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On October 17 1997, our cable access television show The Atheist Experience made its debut. One of the important features of the show was the live call-in format. Ray Blevins, the host of the show, was willing to take a chance on this highly unpredictable format. He was joined by co-host Joe Zamecki. At first the show was only an hour long and aired live every other Sunday. In September of 1998, the show was extended by half an hour. In December of 1999, the show began going out over the internet. Now anyone in the world with a computer could watch our show.
Bylaws of Atheist Community of Austin, Inc.
Download: Word | Download: PDF
As revised on February 10, 2017
These bylaws constitute the code of rules adopted by the Atheist Community of Austin, Incorporated (hereafter "the ACA") for the regulation and management of its affairs. The ACA is a nonprofit corporation organized under the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Act (referred to as the "Act").
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support atheist community; to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote atheist viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists, and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
This organization shall operate in an open, democratic manner, without discrimination as to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality or disability.
The Bylaws to this Constitution are intended to further define and explain the operating procedure of this organization. Changes may be made to the Bylaws when necessary to improve the operation of this organization. Changes to the Bylaws shall not alter the purpose of this organization as set forth in this Constitution.
Registered Office and Registered Agent
The ACA shall comply with the requirements of the Act and maintain a registered office and registered agent in Texas. The registered office may, but need not, be identical with the ACA's principal office in Texas. The Board of Directors may change the registered office and the registered agent as provided in the Act.
(1) Membership in this organization is open to all persons at least 15 years of age who are free of theistic beliefs and who support the purposes for which this organization is founded. Membership is contingent upon agreeing to and abiding by the ACA Anti-Harassment Policy. Any member eligible to vote may vote on any motion, resolution, nomination or election at any general membership meeting or convention called by the ACA.
(2) A member is anyone who is accepted through the application process. Rights, classes, terms of membership, and eligibility to vote and other aspects of membership shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The membership terms of current members will remain in force until their membership expires or is terminated for cause.
(3) Regularly scheduled membership meetings shall be held throughout the year as determined by the Board of Directors. Members may also call a membership meeting upon petition signed by at least ten (10) members. There will be at least 4 regularly scheduled general membership meetings per year.
Board of Directors
(1) Powers - The Board of Directors ("Directors") of this Corporation is vested with the management of the business and affairs of this Corporation, subject to the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act, the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws.
(2) Qualifications - Directorships shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, sex or national origin. Directors shall be members of the ACA for six months or more prior to election and must be interested and knowledgeable supporters of the ACA's purpose. Employees of the ACA are ineligible to serve on the Board of Directors. Anyone running for a directorship shall be of majority age (18) when they assume office the first board meeting after the end of the fiscal year. (Currently this is the second Sunday in June)
(3) Number and Classes of Directors - The Board of Directors will consist of 9 Directors. Upon majority resolution of the Board of Directors, the number of Directors may be increased or decreased from time to time, but in no event shall a decrease have the effect of shortening the term of an incumbent Director, or decreasing the total number of Directors to fewer than three Directors.
(4) Election of Directors - Elections for Directors filling expired terms shall be held in the last month of the fiscal year, scheduled by the Directors at least 2 weeks in advance. Any candidate for election must have been nominated by another member of the ACA. Election will be by majority vote of the present membership. If a majority of the membership votes to invalidate the results of an election, the board of directors will investigate, change election procedure if necessary and schedule a new election.
Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of Directors shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors or at a special meeting called for that purpose. When a re-appointment or replacement is made, the re-appointment or replacement shall be considered effective on the date that the prior term expired (i.e., the new term does not begin on the date of the election).
(5) Attendance - Directors are expected to attend at least 50% of regular Board meetings in person. During the fiscal year, any Director not physically present at 50% of the Board meetings or who misses 3 consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings shall be deemed to have resigned unless the Board excuses the absences by a majority vote.
(6) Resignation - Any Director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Secretary or President of the Board of Directors. Such resignation shall take effect upon receipt or, if later, at the time specified in the notice.
