Big Dilemma...

[fatmanslim247]

Ok so here is the Dilemma:

My fishing and partner and I started a bass fishing club for our college earlier this year and we have grown, by 2 members.  Both of our new members are great fisherman, but we ran into a problem.  We started looking for some sponsors for our club, had two handed to us, for the most part.  Well one other member decided to contact other companies to use, which is fine and wanted.

Well I found out that he had accepted a sponsorship with a company that we had previously discussed and the majority of us didn't want to represent the company.  There were many reasons we didn't want to except it but the main reason was we were not confident in their products.  He accepted and didn't tell my partner or I, president and vice-president, and we heard it from another member.  I contacted him soon after hearing this and left a message.

He called me back and confirmed he had accepted the sponsorship on behalf of the club.  Well needless to say I was outraged. I kept my cool and told him to withdraw from the company to which he fought me on.  He said that just him and another member would use their products and that we didn't have to, etc.  I gave him an ultimatum of either dropping this company or his membership would be suspended until the next meeting.  As an executive, we can suspend his membership and the club as a whole can vote him to stay or go, according to our bylaws.  Well in the heat of all this, he also stated that he had accepted another offer from another company before we had voted on it.  We ended up going with the company so it didn't turn into a bad situation.  I found this out and suspended him immediately, for over stepping his bounds and I had full support of the executive board.  Then after this had all happened, he posted a wanted ad on craigslist for new members, which is a really good idea, but he lied and said we would pay for their tournaments, we were making videos, and their would be other free items.  

Now here is the big dilemma, if we do not vote him back in then what kind of repercussions will we face?  How will this make our club look?  Like I said it is a new club, we try our best to keep everything fair.  He did contact the company and resolved the issue but its like he is a loaded gun.  I'm scared of what he might do, it seems to me like he is in it for himself and not the club as a whole.  If we do let him back in what kind of restrictions should we give him?  Not allow him to fish next season?  Delay his season?  I should have posted this when it first happened but our meeting is tomorrow, and I am kind of up in the air on what should happen.

I know this is a long post and I appreciate anyone who reads it.  I really respect this boards opinions and that is why I posted it.

Thanks

alex

[Grey Wolf]

Put him on probation with the understanding that if he goes over the boards head , he will be expelled from the club.

[slider head]

These things generally do not get better. See where his head is at. If you become convinced these things will not happen again then let him back in.

People like this typically only make things worse. If there are any doubts after the sit down then it is 4th down a 40.......time to punt!

[nick76]

In this situation there are really only three types of people you are dealing with.  The first is the guy who is really apologetic and knows that he overstepped his bounds.  He will try to make this right however he can.  The second is the guy who will deny everything at all costs.  You will now because he often will trip himself up in a lie and once confronted will still deny it ever happened and it is usually someone elses fault.  The last type of person is the on who doesn't care about much other than themselves.  They often do things for their benefit and with little to no regard for anyone else.  This includes anyone who is in power above them.  

You already have a gut feeling who this guy really is.  If you thought he was sincerely apologetic you would not have had to ask.  If you knew he was the lying type and you had caught him dead in it, you would not have to ask.  Yet you know he is the last type of guy and are somehow trying to convince yourself he will change.  Don't waste your time.  Have the conversation.  He either accepts the punishment (prohbation) or he gets to moving on.  You may find that he has turned off potential members with his shinnanigans.  As a business man I have seen this happen too many times to count.  An honest man will accept his punishment and wait to make it right.  Any arguments will say he wants to do otherwise.

[TruflShufl]

In this situation there are really only three types of people you are dealing with. The first is the guy who is really apologetic and knows that he overstepped his bounds. He will try to make this right however he can. The second is the guy who will deny everything at all costs. You will now because he often will trip himself up in a lie and once confronted will still deny it ever happened and it is usually someone elses fault. The last type of person is the on who doesn't care about much other than themselves. They often do things for their benefit and with little to no regard for anyone else. This includes anyone who is in power above them.

You already have a gut feeling who this guy really is. If you thought he was sincerely apologetic you would not have had to ask. If you knew he was the lying type and you had caught him dead in it, you would not have to ask. Yet you know he is the last type of guy and are somehow trying to convince yourself he will change. Don't waste your time. Have the conversation. He either accepts the punishment (prohbation) or he gets to moving on. You may find that he has turned off potential members with his shinnanigans. As a business man I have seen this happen too many times to count. An honest man will accept his punishment and wait to make it right. Any arguments will say he wants to do otherwise.

We appreciate the posts, guys.  8-)

[fatmanslim247]

Well here is the update:

We had our meeting and he was not able to show due to a work conflict but we held the meeting since all other members were able to come. Everyone knew the situation, had talked to him, and me. Against my better judgment I decided to vote him back into the club with the rest of our members. There was the stipulation that he could not fish the next 2 qualifiers, which each qualifier is for one tournament. We have 7 tournaments next year, so I did not think it was horrible but a reasonable punishment and everyone agreed.

Well I send him a text message saying what we all talked about and his probation term. Well this ticked him off severely and he contacted our president. He was saying that there was nothing in our constitution saying that he couldn't do it or that there would be an consequences. He was right, our constitution is vague which we realized it needs revised. We voted as a club to do everything so far with sponsors, except that he has gone around the club twice without a vote. He tried to say the president and I didn't want him in our club and we were trying everything to get him out and the other new member. We have worked with them, given them tournaments that we had already signed up for. I believe overall we have treated him equally without any discrimination at all.

