyone onto Digital property for the
�purpose of soliciting or campaigning.  Therefore, I can see
�no justification whatsoever for any DEFCU employee to ever
�campaign on Digital property, even if they come in simply
�to use DCU as a member.
    
    Digital is allowing employees to campaign in the cafeterias.  DCU
    employees have access to the cafeterias.  They are not there only to
    campaing -- they are probably also getting some lunch.  Again, this is
    not a DCU bylaw issue, this is a Digital policy issue.  
    
�Furthermore, I think DCU should make it clear that no
�campaigning should take place on DCU premises.  Anything
�less is a potential endorsement by DCU of one candidate over
�another.
    
    An alternative would be equal access to all candidates/candidate
    literature.

    
    Re:
    
>    No, they also have access to the DCU because they are members of DCU.
    
    No, WRONG. Much of the campaigning by DCU employees has taken place
    from BEHIND the counters (I've witnessed it). You're a member of DCU.
    I suggest you check out your theory by trying to buzz your way through
    the security door or by climbing over the counter. Let us know whether
    you're allowed equal access to this portion of a DCU office.
    
    The bylaw was put in place because DCU employees enjoy a privileged
    position. It is blatantly unfair for DCU employees to be partisan.
    
    As for literature appearing in branches. I agree I think it should be
    ALL or NONE. Chuck explicitly said "NONE". I would have no problem with
    there being a table in DCU branches labelled "Election Information"
    where ALL candidates could put their literature. This is not how Chuck
    wants things done.
    
    Dave 

  >Digital is allowing employees to campaign in the cafeterias.

This does not contradict what I said.  Digital allows *employees*
to campaign in very strictly controlled ways.  Digital does not
and never has allowed non-employees onto Digital property for
the purpose of campaigning.

This is both a Digital policy issue AND a DCU issue.  DCU as an
institution is beholden to Digital for a *lot*.  DCU management
approved action which violates Digital policy is very serious.
DCU management *inaction* when there are violations of Digital
policy is serious.

Who cares about truth and fairness????  I do.

BTW, have you ever seen a teller conducting a DCU transaction
(as a DCU member) while campaigning?  If not, it appears that
they are NOT there as individual members to do DCU business -
which is the loophole you continue to very wrongly assert
allows them to campaign.

Collis

Mark,

I agree with you that refusing to uphold the bylaws is not
as serious as swindling millions of dollars.  I stated that
it was a notch below.

However, I strongly believe that it is *only* a notch below.
What else does a President need to have a total commitment to
if it isn't upholding the Bylaws?

From another perspective, what else does the President of the
United States need to have a total commitment to if it isn't
upholidng the Constitution?  The last President that clearly
flaunted the Constitution (instead of upholding it) resigned
rather than be impeached and convicted.

Collis

    Collis,
    
    I believe that leaders EVERYWHERE are trying to wiggle around the
    barriers that are set up to regulate them.  I believe that their idea
    of "total commitment" is to something other than constitutional issues.
    
    Mark
    
    PS.  I didn't know that REAGAN resigned?  :-)

Mark,

>>    I believe that leaders EVERYWHERE are trying to wiggle around the
>>    barriers that are set up to regulate them.  I believe that their idea
>>    of "total commitment" is to something other than constitutional issues.
But of course! Its called the 'royal we' meaning you not me. ;^)

�Digital does not
�and never has allowed non-employees onto Digital property for
�the purpose of campaigning.
    
    What I said was that these people are not on Digital property for the
    purpose of campaigning.  They are there for other legitimate reasons. 
    I don't know about other sites, but in HLO the DCU employees wear
    contractor badges.
    
�BTW, have you ever seen a teller conducting a DCU transaction
�(as a DCU member) while campaigning?  
    
    I have not seen any DCU tellers campaigning whatsoever.  There have
    been reports of such and there have been instances (like Dave G's)
    where after a teller was asked for info they were given "Qualified
    Board" literature.
    