(7) Removal - A Director may be removed if it is determined that the Director is or has engaged in conduct that is materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the ACA. This removal can only be by majority vote of the membership, following the procedure given in the Addenda to these By-laws.
(8) Vacancies - Vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, and the Director filling the vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term of the directorship that was vacated. Vacancies shall be filled as soon as practical. Any Director may make nominations to fill vacant directorships. After a single regularly scheduled board meeting has passed without any nomination being made for any vacancies, any ACA member in good standing may make a nomination for any vacancies. Any Director so appointed must be confirmed by a majority of members at a general meeting for which at least two weeks' notice of the election has been given.
(9) Compensation - Directors and Officers shall not receive any salaries or other compensation for their services, but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may be reimbursed for any actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties for the ACA. The Board shall establish a policy governing such potential reimbursements at the time it adopts its annual budget. The ACA shall not loan for personal use money or property to, or guarantee the obligation of, any Director or Officer.
(10) Conflict of Interest for Board Membership - No two Directors may serve at the same time if they are in a supervisory relationship with each other. If such a relationship develops while a Director is serving on the Board, the remaining Directors will vote to remove one or both of the Directors involved.
Board of Directors Meetings
(1) Place of Board Meetings - Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of Directors will be held at any place that the board may designate by a majority vote. Regular board meetings must take place in the greater Austin area. If the chosen place becomes unsuitable prior to the next board meeting, the president may designate a new place for the next board meeting only. There will be at least 6 regularly scheduled board meetings per year.
(2) Regular and Special Meetings - Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly. The President or any three Directors may call special Meetings.
(3) Notice of Board Meetings - Notice of the date, time, and place of Regular Meetings shall be made available to ACA members at least one week prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of special meetings shall be made available to ACA members as soon as possible prior to the meeting, with the exception of special meetings held to amend the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws, for which a 5-day written notice shall be required specifying the proposed amendment.
(4) Waiver of Notice - Attendance by a Director at any meeting of the Board of Directors for which the Director did not receive the required notice will constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting unless the Director objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business on the grounds that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
(5) Quorum - A majority of the incumbent Directors (not counting vacancies) shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of convening a meeting or conducting business. At Board meetings where a quorum is present, a majority vote of the Directors attending shall constitute an act of the Board unless a greater number is required by the Articles of Incorporation or by any provision of these bylaws.
(6) Actions without a Meeting - Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act, the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws may be taken without a meeting, if a majority of Directors individually and collectively consent in writing or e-mail or facsimile, setting forth the action to be taken. Such written consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of the Board, and shall be included in the next month's minutes.
(7) Duties of Directors - A director shall discharge the director's duties in good faith, with ordinary care, in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the ACA and in any other manner as set forth in the Act, as amended.
(1) Standing Committees - The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors in office, may designate standing committees. The Board shall appoint the chair of each committee and the chair shall select the committee members. Each standing committee shall have at least one Director as a member. Employees of the ACA may also be appointed to serve as committee members. Committees shall meet upon call of the Board of Directors or the chair of the Committee, review the activities of the ACA in the Committee's respective area(s), and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for the Board's final approval. The Chair of each committee shall ensure that minutes of the committee meetings are taken and present a copy of the minutes to the Secretary within the two weeks following the meeting. Committee meetings shall be open to all members of the ACA.
(2) Work groups - Work groups will be formed by the Board of Directors for a specific project, and will be dissolved upon the completion of that project. The Board shall appoint the leader of each work group, and the leader shall select the remainder of the group. Work groups will provide regular progress reports to the Board, which retains complete authority over the group, including the power to disband any work group that:
1) Fails to reasonably accomplish its objectives,
2) Outlives its purpose, or
3) Engages in activities that are inconsistent with the purposes of the Atheist Community of Austin.
