Do You COP Duty . . . Editor's Corner
Do You COP Duty . . .
It's election time! No, I'm not referring to the November elections where you vote for the politicians that will represent you in the various government branches (although, you should vote there, too). I'm talking about the COP Elections next month where you vote for your fellow COP members and volunteers that will determine the future of COP.
You may be wondering why you should care, let alone bother to cast your ballot next month. Well, the issues that directly affect you are decided by these Board Members. For instance, issues related to membership fee increases, membership benefits (e.g., the Benchmark Store benefits), organizational events (e.g., TOSRV, GOBA, advanced first aid training, etc.), risk management policies (e.g., wording and working procedures for the Liability Waiver Release), COP equipment and facilities, and the management of COP assets (e.g., the best way to spend COP's money for most benefit of the membership and the organization) are all discussed and decided upon by the COP Board members. Their decisions affect you and all other members of COP!
So, why not have a say on how our outdoor organization is run and managed? The candidates for this year's open positions are listed on page 12 of this newsletter. These brief biographies will also run the October newsletter, along with the official absentee ballot that you can mail into the COP office. Or, you can meet the candidates and cast your ballot in person at the official COP Board Election Meeting, Tuesday, October 21.
Better yet, if you feel strongly about the issues that affect COP or want to be a bigger part of the decision-making portion of the organization, consider running for a Board position yourself! Send a note to the President, Keith Finn, at the email address or phone number listed on page 3. Contact Ann Gerckens, our Office Manager, Keith, or any other Board member for information on running for a Board position and its responsibilities. Note that only active COP members are eligible to run for and hold COP Board positions.
So, go out and do your COP Duty next month! The future of COP depends on it.
Sharon Seslar
Editor, Columbus Outdoors