�If not, it appears that
�they are NOT there as individual members to do DCU business -
�which is the loophole you continue to very wrongly assert
�allows them to campaign.
    
    No, I am questioning the assertion that DCU employees can only be on
    DCU premises by virture of their employment at DCU.  Any DCU member is
    allowed access to DCU property by virtue of their membership.
    
    Given that, I do question the earlier "not within 100 yards of a
    branch" policy.

    >No, I am questioning the assertion that DCU employees can only be on
    >DCU premises by virture of their employment at DCU.  Any DCU member is
    >allowed access to DCU property by virtue of their membership.
    
    BUT their membership comes solely as a result of being a DCU employee.
    Therefore, they are on DCU premises as a result of being an employee.
    
    Stuart

    
    DAMN!! Came in looking for a possible reply from Paul Milbury in 802,
    found YAR (Yet Another Rathole).
    
.13> �In addition, it is the highest form of impropriety for the credit
.13> �union to *appear* to be endorsing candidates.  This is *exactly*
.13> �why this bylaw was written.
.13>    
.13>    Yet some think it is OK for a board member to do so.  I don't like the
.13>    double standard.
    
    Please point to an example of a current board member using DCU channels
    and resources to endorse candidates.
    

    A related question...perhaps for a different topic...

    Per Mr. Macneal...
    >Any DCU member is allowed access to DCU property
    >by virtue of their membership.
    
    Is this really true?  Could an ex-Deccie or any DCU employee
    who are members of the DCU walk up to the Mill entrance
    and walk right in, to use the DCU branch by the Cafeteria?

    Does being a member of the credit union give you access to Digital?
    Or just DCU headquarters?

    If not, then being inside a DEC facility is clearly only due to
    employment and has nothing to do with being a member of the credit union.
    bob

>    Please point to an example of a current board member using DCU channels
>    and resources to endorse candidates.

    He's referring to Phil's plug for the other 2Gs in his writeup
    that came with the election package (I assume0
    bob

    
    >    Does being a member of the credit union give you access to Digital?

    The short answer is yes. The NIO branch used to be in the center of
    the building. Non employees would call the branch from the lobby and
    a DCU employee would come and escort them to the branch to do business.
    These days, in NIO, the branch is right at the door so that step can
    be bypassed. The guards will not let you take a left on leaving if you
    don't have a badge though.

    			Alfred

  >PS.  I didn't know that REAGAN resigned?  :-)

He couldn't remember doing anything wrong.  :-)

�    Per Mr. Macneal...
�    >Any DCU member is allowed access to DCU property
�    >by virtue of their membership.
�    
�    Is this really true?  Could an ex-Deccie or any DCU employee
�    who are members of the DCU walk up to the Mill entrance
�    and walk right in, to use the DCU branch by the Cafeteria?
    
    Until HLO put in a policy of noone under 16 being allowed in the
    facility, the DCU branch was located in the middle of HLO1.  Once the
    age policy was put in place the branch was moved (along with the MetPay
    office) to the lobby of HLO2.  This way members with children in tow
    could access the branch.
    
    When I was in NRO the DCU was located near the employee entrance and
    down the hall from the main entrance.  The policy was that a Digital
    Employee (DCU employees might have been OK too) had to escort
    non-Digital employees to the DCU.

�    He's referring to Phil's plug for the other 2Gs in his writeup
�    that came with the election package (I assume0
    
    No, I am referring to Paul K's plug posted elsewhere in this
    conference.

Re:  Endorsing

There are no restrictions anywhere on anyone endorsing
anyone else.

I would think it improper, however, for the President of the
Credit Union to endorse someone who may be his potential
boss (not that Chuck has done this).

As far as I'm concerned, all the DCU (low-level) employees
can individually endorse anyone they want.  Just don't do
any campaigning for them in DCU or Digital facilities
which is against the very reasonable Bylaws.  When working
as a DCU employee, their responsibility is to remain neutral
in any election.  On their own time, they can be involved
as much as they want in campaigning for the candidate of
their choice (not using DCU or Digital facilities for this
campaigning, of course).