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE and PROVISIONS FOR ABUSE
Unacceptable Conduct. The Board of Directors may at their discretion vote by a simple majority to charge any officer, board member, committee member, volunteer, general member or visitor associated with this organization of unacceptable conduct. The charge(s) must be accompanied by a proposal for an appropriate punishment. Unacceptable actions may include, but are not limited to: failure to perform the duties of their office, abusive or disruptive behavior during ACA activities, statements or actions which oppose the principles and purpose of the ACA, unauthorized use of ACA property or records, making false or misleading statements deemed likely to be misinterpreted as official ACA announcements or outside activities deemed likely to expose the ACA to financial or legal liability or public embarrassment.
Ratification. Upon voting in favor of an appropriate wording for an incident of Unacceptable Conduct by a person or group, the Board of Directors must, after giving proper advanced notice, then bring the matter before a meeting of this organization's general membership. The Board shall then and there make an explanation of the Unacceptable Conduct charge to that gathering, along with a recommendation for an appropriate penalty to be imposed. After a period of discussion not to exceed a total of one hour of equal access time by all parties wishing to speak on the matter, a vote for Ratification shall be called. Ratification will require sixty percent (60%) of the verified members present voting in favor of such action.
Penalties and Enforcement. Upon Ratification, the Board of Directors may proceed with invoking whatever actions and/or penalties that were approved by the ratification process. All officers, directors, volunteers, and the entire general membership will be expected to abide by those actions and penalties and help enforce them. Any member of this organization who does not abide by those penalties and/or attempts to help defeat its full enforcement, will be immediately suspended from the organization and barred from further participation for the duration of the suspension. They will also themselves be subject to charges of Unacceptable Conduct by the board of directors. Proposed punishments may include, but are not limited to: reprimand, reimbursement of monetary damage, expulsion from an elected post or committee membership or ACA events, termination of membership, and/or the initiation of legal proceedings against the individual thus charged.
Code of Ethics
The Atheist Community of Austin (ACA) will comply with the following Code in all of their actions. As long as the ACA is in existence, and except with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, no director, officer, employee or member of the ACA shall:
(a) Do any act in violation of these Bylaws or a binding obligation of the ACA;
(b) Do any act with the intention of harming the ACA or any of its operations;
(c) Do any act that would make it unnecessarily difficult to carry on the intended or ordinary business of the ACA;
(d) Receive an improper personal benefit from the operation of the ACA;
(e) Use the assets of this Corporation, directly or indirectly, for any purpose other than carrying on the business of this Corporation;
(f) Wrongfully transfer or dispose of Corporation property, including intangible property such as goodwill; and
(g) Use the name of the ACA or any trademark or trade name adopted by the ACA, except on behalf of the ACA or in the ordinary course of the ACA's mission.
(1) Roster of Officers - The ACA shall have a president and a vice-president elected by the general membership. A secretary, treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed necessary will be elected by the Board from amongst its members and approved by the general membership at the next regular membership meeting. As members of the Board of Directors, all portions of these bylaws that relate to Board members will govern Officers. Members of the Board of Directors may hold more than one position when necessary to carry out the activities of the organization (except the president and secretary), as determined by the board of directors and approved by the membership
(2) Election, Removal and Term of Office - All officers shall serve one-year terms. The election shall be conducted at the Board of Directors' last meeting of the fiscal year and following the election of the new Board of Directors filling expired terms, or as soon as practical thereafter. Officers shall remain in office until their successors have been selected. Officers may serve consecutive terms without limit.
(3) Vacancies - If a vacancy occurs during the term of office for any elected officer, for whatever reason, the Board of Directors shall elect a new officer from amongst its members to fill the remainder of the term as soon as practical, by majority vote of Directors present.