Now the only thing I am really worried about is our new sponsors and what he will try to do. Or maybe he will go to our school and try to do something that way? I am kind of worried about that, we have worked hard to get this going in the right direction and this happens.

Thanks for the replies to this post, it really helped me out deciding on what I personally was going to do.

[Sam]

Thr guy is a loose cannon.

The club has to ask the most important, but simple Ann Landers question and then make a decision: "Are you better off with or without him?"

Your call.  

[Muddy]

Take him fishing on a secluded lake

go out just as sun breaks

make sure no one is around

keep him in front seat

shot him in the back of his head

tie cinder blocks you have hidden in the live well to the body

throw overboard

elect new member to take his place

you fellas all make mountains out of molehills

[Skunked in DR]

Otherwise known as Fredo fishing

[Stasher1]

Take him fishing on a secluded lake

go out just as sun breaks

make sure no one is around

keep him in front seat

shot him in the back of his head

tie cinder blocks you have hidden in the live well to the body

throw overboard

elect new member to take his place

you fellas all make mountains out of molehills

Bingo. If you'd run your fishing club more like a biker gang, these types of things wouldn't happen.  ;D

[bilgerat]

Take him fishing on a secluded lake

go out just as sun breaks

make sure no one is around

keep him in front seat

shot him in the back of his head

tie cinder blocks you have hidden in the live well to the body

throw overboard

elect new member to take his place

you fellas all make mountains out of molehills

So that's where "Sleep with the fishies" originated, huh ?  

[TruflShufl]

Take him fishing on a secluded lake

go out just as sun breaks

make sure no one is around

keep him in front seat

shot him in the back of his head

tie cinder blocks you have hidden in the live well to the body

throw overboard

elect new member to take his place

you fellas all make mountains out of molehills

;D Shouldve known the Northeasterner would suggest such a thing!!

[flechero]

You guys should give him a list of acceptable companies to contact...   he is obviously a better salesman than anyone else in the club.  I bet you aren't upset when you deposit the checks or open up the free gear.  If you are serious about sponsorship than maybe you guys need a little less "club" in your club.  

no, I didn't read all the responses, just shooting from the hip.  

[fatmanslim247]

No, he just contacted everyone with a mass email.... lol, We pick companies that we can trust and support.  I have picked up two so far, so I will say we are doing pretty good.

Believe me, the northerners think about like I do.... I would say I am italian or something but its more like pure breed white trailer trash, but I can move your trailer in a hurry

[fourbizz]

but I can move your trailer in a hurry

[NewAngler]

Take him fishing on a secluded lake

go out just as sun breaks

make sure no one is around

keep him in front seat

shot him in the back of his head

tie cinder blocks you have hidden in the live well to the body

throw overboard

elect new member to take his place

you fellas all make mountains out of molehills

says the Italian fisherman

[J Francho]

Wow, you have a club with 4 members, and have already voted someone out.  Jeez....

If my club dictated whom I can and cannot contact about my sponsorships, I would tell them to jump in the lake.  Your terms of membership are ridiculous.  Good luck attracting new members.

[TruflShufl]

Wow, you have a club with 4 members, and have already voted someone out. Jeez....

If my club dictated whom I can and cannot contact about my sponsorships, I would tell them to jump in the lake. Your terms of membership are ridiculous. Good luck attracting new members.

This isn't about his sponsorships. As a college team, this is about our sponsorships. If the whole club is going to represent a company, shouldn't the whole club have a say in who it is?

[etommy28]

here is what my club does to avoid this, let a potental sponsor know by when your desition will be made. also tell them the only one that will give them a final desition is the president (or whom ever), this works for us and I think it will work for yall.

[J Francho]

Wow, you have a club with 4 members, and have already voted someone out. Jeez....

If my club dictated whom I can and cannot contact about my sponsorships, I would tell them to jump in the lake. Your terms of membership are ridiculous. Good luck attracting new members.

This isn't about his sponsorships. As a college team, this is about our sponsorships. If the whole club is going to represent a company, shouldn't the whole club have a say in who it is?

I see, but still, that's not necessarily true. In most clubs, they have a quorum rule. Not ALL members need to agree or even be present when a motion is made, seconded, and voted upon.

Anyway, this is much ado about nothing. Take the money. No club sponsor has ever required we use their products or services, just advertise. I'm curious as to the company that is so business savvy, they thought a four man club was worth the investment.

What is alarming to me, is that in its infancy, this club has set a precedent for exclusion.  Not a great formula for success.

:

[etommy28]

yeah, lets put it this way if yall are turning stuff esp. mone downsend it my way. we need it.

[done]

For those of you in dissension with the course they took, please explain this to me. Personal sponsors are person, no disagreement there.

However, if you have someone who is a member (not any authority), even of a small club, making decisions and claiming to represent the entire organization in dealings with a 3rd party, how is that kosher?  I may not be understanding the way things work for a Bass club, that is extremely possible, hence the question.

I also think a big thing here is, he did it the first time, they approached him and said that is not how they want things done and don't do it again and he ignored them. Seems to me the first time he was contacted about it, he had 2 choices, say "my mistake." (after all, as stated the rules of the club did not explicitly restrict this type of thing), and not do it again, or decide the club is not the type he wants to be a member of and leave. From the way i read all this, he went for option 3 ignore them completely and do what he wants.

Either way, I would look at revising your charter though to explicitly lay out rules for such things.