Collis

    I wonder if there would be all this fuss if DCU employees were
    endorsing the 3 Gs.

   >I wonder if there would be all this fuss if DCU employees were
   >endorsing the 3 Gs.

There would be from ME.

Some of us care about truthfulness, honesty and integrity - no
matter what candidates they happen to agree more with.

I expect that there are many others that feel the same way.  Do
you?

Collis

�As far as I'm concerned, all the DCU (low-level) employees
�can individually endorse anyone they want.  Just don't do
�any campaigning for them in DCU or Digital facilities
�which is against the very reasonable Bylaws.  When working
�as a DCU employee, their responsibility is to remain neutral
�in any election.  On their own time, they can be involved
�as much as they want in campaigning for the candidate of
�their choice (not using DCU or Digital facilities for this
�campaigning, of course).
    
    Collis, what are your thoughts about Digital employees using Digital
    facilities for campaigning?  Are you advocating one set of rules for
    DCU employees and another for Digital employees?

�I expect that there are many others that feel the same way.  Do
�you?
    
    Absolutely.  I think that's why some in here think I'm such a pain in
    the butt.

  >Are you advocating one set of rules for
  >DCU employees and another for Digital employees?


I am advocating that DCU employees live by DCU bylaws
and Digital policies for non-employees.

I am also advocating Digital employees live by DCU bylaws
and Digital policies for employees.

Do you disagree with either of these?

Collis

    Some people would be raising a fuss alright ... but maybe not the same
    people!
    

              <<< Note 799.13 by PATE::MACNEAL "ruck `n' roll" >>>

>I thought
>    the fuss was over "any credit union location to which they have access
>    solely by reason of their credit union employment" and was merely
>    pointing out that since employees are also members of DCU they could be
>    in a branch not soley by reason of their employment.
 
	There is at least one eyewitness report that the flyer was being
	handed out from BEHIND the counter. Do you or I have access to this
	area as DCU members?

>    Yet some think it is OK for a board member to do so.  I don't like the
>    double standard.
 
	BoD members are not emloyees of the DCU.

Jim

�I am advocating that DCU employees live by DCU bylaws
�and Digital policies for non-employees.
�
�I am also advocating Digital employees live by DCU bylaws
�and Digital policies for employees.
�
�Do you disagree with either of these?
    
    No, I am disagreeing with some of the interpretations of these.

Re:  .37

I'm glad that we agree.  Now maybe we can stick to the REAL
issue instead of innuendo and ratholes.

Collis

>    I wonder if there would be all this fuss if DCU employees were
>    endorsing the 3 Gs.
    
    Of course not. Because that would imply there wasn't anything wrong
    with the DEFCU. But that isn't the case.
    
    -Glenn-
    

    
    Keith, I'm sure you just forgot to reply to this.  Here, I'll repost so
    you won't have to search for it...
    
>    At MRO1 yesterday, DCU employees were handing it out from behind the
>    counter to DCU members that were at the tellers window doing business.
>    Care to comment on that Keith?
    

    What do you want me to say, Phil?

I'm not Phil nor do I play him on TV, but I think an appropriate
response would be something like, 

  "I didn't mean to imply that DCU employees were not in
   fact distributing campaign literature.  There have been
   numerous reports that this has happened and continues to
   happen.  Sorry if I mislead anyone."

You don't even have to type it in.  Just cut and paste.  :-)

Collis

    Well, Collis, if anyone read that into any of my replies they were
    grossly mistaken.  As I've asked many times, please read what I've
    written and stop trying to read between the lines.

    
    As I have already stated, there is absolutely no way I would allow such
    a vile piece of trash literature have my name associated with it in any
    way, shape or form.  I would immediately find out who was responsible
    and have it STOPPED.  If the distribution continued, I would take legal
    action to have it stopped.
    