(4) President - The President shall be the chief executive officer of the ACA. The President:
shall serve as the ACA's spokesperson or appoint others as spokespersons and represent the ACA to other groups;
shall supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the ACA;
will perform all duties incident to such office and such other duties as may be provided in these bylaws or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors;
shall preside at all board meetings and shall exercise parliamentary control in accordance with Article 9;
shall serve as an ex-officio member of all standing committees, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or these bylaws;
with the advice of the Board of Directors and in accordance with the requirements of these bylaws, set the agenda for each meeting of the Board of Directors;
may execute any checks, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments that the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed. However, the President may not execute instruments on behalf of the ACA if this power is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the ACA by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws, or statute or as stated elsewhere in these bylaws.
The President shall present information on the state of the organization at a general membership meeting called for that purpose no less than eight weeks prior to the board election.
(5) Vice-President - The Vice President shall act in place of the President in the event of the President's absence, inability, or refusal to act, and shall exercise and discharge such other duties as may be required by the board. The Vice-president shall perform such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or delegate.
(6) Secretary - The Secretary will perform or be responsible for ensuring that all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these bylaws shall be performed. The Secretary:
shall attest to and keep the bylaws and other legal records of the ACA or copies thereof, including copies of all minutes;
shall take or ensure that someone takes minutes of all meetings of the committees and Board of Directors;
shall keep a record of the names and addresses of the Directors;
shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, set up procedures for any elections held by the ACA;
shall keep a record of all votes cast in such elections;
shall ensure that all records of the ACA, minutes of all official meetings, and records of all votes, are made available for inspection by any member of the Board of Directors;
shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with these bylaws or as required by law;
shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates, correspondence and other documents and records of the ACA are properly kept and filed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and resolutions of the Board of Directors.
In the case of the absence or disability of the Secretary, or the Secretary's refusal or neglect to fulfill the duties of Secretary, the Vice President shall perform the functions of the Secretary. If no member of the Board has been designated the parliamentarian, the Secretary shall serve as the parliamentarian and interpret any ambiguities of the bylaws.
(7) Treasurer - The Treasurer will perform or be responsible for ensuring that all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these bylaws shall be performed. The Treasurer:
shall have charge and custody of all funds of the ACA, will oversee and supervise the financial business of the ACA, will render reports, accountings and documents as required by the Federal Government, the State of Texas and the Board of Directors to the Directors;
shall devise a plan providing for the acceptance and disbursement of all funds of the ACA which shall be approved by the Board of Directors;
shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, set up all checking, savings, and investment accounts of the ACA and deposit all such funds in the name of the ACA in such accounts. The Treasurer's signature shall be one of the authorized signatures for all checking, savings, and investment accounts of the ACA unless the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Directors, designates another member of the Board of Directors or employee of the ACA as the authorized signatory for a particular type of disbursement;
shall be responsible for insuring the maintenance of all financing records, books, and annual reports of the financial activities of the ACA at the principal office of the ACA and make them available at the request of any Director, member of the ACA or member of the public in accordance with the law of the State of Texas for inspection and copying;
Rules of Procedure
Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall govern the proceedings and business of the Board of Directors unless otherwise provided for by the Board.
(1) Insurance - This Corporation shall have the right to purchase and maintain insurance to the full extent permitted by law on behalf of its officers, directors, employees and other agents, to cover any liability asserted against or incurred by any officer, director, employee or agent, or arising from the officer's, director's, employee's or agent's status as such.
(2) Indemnification - The ACA shall have the right to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit or proceeding (whether or not by or in the right of the ACA), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the ACA against all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, as amended, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any such person as indemnified pursuant to this Article 10. For the purposes of this article, an agent includes one who is or was serving at the request of the ACA as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise. Any repeal of amendment of this Article 10 by the ACA or by adverse changes in applicable law shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only, and not adversely affect the indemnification of any person who may be indemnified at the time of such repeal or amendment.
(1) The financial and material assets of this organization shall be owned by the membership. Such assets shall be controlled and used by the board of directors only for purposes consistent with this Constitution and Bylaws and subject to review by the membership. A member is not, as such, personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of this organization.
