PDGA Ballot

[Dan Michler]

I got an email link to online voting for PDGA elections today.  Its so super easy and quick that even my retarded ADD ass can do it, so everybody should do it.  We have 3 club members whose names are on the ballot, so it might interest people to vote.

[Jon Brakel]

Dan, do you recall if there was a constitutional change included on the ballot? I don't really want to vote until I know what I'm voting on.

[Bruce Brakel]

Naturally they start with the Ms in Illinois and the candidates find out last.   

If we had all communicated a little bit more, none of us would be running against each other, but stuff happens.  It would be good for the IOS process if an IOS guy won in Illinois.  It would also be good for the IOS process if the IOS candidates running against each other would treat the election as seriously as a bag tag round.  Either of you will make a good State Coordinator.  I can't vote on that so I'm not picking sides.  But please everyone vote.  If it is a coin toss between Jon and Brett, on the 10 Brass coin Jon is Discraft and Brett is the Eagle.  Do what you have to and vote.

Please vote NO on the constitution changes unless you understand which of your rights you are throwing away and you want to throw away those rights.  You have not read the Constitution.  So you should not vote for it.  The last thing I knew about it, Theo wanted a new constitution to abolish player rights under the current Constitution.  After the membership gets done voting like sheep to abolish your rights, [that's what happened last time] if there is an amendment process that a member can start, I'll be working on that.

[Jon Brakel]

Brett and I talked last night and we are both cool with running against each other. Whoever wins...it's cool. We're just letting the good PDGA members of Illinois decide who they want. It's all good and it's good to have a real democratic process where there is more than one name on the ballot. Vote for who ever you want...just please vote!

[Dan Michler]

yes there was a constitutional change deal on there

[Jon Brakel]

This is what I posted on pdga.com and sent to every BOD member:

I have heard from people that have already voted in the PDGA elections that the new constitution is on the ballot. Who decided to put the constitution change on the ballot without disclosing the new constitution? Does this person think that the PDGA members are so clueless that we will approve a constitution that none of us have read? Was this somekind of amazing oversite that the new constitution wasn't released for review before the election? What's going on with this?

[whofarted]

can someone post the the statements for illinois state coordinater from jon, brett, and wilbur? i tried going back to through the ballot link and it wouldnt let me go far enough.  thanks

[Jon Brakel]

2006 PDGA Election – State/Province Coordinator Candidate Statements

Illinois - Jon Brakel #10246
I am a life-long Frisbee player. My brother Bruce forced me to begin playing Frisbee games at the age
of 6. Following the directions on the back of a Frisbee, "...Invent games," he and his friends invented a
game that involved chucking Frisbees at the six-year old. It was like "Guts" without the element of
personal risk of harm. When mom added an element of personal risk of harm, they "invented" Frisbee
golf.
Since being elected to the position of State Coordinator of Illinois 18 months ago I have helped
coordinate the installation of the first course in Chicago, founded the Illinois Disc Golf Tour to honor
the state's top disc golfers and awarded the USDGC state exemption at the first Chicago Disc Golf
Championship in 2005. I've also formed a team of Illinois players to start evaluations of Illinois
courses, helped bring a USADGC qualifier back to Illinois for 2006, and increased the Illinois Open
Series (that I co-TD) from 3 PDGA sanctioned events in 2004 to 7 in 2005 and 2006.
Whether I am re-elected State Coordinator or not, I will continue on this path to promote disc golf and
the PDGA in the state of Illinois. I think I can be more effective as the state coordinator, so I ask for
and would appreciate your vote.

