For Keeping the NAGCR Constitution and By-Laws Unchanged

Regarding Don Morrison's proposed amendment to the Constitution I respectfully oppose it, not as a member of the Executive Committee - the Exec is non-partisan in these matters - but I write as an individual member of the NAGCR.

From the very beginning the NAGCR has been a body of people who are bell ringers. It is not much different than any skill or craft-based organization. I belong to another such group with skill-based requirements. Our craft is ringing; ringers are voting members; and we also generously include non-voting associate members. What's the big deal in that? Lots of organizations do the same thing without any problems at all. In fact, I am unaware of any problems issuing from our current set-up in the NAGCR.

Our requirements are not much different from diocesan ringing societies in the UK, if fact, I'm certain we modeled the NAGCR on such societies upon our founding. Maybe some of our founder members could chime in and shed some light upon this.

As a bell ringing guild we have been, since the beginning, affiliated with the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) in England.

Since the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers' purpose is to be.. "... the representative body for all who ring bells in the English tradition with rope and wheel, the majority of whom practise the art of change ringing." I would say that we could honestly no longer pretend affiliation under CCCBR if we are not an association of bell ringers.

I suppose if our membership want to pass this amendment we would no longer be the NAGCR. Perhaps we could become the NAGBAMCS, "North American Guild of Bell Aficionados, Marching and Chowder Society." A small joke, but seriously, we would lose the original purpose for our existence and assume another purpose, which is not bell RINGING.

I think Don's amendment proposal will fundamentally change the NAGCR into an entirely different organization, and as such I respectfully oppose it, will vote against it, and urge all concerned members to do the same.

Tom Miller