(2) Execution of Documents - Unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors or as otherwise required by law, all final contracts, deeds, conveyances, leases, promissory notes or legal written instruments executed in the name of and on behalf of the ACA shall be signed and executed by the President or such other person designated by the Board of Directors, pursuant to the general authorization of the Board. All conveyances of land by deed must be approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors and shall be signed by the President or two other members of Executive Committee, or by two officers if no Executive Committee has been created.
(3) Disbursement of Funds - Financial Transactions that have a value of $500 or more if not included in the annual budget shall require majority approval of the Board of Directors. In all other transactions, the President may dispense the funds of the ACA in accordance with expenditures approved by the Board of Directors and the purposes of the ACA as set out in the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws. Notwithstanding the above, all checks of more than $500 disbursing funds from any of the ACA's accounts shall require the signatures of at least two individuals as authorized by Board resolution. For purposes of this clause, "signature" shall include electronic approval. Money may only be disbursed from the proper fund that exists for that purpose. These funds include:
An operating fund. The purpose of the operating fund is to support the normal, day-to-day activities of ACA. Normal inflows will include, but not be limited to, membership dues and anonymous donations made at meetings. The Treasurer is authorized to pay routine expenditures out of this account.
A building fund. The purpose of the building fund is to accumulate money to be eventually used toward the purchase of a building for ACA use. Normal inflows are to include Randall's Remarkable Card contributions, Amazon.com's percentage of book sales from ACA's website, and any other moneys that ACA's board of directors choose to deposit there. Withdrawals from the building fund may only occur with the approval of 2/3 of the board.
A permanent fund. The purpose of the permanent fund is to establish an eventual, long-term source of income and emergency cash to ensure ACA's survival. Normal inflows are to include any donation earmarked for the permanent fund, and any other moneys that ACA's board of directors chooses to deposit there. Withdrawals from the permanent fund may only occur with the approval of 3/4 of the entire board. (If the board only consists of three members, there must be unanimous approval to spend from the permanent fund.)
(4) Procurement Policy - The ACA shall adopt and abide by a procurement policy that shall be an addendum to these bylaws.
(5) Records - The ACA will keep correct and complete records of account and will also keep minutes of the proceedings of the Board meetings and Committees. The ACA will keep at its principal place of business the original or a copy of its bylaws, including amendments to date certified by the Secretary of the ACA.
(6) Privacy - The personal information of current, past and prospective members shall be treated as confidential. Individuals may grant permission for their contact information to be shared within ACA's membership, however, all membership lists, files and databases of personal data are the property of ACA and may not be sold to, shared with, or given to any individual or organization, atheist or otherwise under any circumstance except as required by law.
(7) Inspection of Books and Records - All books and records of this Corporation may be inspected by any Director for any purpose at any reasonable time on written demand. The ACA shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts.
(8) Deposits - All funds of the ACA shall be invested to the credit of the ACA in banks, trust companies, stocks and bonds with a S&P rating of at least A or other depositories that the Board of Directors selects.
(9) Loans - No Loans shall be contracted on behalf of the ACA and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. The ACA will make no loans to any of its Directors or Officers.
(10) Gifts - The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the ACA any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the ACA. The ACA may make gifts and give contributions only to an organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any successor federal tax code.
(11) Bonding - The Board of Directors may require the Treasurer or others charged with the disbursement of funds to be bonded at the expense of the ACA.
(12) Fiscal Year - The fiscal year of the ACA shall be June 1 through May 31.
(13) Audit - The ACA shall have a periodic external, independent audit every 3 years or as required by the Board of Directors.
Conflicts of Interest
(1) The Directors of this Corporation owe a duty of loyalty to the organization which requires that in serving the ACA they act, not in their personal interests or in the interests of others, but rather solely in the interests of Corporation. Directors must have undivided allegiance to the ACA 's mission and may not use their positions as Directors, information they have about the ACA, or Corporation property, in a manner that allows them to secure a pecuniary benefit for themselves or their relatives.
