Stephanie Wright

The Mycological Society of San Francisco
is an all-volunteer organization...
 
Approximately 15% of our members contributed in one way or another to the success of the Fungus Fair back in December. As you can see from the poster art contest announcement in this very newsletter – planning is already underway for the next fair. We hope you will help out.

However, the Fungus Fair isn't the only thing MSSF does - about 2% of MSSF members (just 2 dozen people) are doing 95+% of the other tasks and planning that are needed for a vibrant and active club – if you want more activities, we need you to step up to help make it happen. We have been fortunate this spring to have several new people join the council - thank you! Most committees could benefit from a few more hands to lighten the load, or add new projects to the mix.

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On a basic level, as a 501c3 non-profit, we have a set of bylaws, and a governing council. Each year, an annual election is held to choose officers and councilors-at-large.

• Additionally, we have a number of Committees - chairs of committees have a vote at council meetings
  • some committees are on-going and permanent
  • other committees are temporary, created for a particular task
  • a committee may exist to coordinate a major event, such as the Fungus Fair committee
  • or may serve a more global function, such as Education & Outreach
  •  a committee may be formed to research and evaluate options, act in an advisory position, or make recommendations to the Council
• The committees together create a whole that fulfills the mission of MSSF to educate MSSF members and the public about fungi - and to have fun along the way working cooperatively together

Committee members and chairs are not elected. Instead, people with time, energy and skills, are encouraged to assist with the various committees according to their interests. After participating on a committee, an individual might become a co-chair of that body, or be appointed as chair of the committee when the current appointee steps down or changes focus and moves on to other responsibilities within the club.

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The MSSF bylaws define how elections are to be conducted.
Excerpts from the bylaws:
Article V – Elections and Term of Office
Section 5   …a three-person nominating committee appointed annually by the president submits a slate to council… nominations as approved or changed by the Council will be presented to the membership at the April meeting of the Society…

The nominating committee reaches out to individuals who have been attending meetings and events, and those who have expressed interest in more involvement, but may not be aware of everyone who would like to join the council. Therefore the bylaws define an option for any member to be a nominee to one of the elected positions.

Article V, section 5: Other nominations may be made in writing and will be considered valid if signed by five members of the Society and presented to the Secretary at any time up to the Annual Meeting [May 21, 2024]...

Article VII – Meetings of Members of the Society and Quorum
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held on the third Tuesday of May [May 21, 2024] at 8:00 p.m. at the place of the regular meetings of the Society...
Section 2. A quorum shall consist of seven percent of the total regular members of the Society… As of April 1, 2024, a quorum = 75 people.
Section 7. If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting
the by-laws – Section 8 - allow for election by email

Our online membership system has an elections module.

• It allows voting by members whose dues are current.
• The system shows if a person has voted, but does not track individual choices, only cumulative totals.

Online voting will commence on May 21, 2024, and end two weeks later, on June 4, 2024. Council will announce election results by June 15.

~ Stephanie Wright, HelpDesk@mssf.org
Questions are welcome when we interact at in-person events.
510-388-5009 - you can also phone me.