I Have Withdrawn From the Election

To all of my supporters, I should really say supporters of LCS, I want to say Thank You! We all share a common concern for an organization that has touched each and everyone one of us deeply.

We are in a new era – as U2 put it, “where fact is fiction and TV is reality.”

I just sent the following email to the LCS Nominating Committee:

Since I am being blackmailed by a close associate of Yoly and Steve, you win.
I withdraw my name as a candidate for LCS President.

I apologize for letting all of you down.

However, there is an alternative! Former candidate Shelley Edson has agreed to be re-nominated from the floor at the meeting. This provides a new and untainted hope for LCS’ future. Shelley has said that she and I shared similar platforms – reforming an LCS that has become a sham. She dropped out because she felt I was the best alternative. She is now prepared to re-enter the race to be the candidate that represents our issues and solutions. You can read her original candidate announcement here: ChangeLCS.com/files/Shelley Edson Announcement.pdf. You can also read her election platform here: ChangeLCS.com/files/Shelley Edson Platform.pdf

LCS has become a place where financial transparency is non-existent and falsely portrayed. The numbers given, in the press and other media, state gross revenue not net receipts. With respect to Concerts in the Park, the finances are deliberately hidden from the members. This is a place where the CEO/President/Executive Director runs his own business on LCS property. Don’t be fooled, demand 100% timely and transparent reporting on all financial matters – including cost overruns on the restaurant and bathroom capital projects. You will be appalled! Don’t allow the former Executive Director, Luis Pacheco, to be the scapegoat!

Today, LCS’ financial difficulties are worse than the “covid emergency,” and Yoly (read “Steve”) has never addressed any of our assertions or solutions put forth during this campaign.

I endorse Shelly Edson, and strongly encourage you to support and vote for her. Only you can bring an end to this puppet show.

A vote for Yoly is a vote for Steve Balfour. A vote for Shelley is a vote for LCS.

Terry Vidal

How Can I Vote at this Election?

The special election for LCS President is coming up on Tuesday August 20 at LCS at 10am. This is an important chance for you to decide the future of LCS.

If you want financial transparency, open and documented decision making, and a return to the bylaws and Strategic Planning, then vote for Shelley Edson at the Extraordinary Meeting.

To vote, you must be an LCS member. If you are not currently a member, it costs $1,050 pesos/year. They also offer monthly memberships, but these members cannot vote. You can join or renew here: lcsajijic.givecloud.co/membership

If you cannot attend in person, you can take part in the meeting and vote via Zoom. To do this, you must register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkf--spjgpG92LmBv5imVYgBLHdDEYQoD7#

Two Important Issues — Please Read!

1. Motion to Shorten the President's Term

Before the election, the first order of business will be to vote on a motion to shorten the new President's term to seven months ending in March 2025.

Under normal circumstances, this election for President would have taken place at the AGM in March 2024. The President would then have been elected for a two-year term until the AGM in March 2026. Because of COVID in 2020, there was no election for President at the last AGM – it was delayed by five months until now. To keep the normal election cycle, the new President's term must still expire at the AGM in March 2026.

The Board’s proposal to shorten it to seven months to “correct the election cycle” is absurd! Doing this would cause two major problems:

  1. The staggering of terms required by the LCS bylaws would be overturned. For the past 14 years or more, the President and Secretary have been elected in even-numbered years, and the Vice-President and Treasurer have been elected in odd-numbered years. It is common practice for non-profits to stagger the President's and Vice-President's terms – this is vital for board continuity. Having another President elected in March 2025 would eliminate this term staggering, and would cause the President and Vice-President to be elected at the same time. This would become a permanent change moving forward.
  2. In addition, a seven month term is far too short for the new President to accomplish anything.

What can you do? This motion must either be amended to a 19-month term ending in March 2026, or it must be defeated outright.

2. Motion to Approve Bylaw Changes

After the election, the next order of business will be to vote on a motion to approve a set of 22 changes to the LCS bylaws.

Terry Vidal has pledged a full and comprehensive review of the bylaws using a consultative process involving the members. These new changes would be voted on in early 2025 when the review is completed, and the high-season members are present. Yolanda Martinez has also promised to do the same, so why does she need these changes now?

The changes proposed in this motion were created in a rush, with no analysis of unintended consequences, and, worse, with no member consultation or input. The Board is trying to ram them through using the fear mongering tactic that these changes are essential for LCS to continue to operate. This is complete nonsense! There is not one single change that cannot wait until next March. All of the proposed changes have been untouched since 2010 (including those recommended by a lawyer). As well, there has not been any pressing need for the proposed additions since 2010. Seven more months of unchanged bylaws will have zero impact on the operation of LCS.

Stopping these proposed changes will give us all the opportunity to step back, and thoroughly review the entire bylaw package as a whole, in an open consultative process as was used for the 2010 bylaw revisions. This will result in a new set of bylaws that work together as a whole, and benefit us all (not just the Board). The bylaws belong to the members, and the members must be involved!

What can you do? Do not fall for the false sense of urgency this Board is trying to create. Support a more rational, thought-out, thorough, and consultative bylaw review by defeating the motion to accept these changes.

Only You Can Make a Change — Vote!

If you care about the future of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), vote on August 20! Your vote can and will make a difference for the future of our LCS.

Countdown to the Election