We’re here at the DANK National Election which will start off with the Delegate Business Meeting from 9:00-11:00. This is were nominations from the floor can be made and candidates can talk about their vision for the organization. The actual election will take place from 11:00-12:00. Live updates will be provided as soon as we get started and the updates will appear with the newest one on top.
11:20
The election meeting is wrapping up and pictures will be posted later today. That completes the Live blog… more posts will be popping up during the remainder of the convention.
11:18
Due to positive experiences at some test festivals, DANK is going to increase it’s participation in popular festivals around the country to help spread the word about DANK and hopefully establish new chapters.
11:14
Every chapter is going to receive the Roberts Rules of Order book for free along with other useful materials
11:10
The sub-chapter will become independent in the coming months
11:09
The Mason-Dixon sub-chapter started with 5 or 6 people, which has grown to around 40 today
11:07
Erik Wittmann is speaking now and just announced that for the first time, one of DANK’s new Sub-Chapters is becoming an independent chapter
11:02
There is still a lot of work to be done and the National Board is going to need the full participation from the chapters.
11:01
National President Bill Fuchs is speaking
11:00
Ceremony is wrapping up
10:53
Official oaths are taking place
10:52
The elected officers are coming forward, each with their own candle.
10:51
The installation ceremony is beginning. A unity candle is being lit and a symbolic torch is displayed
10:50
All National Board positions has been filled and the voting is complete
10:47
National Secretary nominee is Beverly Pochatko is nominated and is reelected for another 2 year term.
10:46
On to nominations for National Treasurer. Maria Thompson is the only nominee and accepts to continue for another 2 year term.
10:45
VP Winners are Erik Wittmann and Donna Lippert
10:44
The votes have been counted and the winner is about to be announced
10:33
Voting is now happening and being sent in to be counted
10:32
His time at DANK has been an eye opener into his knowledge if his heritage and he has been inspired to continue in the efforts to help the organization in teaching German heritage.
10:31
Jerry is coming up to talk
10:30
Donna has the floor.
10:28
Erik is committed to working with DANK whether he is elected or not and has high hopes for continued revitalization of the organization.
10:25
Erik is giving a few words
10:22
Voting for VP is about to take place
10:21
He is on the Fox Valley chapter board. 2 VP positions can be filled.
10:20
Jerry Schliephake has been nominated from the floor
10:19
Erik Whitmann and Donna Lippert are nominated for National VP
10:18
Bill Fuchs will continue as DANK’s National President for another 2 year term
10:16
Nominee for National President is Bill Fuchs. There are no nominations from the floor.
10:13
The ballots are being distributed to chapter delegates
10:11
Bill Fuchs is done giving his speech. The election is about to take place.
10:08
In order to bring the change, everyone involved in the organization needs to step up and help.
10:06
DANK is looking to upgrading the computer systems in the office but donations are necessary.
10:04
There are still some challenges ahead. Something that needs work is the National Membership database system to adapt to the continued growth.
10:03
The goal is to have Germans represented with a more positive image in the US
10:02
This is slowly becoming a movement over in Germany. This is an opportunity for DANK to reach out to the community
10:00
DANK can explore this concept and get more involved in community service events
9:59
Bill is explaining how many Germans have no real concept for stewardship and giving time to provide a service for the community. Youth in the US want to do community service, and are often required to show that they have done something in order to get into college.
9:56
If Bill is reelected, he has a lot more plans on how things can be changed to bring an increased success to DANK as an organization.
9:55
DANK saved around $25,000 by evaluating the budget in the last 2 years.
9:53
The importance of the credit card is being talked about. If every member signed up for the free credit card DANK would receive $150,000. All the card holder needs to do is make one purchase and DANK receives $50 (only for the first purchase) and then a percentage of all purchases after.
9:50
He’s thanking those involved in creating the change
9:47
Other changes include the redesigned German-American Journal and website
9:46
He is very happy with the changes that have happened, which include remodeling the national office, hiring of the office manager (Amelia Cotter), better tracking of membership statistics which show an increase, and reestablishing dormant chapters.
9:43
National President Bill Fuchs is talking about the change he has brought to DANK in the last 2 years
9:41
Bill is thanking Bob Miske for his role as parliamentarian.
9:37
Closing remarks are being given by the president… everything else went really quick. He is adding a remark to the financial report which shows a negative balance which is due to the change of when membership dues are due. When the dues come in next month they will turn the balance into the positive.
9:36
Maria is giving her finance report
9:32
Role call is being performed…the are 64 delegates present
9:30
The Pledge of Allegiance was done as well as a moment of silence for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting.
9:29
He is giving his comments on yesterday’s events
9:27
Audio is better so we are getting started with a welcome by President Bill Fuchs
9:25
Once the audio is figured out we will begin
9:23
There are some audio problems due to a room change which puts us in a large room with echoes.
9:20
The room is quiet and the meeting is beginning
9:13
There will be a recap of last nights dinner and dance at DANK South’s Club House later today.
9:10
People are still showing up… the turn out is pretty good. We’ll get started very shortly.
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November 7th, 2009
Congratulations again to all of those on the DANK National Board that were re-elected today November 7th, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Express held in Tinley Park Illinois. We are also here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of DANK National along with the 50th anniversary of DANK South located in Frankfort Illinois.
P.S. Thanks to Stephen Fuchs for making this web-site a reality! He is totally the best web-master in the world! Keep up the good work!