(2) Business transactions of the ACA in which a Director has an interest shall not be prohibited, but they shall be subject to close scrutiny. Such proposed transactions shall be reviewed carefully to determine that they are in the best interests of Corporation and that they will not lead to conflict of interest. For the purposes of this policy, a Director has an interest in a proposed transaction if he/she has a substantial financial interest in it, or has a substantial financial interest in any organization involved in the proposed transaction, or holds a position as trustee, director, general manager or principal officer in any such organization. Prior to the start of any negotiations, or consideration of any proposal by the organization, Directors are expected to make full disclosure to the best of their knowledge of any substantial financial interest in a proposed transaction by submitting a report to the President or other officer designated by the Board to handle such matters, supplying any reasons why the transaction might not be in the best interest of the ACA. In matters requiring prior approval of the Board of Directors, the President or other officer shall forward copies of this disclosure report to the Board before its approval.
(3) A Director with a substantial interest in a proposed transaction shall not vote on the matter and, depending upon the circumstances, may be excluded from any discussion of the matter.
(4) A Director shall not use inside information of Corporation for his/her personal benefit, or use such inside information or his/her position as Director to the detriment of the ACA. Inside information is information obtained through the Director's position that has not become public information.
For the purpose of this policy, Relative means spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, the spouses of children and grandchildren, and any other blood relative, if the latter resides in the same household.
(5) Each Director has a duty to place the interests of the ACA foremost in any dealings involving the organization and has a continuing responsibility to comply with the requirements of this Policy. On an annual basis, each Director is required to complete a Director Disclosure Statement as shall be adopted by the Board and attached as Addendum A to these Bylaws.
The Board of Directors may adopt Articles of Amendment (amending the Articles of Incorporation) by a vote of two-thirds of Directors present at a meeting where a quorum is present, followed by ratification of the proposed amendment by the membership.
Dissolution or Sale of Assets
The membership of this organization has sole authority to merge with another organization, or dissolve and distribute the organization's assets, subject to the limitations listed within this article.
Any proposal for merger or dissolution and distribution of assets must be initiated by a motion duly seconded and passed at a regularly scheduled membership meeting. The proposal must then be presented at a special meeting called for that purpose. Notice of the meeting must be mailed to the full mailing list, excluding the media, at least 30 days before the date of the meeting. Following discussion, the vote will be taken using a mailed ballot. The ballots shall be sent to all members in good standing, and shall include the main pro and con arguments. Approval shall require no less than seventy percent (70%) affirmative vote of the ballots returned or postmarked within 20 calendar days.
Only non-theist, non-religious organizations clearly identified as such and having a purpose consistent with that of this organization shall be considered for merger or distribution of assets. Upon dissolution of the ACA, any assets remaining after payment of or provision for its debts and liabilities shall, consistent with the purposes of the organization, be paid over to charitable organizations exempt under the provisions of Section 501 (c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provisions of subsequently enacted federal law. No part of the net assets or net earnings of the ACA shall inure to the benefit of or be paid or distributed to an officer, director, member, employee, or donor of the ACA.
Changes to the Bylaws
(1) Amendments, additions, or deletions to these bylaws may be proposed at a regularly scheduled membership meeting, either by the board of directors or a member. Changes to the Bylaws should improve the operation of this organization. Under no circumstances shall they alter the purpose of this Corporation as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
(2) The proposed changes shall be included in the meeting notice for the next regularly scheduled membership meeting and noted as an agenda item. The proposed changes may be debated and revised before being voted upon.
(3) Changes to the Bylaws must be approved by at least a simple majority of the members present and voting.
(4) Changes to the Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon adoption, unless specified otherwise in the motion to adopt.
Addendum A
Policy on Board of Directors - Qualifications and Responsibilities
All directors shall serve one-year terms. The election shall be conducted as specified in Article 4(4). Directors may serve consecutive terms without limit.