    If DCU employees, or ANYBODY on DCU property, were handing out
    literature specifically endorsing me I would take the same actions. 
    People seem to forget that DCU *COULD* hand out the election statement
    inserted with the ballot yet refuses to do so.  Instead, members asking
    for information have been been given trash literature.
    
    The fact that material continues to be distributed on Digital property
    (please note there is NO such thing as DCU property other than DCU HQ)
    after it has been brought to the attention of both DCU and Digital
    management opens everybody up so some real nasty stuff IMO.  There is
    no way this trash can fall within Digital's policies and procedures. 
    
    Mr. Cockburn's inability to control his branch sites and enforce
    guidelines so that both DCU and Digital are not at risk is a serious
    problem IMO.  This whole episode points out in no uncertain terms
    exactly why I decided not to be a part of the current "team".  I'm sure
    many people thought I was exaggerating when I stated DCU had come full
    circle in two years.  Even the old Board was above this sort of
    behavior and they didn't have a Bylaw addressing it.
    

>              <<< Note 799.41 by PATE::MACNEAL "ruck `n' roll" >>>
>
>    What do you want me to say, Phil?
    
    What is your evaluation of these actions given the DCU Bylaws?

�    The fact that material continues to be distributed on Digital property
�    (please note there is NO such thing as DCU property other than DCU HQ)
    
    Material including your own.  I have also received mail from Dave G.
    regarding his candidacy.  There is an account set up on Phil G.'s
    system that is said to provide DCU election information.  When I
    checked the directory a few weeks ago it provided Three G election
    info.

Thank you, Keith, for you agreement with the gist of my
suggested message.

In taking some training recently which involved communication,
it was shared that only 7% of face-to-face communication
is the words used.  I would suggest to you that this does
not jump to 100% when you use notes (for example, the types of
questions you ask is just as important as the question
itself).  We're all aware of this and I expect you are too
(at least when you experience it from other people).

Therefore, I will continue to read and assimilate not only
the words that you write, but the other messages that are
communicated (whether you attempt to communicate them or
not).

Collis

    
    Still avoiding the answer to my question Keith?
    
    We did NOT want to be distributing material in DCU branches.  These are
    the rules DCU has made on the fly for us.  One week we were harassed
    for being 20 feet from the branch.  The next week DCU employees are
    handing trash literature out from behind the tellers window.  DCU is
    making this up as they go along to suit their needs.  We have
    absolutely no say in the matter.
    
    There is NO way I would put material that violates Digital's policy and
    procedures on the system.  I have received no submissions from any
    candidates.  Dave's, Chris's and my personal statements are NOT in
    there.  Please tell all the facts.
    
    Now please respond to the original question.
    

�Therefore, I will continue to read and assimilate not only
�the words that you write, but the other messages that are
�communicated (whether you attempt to communicate them or
�not).
    
    In other words, I should expect that you'll continue to try to put
    words in my mouth and read things that aren't there.

�    Now please respond to the original question.
    
    What's the point, Phil?  Why is it so important?  If you have a problem
    with the way things are going, you should contact the Supervisory
    committee.  Complaining to me about it won't do you any good.  I can't
    help you.

  >Complaining to me about it won't do you any good.

Just in case we were in doubt.

    OK, Collis, I guess we can add "taking statements out of context" to
    "putting words in my mouth" and "reading things that aren't there". 
    Thanks for letting me know where I stand.

Keith,

Let's face it, as long as you continue to write in a style which leaves
the door wide open to "reading between the lines", "reading what isn't
written" etc, particularly when it "appears" somewhat antagonistic,
people will continue to read into your notes meanings which you may
not intend.

It's reminiscent of my initial contact with my in-laws ...  I indicated
that at the time, I preferred white bread ... One day they asked my wife
"Why does Stuart hate brown bread ?"  I had omitted to say that I eat
and enjoy most breads ... and so they followed some unstated conclusions.
And that is what happens time and time again with your notes.