Illinois - Brett Comincioli #19325
My name is Brett Comincioli and I played disc golf for the first time in June of 2001. Since then I have
been addicted to this game. I joined the PDGA in 2003. I was elected as President of DISContinuum
Disc Golf Club in 2004. Each year I continue to do more for the local disc golf scene. I retired from
coaching high school baseball so I could spend more time playing and promoting disc golf. This is how
much I love this game.
In terms of the responsibilities for the state coordinator position:
I will represent the PDGA, PDGA membership, and local clubs in a positive manor. I am a member of
DISContinuum DGC, Peoria Frisbee Club, Springfield DGC, and Quad Cities DGC. I know almost all
of the Illinois tournament directors and have played their events. I will make sure there are no conflicts
with the PDGA schedule.
I have played 64 courses in Illinois as of May 10, 2006. My goal is to play every Illinois course but it
gets harder and harder every year with the installation of new courses. I'll make sure to keep in contact
with local clubs and promoters to make sure the course directory stays up to date.. I would also like to
get the top courses in Illinois added to the Course Evaluation System.
I will make sure to promote PDGA memberships at every event that I attend. DISContinuum Disc Golf
Club is part of the affiliate club program. I will notify all clubs of this program. I will also contact
tournament directors about sanctioning events and all divisions. I will familiarize myself with the Disc
Golf Foundation and EDGE program so I can educate players about them.
If elected I will nominate an Illinois event as the qualifier for USDGC in 2007 and 2008. The top
finishing Open player at this event will be awarded the USDGC qualification spot. If that player cannot
attend it will be awarded to the next best finisher. I will make sure there is someone from Illinois
represented at the USDGC. I will also make sure one event is nominated as a USADGC qualifier in
2007 and 2008..
I will make sure to provide feedback to the PDGA about tour standards. I will vote and recommend
candidates for PDGA Awards. I will also take on any other duties the PDGA throws at me.
I am a disc golf player who loves playing PDGA events. I will promote the PDGA and represent all
Illinois players in a positive manor. I eat, drink, sleep, & breathe disc golf. I have a vision for Illinois
disc golf and want to see us move to the top.
Thank you for your support!

Illinois - Wilbur Wallis #6583
Professional: I am currently a Line Supervisor at Bell Sports, Inc. My primary responsibility is to build
displays for major retail chains. I have been with the company for 4 years, in my current position for 3.
Prior to my job at Bell, I was the manager of a music store for a large chain for 12 years. Before that I
was in the restaurant industry for about 10 years, about _ in management.
Disc Golf: I remember throwing Frisbees from about the age of 8. I first threw at baskets in 1986, and
have been a fanatic about Disc Golf ever since! I am the current Peoria Frisbee Club President. I
became a PDGA Certified Official in 1997. I have run or assisted at every level of competition from
non-sanctioned charity events to being a Course Director at several World Championships. I am an
Assistant TD for the United States Women's Disc Golf Championships this September. I was the first
State Coordinator for Illinois, being narrowly defeated by one vote by Jon Brakel in the last election. I
am a member of the Disc Golf Course Design Group and have designed, co-designed or consulted on
over 20 courses. I have participated in numerous clinics/demos for schools, scouts, churches, etc.
Platform: Lack of communication between geographical areas is the biggest issue in Illinois, in my
opinion. If elected I will start an online discussion group for TD's and other "movers & shakers" in the
state. I will offer space on my website to any club or area that does not have an online presence. I will
work with all Illinois TD's to sanction their events, create a tournament schedule and ensure that all
PDGA reports are filed in a timely manner. I will work with Course Evaluators to evaluate a minimum
of 15 courses a year, until all are evaluated. I will continue to promote disc golf and the PDGA.
Thank you for your consideration.

[DougEDawg]

I think that since Brett and Jon are equally liked up here in the Chicagoland area, they will end up splitting the vote, and Wilbur will be State Coordinator.  Maybe you two (Brett and Jon) should consolidate to one candidate (via flip a coin/rock, paper, scissors etc), so that the election will be a two man race without a vote split among popular candidates.  I guess it depends on how badly you want the position.  If you are equally happy with Wilbur as our coordinator, then my point is moot.

[Bruce Brakel]

Obviously Jon and Brett both running are splitting the vote, but that does not mean Wilbur wins.  Jon and Brett have created a lot of new voters since two years ago, through their efforts at Discontinuum, the IOS Series and other things they've done.  Jon and Brett both running will also energize the vote. 