Candidates for the Board of Directors are expected to demonstrate the following qualifications:
Commitment to the ACA's mission;
Participation in the ACA's activities, including contributions as a member or chair of a committee or work group;
Ability to work successfully in a consensus-oriented group environment;
Tact and diplomacy - grace under pressure;
Ability to commit time and resources to the ACA;
High level of integrity and ethical behavior;
Willingness to assist in fundraising and other activities to support the ACA.
Each member of the board is expected to attend at least 50% of Board meetings in person. Any Director not physically present at 50% of the Board meetings or who misses 3 consecutive Board meetings in a fiscal year shall be deemed to have resigned unless the Board excuses the absences by a majority vote.
In addition to attending meetings of the Board, each member of the Board of Directors is expected to:
Participate fully and openly in all Board deliberations while providing the best possible advice and guidance;
Serve as a chair and/or member of appropriate committees established to achieve the organizations' objectives;
Abide by all of the organization's policies and procedures;
Maintain the confidentiality, as appropriate, of all information gathered as a result of participation in meetings of the Board of Directors;
Actively assist the organization in raising funds;
Avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety.
At the beginning of his or her term, each member of the Board of Directors shall sign a statement that he or she has read and understands the ACA's bylaws and policies
Addendum B
Procedure to Remove Directors
A director may be removed if it is determined that the director is or has engaged in conduct that is materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the ACA. Action for removal from the board may be initiated by
(1) A majority vote of the board of directors or
(2) A petition signed by one-third of the membership or 30 members, whichever is less.
Immediately after action has been initiated against a director, the Board of Directors shall implement the following procedure:
A notice shall be sent by certified mail to the last address of the director as shown on the organization's records, setting forth the reasons for the removal and stating the date, time and place of a hearing. Such notice shall be sent at least forty-five (45) days before the effective date of the removal.
The director shall be suspended from duties effective upon the date of the notice. The suspension shall remain in effect until final action has been taken.
The director being removed shall be given an opportunity to be heard, either orally or in writing, at a hearing held by the board of directors at the next regularly scheduled membership meeting prior to the effective date of the proposed removal. The hearing shall be listed on the agenda in the meeting notice sent to the members.
Following the hearing, the membership shall vote on whether the director should be removed or sanctioned in some other way. The decision of the membership shall be final.
Addendum C
Media and Content Creation
All Media and Media Brands created by the Atheist Community of Austin, or in Atheist Community of Austin social media spaces is considered its property. Media and Media Brands are expected to adhere to the Purpose of the ACA, as outlined earlier in the bylaws.
The ACA is responsible for the creation and distribution of Produced Media and Media Brands. A majority of the individuals working to create any one Produced Media must be members. Produced Media includes, but is not limited to, The Atheist Experience television show, The Non-Prophets podcast, and Godless Bitches podcast. Media Brands include, but are not limited to, The Atheist Experience, The Non-Prophets, and Godless Bitches.
Produced Media can be unaired or removed from publication for any reason with a vote from the ACA Board of Directors.
Proposals for new Produced Media must be submitted in writing to the ACA Board of Directors, documenting their proposed equipment usage, schedule, medium and goals.
Media can be discontinued either by the will of content creators themselves, or by a majority vote of the attendants of the Board. In this instance, the Media Brand is still retained by the ACA.
The dissolution or transference to another party of Produced Media, Media Brands, or Social Media will follow the procedure and rules laid out in Article 14: Dissolution or Sale of Assets.
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Barb Boyette, assistant academic dean for academic support, is among 10 educators chosen to receive the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award.
Presented by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina and Cengage Learning, the award honors college faculty, administrators, staff and students for outstanding work on behalf of first-year students and for the impact their efforts have on their institutions.
"Barb is a dynamo of energy and efficiency and encourages new ideas and new approaches," wrote Steve Shapiro, professor of physics and director of academic advising, in nominating her for the award. "With these qualities, Barb has been able to ensure that all FY students receive excellent and consistent support."
The award recipients, chosen from 97 nominations, will be formally recognized Feb. 16 at the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience in San Diego, Calif.
