On Thursday, March 12th 2009, 8 members of Quad County REACT traveled to Suitland, MD to attend the annual meeting of REACT International on March 13th. We left around 1315hrs from Beloit, OH. Around 1745 we arrived in Washington, DC and decided to stop and check out the area, instead of heading straight to the hotel in Suitland. We visited the area of our nation’s capitol for about 2 1/2 hours. We then decided to continue on to the hotel, and after checking in, we decided to meet and discuss our agenda and topics for the meeting. Everyone retired to their rooms around 0130hrs to get some sleep for the meeting later that day.
At around 0730hrs everyone was up and getting ready to head over to the REACT International offices for the meeting which was slated to start at 0830. We had a little trouble finding room to sit down, but we did, and it became apparent to us that there was standing-room only left.
We each received copies of the agenda for that day, and minutes from a previous meeting (Nov. 25th 2007) that were to be voted on for approval. (The meeting agenda is attached, see link at bottom of page.) Around 1030hrs the Board adjourned for a 10 minute break. When the meeting was called back to order, such items as budget, fund-raising among many others were discussed. (See Meeting Minutes attached.) Around 1150hrs the Board decided to adjourn again for lunch and to resume at 1330hrs. It was also decided that the Visitor session would be the first matter to be discussed upon returning.
When we returned from lunch at the local Pizza Hut, the board asked Mr. Jim Dyke, President of our team to present our items. Mr. Dyke presented the following items: (See our agenda at the bottom of the page.)
Mr. Dyke began by quoting section 9.18 from the bylaws;
Section 9.18 Waiver of these bylaws. Since these bylaws are established for the protection of all Members, they may not be waived or suspended at any time.
and section 3.7;
Section 3.7 Denial or Termination of Membership. The Board of Directors may deny application for or revoke membership of any Member Team, Life Member, or Affiliate Member, or remove council recognition, for cause the Board deems prejudicial to the best interests of the corporation. A removal action taken will be in writing and mailed by certified mail to the applicant or Member. The applicant or Member will have forty five (45) days of receipt to appeal the decision stating why the action should not be taken. The Board of Directors will review the appeal and issue a final decision within sixty (60) days.
Mr. Dyke then presented a letter that Mr. Jason Boone of the Ohio REACT Council sent to the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce to all Board members.(The letter is attached below.) Basically, the letter stated that our tem charter was revoked, we were no longer a REACT team, and that MCRRT C260 was the team in Stark County, and was willing to assist with their events instead of our team.
Mr. Dyke also explained that this letter was a flagrant violation of the bylaws, and that Ohio REACT Council had no right, or authority to act on behalf of REACT International and issue/send such a letter. He also explained that we believed that Mr. Don Manlove may have been involved with this letter and the denial of our membership renewal.
Both of these persons (Boone and Manlove) had violated REACT International bylaws, citing section 3.7, and that only the Board can revoke or deny membership.
Mr. Dyke went on stating that we believed that the only way to resolve this issue was to suspend Ohio REACT Council, and complete and investigation into the matter. We also requested that MCRRT C260 be included in the investigation, and if it was found that they held any part in issuing or sending it, that charter be revoked. Mr. Dyke also requested on behalf of the team that Mr. Manlove have his own investigation, and for him to resign and/or the board take action to remove him from his position if he was found to have any part in the letter or denying our renewal as a team.
Several items were explained to the Board about MCRRT C260 such as them carrying badges, and other various issues that they have been involved with. These issues also include some Federally Illegal matters that were also brought up.
Note: A video of Mr. Dyke’s presentation to the board with audio is attached. See the bottom of the page.
The Board was appalled that Ohio REACT Council would do such a thing, and a discussion on the matter was opened.
During the discussion it was brought up that Ohio REACT Council had similar suspensions and investigations at least 3 or 4 times in the past.
The Board motioned that Ohio REACT Council be suspended, and an investigation be completed on their actions. The motion passed.
The Board motioned that a letter of apology be written and sent to our team, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and any agency in our area that we deem, and/or may have been involved.
After our issues were discussed and acted upon, we thanked the Board for the time on the floor and for their cooperation on the matter.
We left the meeting around 1530hrs and went to the hotel to check out. We decided to revisit Washington, DC on the way home for better photo oppurtunities, and to see attractions that we hadn’t the night before.We visited The White House, The U.S. Capitol Building, The FTC/FAA Building in DC, then we left to visit the Pentagon and memorial. After we were done visiting, we continued on the long ride home. We stopped in Breezewood, PA for dinner around 2145. We arrived back in Ohio around 0130, and everyone finally arrived home around 0300hrs. The trip was deemed a success, and well worth it. We had fun, and when needed we got down to business.
Any Questions or Comments on the items brought up with the Board may be submitted to Mr. Jim Dyke (President) (330) 280-4857 jdyke@quadcountyreact.org.
Any Questions or Comments on the trip or other topics may be submitted to Mr. Dave Coleman (Vice President) (330) 704-0521 dcoleman@quadcountyreact.org; Mr. Matt Boudreaux (Operations Manager) (330) 685-5674 mboudreaux@quadcountyreact.org; or Mr. Justin Corner (Webmaster) (330) 879-8552 jcorner@quadcountyreact.org
From quadcountyreact.org, used by permission.
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