If you stated more specifically the points you are trying to make and
the background to your comments, then it would be much harder to read
things into your notes ...

Back to our regularly scheduled note ....

Stuart

    
    RE: .50
    
>    What's the point, Phil?  Why is it so important?  If you have a problem
>    with the way things are going, you should contact the Supervisory
>    committee.  Complaining to me about it won't do you any good.  I can't
>    help you.
    
    Keith, you've had no problem responding to everything else.  You've had
    no problem pointing out that what DCU employees can't necessarily be
    taken as a violation of our Bylaws.
    
    I have already contacted not only the DCU Supervisory Comm. but also
    Digital Equipment to notify them of what is transpiring on their property.
    The NCUA will also be notified shortly.  Nobody I know of is counting
    on you to resolve the situation.
    
    Also, nobody is "complaining to you".  I simply asked for your evaluation
    of the situation given when considering what our Bylaws state.  A very
    simple question that you should be able to give us your opinion of. 
    Why do you choose to avoid answering this simple question?
    

�    Why do you choose to avoid answering this simple question?
    
    What can I add to this question that you haven't already heard from
    just about every regular participant in this conference?

>    Keith, you've had no problem responding to everything else.
    
    Except the boards he's supposedly served on
    
    -Glenn-

�    Apparently DCU doesn't feel it has equal control over its employees.
�    They apparently are free to flout DCU bylaws as long as they are on
�    break. 
    
    Apparently they are liberally interpreting the portion of the bylaw
    that talks about "except in conflict with local and federal laws"

    Keith,
    
    DCU Bylaws state:
    
>      Article VI.
>
>       Section 9.  Subject to state and federal law and regulation,
>       present credit union employees (including the president/CEO)
>       shall not be eligible to serve on the nominating committee,
>       nor shall they take part, during normal credit union business
>       hours, in any credit union election or campaign actively at
>       any credit union location to which they have access solely by
>       reason of their credit union employment.

    A DCU member observes:
    
>    At MRO1 yesterday, DCU employees were handing it out from behind the
>    counter to DCU members that were at the tellers window doing business.
    
    After reading the DCU Bylaw above, in your opinion were the DCU Bylaws
    violated or were they not violated?

    I didn't press the issue. But Chuck Cockburn and Mary Madden made it
    very clear that DCU legal had informed them that it would be a
    violation of the employee's rights (I presume they meant civil rights)
    to restrict or control what DCU employees did when they were on break.
    
    Mary pointed out that DCU branch managers are EXEMPT (ie WC4)
    employees. I presume that this was meant to mean that if a DCU branch
    manager is doing DCU business with a customer they are on work time.
    But for the few seconds it takes them to hand out the sheet, that
    maligns the professional integrity of myself and two other candidates,
    I guess they are on break. Immediately after handing out the sheet I
    guess they are deemed to have returned to work.
    
    What I fail to understand is that Digital has told its employees many
    many times that there is no right to free speech when on company
    property or when using Digital resources (I agree with this).
    Apparently DCU doesn't feel it has equal control over its employees.
    They apparently are free to flout DCU bylaws as long as they are on
    break. I'm happy to wait and see how the Supervisory Committe rules
    on this.
    
    I never did get around to asking how the logistics of shipping the
    anonymously authored campaign literature, that makes untrue assertions
    about me, to all of the DCU branches was handled without utilizing
    DCU resources.
    
    Dave 

                                                   

re:  <<< Note 799.44 by ASE003::GRANSEWICZ "DCU Election: 3 G's -> NO FEES" >>>

>    Mr. Cockburn's inability to control his branch sites and enforce
>    guidelines so that both DCU and Digital are not at risk is a serious
>    problem IMO.  