Also, although it is helpful to the IOS process to have the State Coordinator in the process, it is not as if Wilbur is going to be a hindrance to the process.  So if he wins, he wins. 

If you share Doug Walker's concerns, e-mail him, and he can organize the coin toss for that block of voters.   

[K-Biscuit]

i don't know where all this voting stuff goes down.  i didn't get a ballot.  was i supposed to? 

[Jon Brakel]

i don't know where all this voting stuff goes down.  i didn't get a ballot.  was i supposed to? 

If you are a pdga member, you will get e-mailed a ballot. If you think the pdga does not have your e-mail address send an e-mail to office@pdga.com

[Bruce Brakel]

As seen on PDGA.com:

I spent some time reading the new Constitution last night and this morning, which is called the Bylaws, consistant with Colorado corporations law under which we are organized. It is nothing more than an absolute power grab by the directors. Because the Bylaws can be amended by a majority vote of the Board, once elected a majority of the Board has absolute power.

Recently whenever I draft a post with absolutes in it, I revise it to soften the tone. No revision is necessary here. The only right supposedly conferred on the membership here is the right to vote. However, a simple majority of the Board could strip you of that right at the first meeting after they are elected. Moreover, that right is conferred on "active members." Who has the right to become active members? No one. How do you become an active member? Not by paying your dues, but by the grace of the Board of Directors.

This is not a player's constitution. This is a bad joke.

[Jon Brakel]

I think that since Brett and Jon are equally liked up here in the Chicagoland area, they will end up splitting the vote, and Wilbur will be State Coordinator.  Maybe you two (Brett and Jon) should consolidate to one candidate (via flip a coin/rock, paper, scissors etc), so that the election will be a two man race without a vote split among popular candidates.  I guess it depends on how badly you want the position.  If you are equally happy with Wilbur as our coordinator, then my point is moot.

State Coordinator is just a job that needs to be done. Anyone of the three of us are competitent to do the job. I'm fine with whoever y'all want to be the state coordinator. It would be nice if we could just divide the job up into three positions and each take a role because each one of us could add something. Anyway, just vote for whoever you want...it will work out fine. But then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote NO to the constitution and bylaws changes!!! Thanks!!!

[Bruce Brakel]

Brett wins.  Yea!  [Means Jon will have more time to spend getting IOS stuff done.]  I lose.  Yea!  [I only ran to get Pat in.  He said he'd run if I ran.]  The membership votes away all their rights in favor of a half complete document.  Whatever. 

[Dan Michler]

congratulations Brett!  this is definitely a positive thing for IL disc golf.

[Jon Brakel]

Congratulations Brett!!! I'm glad that you won. I was a little bit concerned that Brett and I would split our Northern/IOS/Discontinuum votes and Wilbur might win and I did not think that Wilbur did all that he could with the position the last time he had it. I am sure that Brett will do a very good job as the coordinator for Illinois. I think it is good that these elections are democratic with choices to vote for...I probably would not have run this year if Brett had told me beforehand that he intended to run. That might be why Brett did not tell me he was running until after I had already put in my intention to run. Both of us were surprised that Wilbur ran, though and that made it quite interesting!

On a more depressing note, the unfinished constitution did pass...bummer. So, under the old constitution I would be the lame duck state coordinator until September 1st when Brett would take office. What happens with the new constitution?

[Bruce Brakel]

There are no state coordinators under the new constitution.  So what does it mean to get elected to a position that no longer exists?   

[CEValkyrie]

There are no state coordinators under the new constitution.  So what does it mean to get elected to a position that no longer exists?   

Good question.

Anyway, if this position continues i'll do my best. Here is what i'm really excited about. The # 137. That is how many people voted and by far more than any other state. This just shows how fast IL disc golf is growing. I have a few ideas for the next couple of years & we'll see what happens. Thanks to those of you who voted for me.

[Mike Clark]

Congratulations Brett!