(Posted at Information Dissemination - Bolded emphasis SWJ.)
For too many years, I have not paid close attention to the governance of the U.S. Naval Institute. I have taken for granted the fact that the Institute would always provide the "independent forum" that allows us to freely explore and share ideas in a public environment unencumbered by bureaucracy, rank, or politics. Since 1873, commands around the world have had spirited professional discussions that began with the phrase: "did you read the article in this month's Proceedings about...?" As an active duty Naval Officer, I always knew that I was free to enter these discussions--or even start one of my own—without fear of censorship or reprisal. Now that freedom is threatened by a proposal to change the Institute into an advocacy-based organization. As a loyal USNI Life member, I recommend the following:
1. Vote "no" on this initiative. Your vote counts and we need numbers to make sure this issue is resolved decisively.
2. Publicly support the continuing service of our USNI CEO, Tom Wilkerson. He is an extraordinarily courageous and innovative leader who has the Institute on the right course.
3. Publicly demand the creation of an independent panel to develop recommendations—subject to membership approval—that will improve USNI governance. For example, our current governance process is obviously tilted toward nominating retired flag officers, former senior defense officials, and corporate executives for election to the USNI Board of Directors. This demographic group is not representative of the diverse character of our USNI membership.
I have personally contributed to this unfortunate state of affairs by not paying close enough attention to USNI governance issues. I will not be making that mistake again. Please vote "NO" on this important initiative and let your voice be heard.
Comments
I agree with you on the need to maintain the NI mission as is and not turn it into an advocacy group, and an independent panel might strengthen the board. I have to disagree with your assessment of Wilkerson's leadership. The influence of the NI has declined precipitously under his leadership, former partners are increasingly reluctant to work with it, and by all accounts he has driven anyone with a backbone out of the organization altogether. In my opinion, he has been a disaster.
Boards are the redoubts of the wealthy, hence the representation of retired flag officers, senior defense officials, and corporate executives. Long-term you could seek to have rotating junior members on the board, some sort of membership representative, but in the short term you are challenged on changing the direction now. How do you reach the current board members? What language would they understand?
-Large numbers of non-renewals in membership
-Decrease in donations
-Communications with partners and sponsors objecting to the change
-For any of the above to have an impact you need to be able to reach a large swath of the membership, many of whom do not read SWJ or other on-line fora