	If consent by doing nothing to stop something can be applied here,
	then there should be one of two courses of action taken when the 
	new board is seated :

	If the Relationship Membership board is voted in, then there is 
	nothing anybody can do except look for a better place to bank.

	If the Credit Union Membership board is voted in, then their first 
	order of business should be to look for a DCU president who will
	strive to *enforce* the rules, i.e. bylaws, and not cause such
	blatant discord between the DCU and it's membership.

    
    Re: .58
    
    > Can't make it any simpler.
    
    I'd say simple isn't the point, Phil.  There's only one reasonable 
    interpretation and clearly that one doesn't match his agenda.
    
    Steve
    
    

    
    Keith, where'd you go?  You still out there?   No time for a simple one
    word answer?  Hmmm.... I wonder why?
    
    Steve, given Keith's lack of response one could easily come to the  
    same conclusion as you have.

The "rules" regarding this election are, in my opinion, being made
up as we go along.  What's a violation of DCU policy one day suddenly
turns into a "misunderstanding Digital policy" the next day.   What is
a violation of by-laws one day becomes a "legal problem involving free
speech" the next day.  That DCU management has failed to articulate and
enforce a consistent set of guidelines regarding the campaign process
and the role (or lack thereof) of its employees helps to foster a view
that election process is being actively manipulated.  

Let me cite some examples for consideration.  The "DCU explanations"
here are my recollection of Chuck Cockburn's comments made during a 
recent meeting that Phil, Dave, and I had with Chuck, Mary Madden,
and Alan Prindle.

Incident: Branch manager calls Digital security in response to a 3G
information table set up 20 feet from the Mill branch, well inside
the cafeteria boundaries.  We are shown a document which stated that
it was a "DCU policy" not to permit candidates to campaign with 100 feet
of a DCU location.  

DCU Explanation: Mr. Cockburn explained to myself, Dave, and Phil that
this policy was, in fact, a Digital policy not a DCU policy, and that
Digital had suddenly changed the rules and chosen not to enforce the
policy.

Comment:  At the candidate's meeting with Ron Glover, Lisa Ross asked
explicitly if cafeteria campaigning was allowed, and was told in
no uncertain terms that this behavior was permissable.

For what it's worth, I sent a letter to DCU informing them that if
they ever contacted my employer again without my express written consent
regarding my activities outside of a DCU branch, there would be negative
consequences.

Incident:  DCU employees pass out the "Qualified Board" literature
at sites throughout the country.  The literature is distributed by
employees greeting members in line, in some cases across the windows
on demand, and in other cases in the cafeterias at Digital facilities.

Explanation: Mr. Cockburn said that without regard for Article VI, 
Section 9, he had a "legal opinion" which said that it would be illegal
for him to prohibit DCU employees from campaigning while they were on
their breaks. He said that DCU did not want literature left on tables
in its branches.  Further, he allowed as to how we were now free to
hand out our literature in branches to the extent that we didn't interfere
with normal credit union businesss.

Comment:  As an interesting aside, as Phl, Dave, and I were leaving the
meeting at DCU HQ, we stopped by the DCU branch, and there was the 
"Qualified Board" literature sitting on a table.


There have been a lot of other little things that have happened as well
which seem curious in this election.  For example, as I was handing out 
literature at the branch in Salem last week, the branch manager got in 
my face (literally) and demanded in a loud voice (enough to stop all 
business and direct attention toward the two of us) to know whether or 
not I was on my own time or Digital's time.  I considered telling her
that I was on vacation and intended to stay for the week, but I seriously
didn't want to provoke an incident that could be construed as "interfering
with normal credit union business."

My point in all this is that the rules, guidelines,  etc., seem to change
in real time.  That something is "illegal" or "against policy" on one
day and is then common practice the next leaves plenty of room for
speculation about the manner in which the election is being managed.

As an outsider attempting to get in, this is unacceptable.  Were I an
insider working to retain my position, I would take steps to get this
type of behavior stopped.  

Things just get curiouser and curiouser.

Chris