Last Updated: February 1, 2014

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Submit News
Samsung Shipping DDR NAND & 3-Bit MLC Flash, Expects Use in SSDs
Jansen Ng
December 1, 2009 8:21 AM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Samsung's 3-bit MLC NAND flash chips
Samsung's DDR NAND Flash
Your choice of higher speed or lower cost
Samsung Electronics is the largest NAND flash memory manufacturer in the world, accounting for 38.5 percent of the global market in Q3 of 2009. All of that money helps when conducting research and development into new technologies which are critical for maintaining that lead.
The company is making two NAND flash major announcements that will significantly affect consumers. The first is that it has started mass production of 30nm-class 32Gb Multi-Level Cell NAND flash memory with an asynchronous DDR interface. Samsung uses the term 30nm-class to refer to its manufacturing processes, which could range from 32nm to 34nm.
Single-Level Cell NAND flash has traditionally been faster than MLC NAND, but Samsung's new DDR MLC NAND chip reads data at a very fast 133 Mbps. It is designed to replace the company's single data rate MLC NAND, which has an overall read performance of 40Mbps.
The process is yielding well enough that Samsung has already shipped its initial production run to major OEMs.
"With the new DDR MLC NAND, double data rate transmission can be achieved without increasing power consumption, giving designers a lot more latitude in introducing diverse CE devices." said Soo-In Cho, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Memory Division at Samsung Electronics.
Samsung's 30nm-class SDR NAND flash was rejected by many SSD manufacturers earlier this year, stating that it was
far too slow for use in SSDs
"Of course every transition to a new process has its problems," stated one source who requested anonymity. "We just weren't expecting it to be this slow".
Although Samsung
put the blame on NAND flash controllers
that SSD makers were using, many of those companies reported that they had overcome similar but less severe problems with Toshiba's 34nm NAND flash memory.
Nevertheless, Samsung is hopeful that its new DDR NAND flash will help satisfy the need for speed from SSD makers. The new flash gives added urgency to new SSDs that can
support 6Gbps SATA
The company expects the new asynchronous DDR MLC NAND to be used in SSDs for PCs,
USB 3.0 flash drives
high-speed SDXC memory cards
, personal media players, and car navigation systems.
"Samsung's accelerated push toward providing memory solutions at much higher speeds will enable faster introduction of high-performance mobile devices that deliver added convenience and greater value to consumers," Mr. Cho added.
In a second announcement, Samsung states that it has begun the industry's first volume production of 3-bit MLC NAND flash chips using 30nm-class process technology.
The first run of chips will be used in NAND flash modules accompanied by exclusive Samsung 3-bit NAND flash controllers to produce 8GB micro Secure Digital (microSD) cards.
"Introducing cost-efficient, 30nm-class 3-bit technology widens our NAND memory solution base to make NAND even more enticing for increasingly diverse market applications," stated Mr. Cho.
Although 3-bit MLC has usually been slower and been capable of fewer read-write cycles than traditional 2-bit MLC, the 50 percent increase in capacity will allow Samsung to offer new NAND flash products at much lower prices. This could help lower prices of flash based devices like SSDs, which have increased in price as NAND flash prices doubled over the last six months.
"Our 3-bit NAND memory will support the development of more cost-competitive, high-density consumer electronics storage solutions," Mr. Cho continued.
With new options for higher speed or lower cost, Samsung is adding choices for OEMs that will expand the overall flash market. Expect new SSDs and SDXC cards as these chips make their way into consumer products next year.
According to market research firm Gartner Dataquest, the global NAND flash memory market is forecast to be worth $13.8 billion this year, with sustained growth allowing it to reach $23.6 billion by 2012.
"So if you want to save the planet, feel free to drive your Hummer. Just avoid the drive thru line at McDonalds." -- Michael Asher
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Looking for scholarly articles in the area of political science? WPSA is one of several useful resources the library provides. This guide includes several brief instructional video tutorials to help get you started with WPSA.Worldwide Political Science Abstracts (ProQuest)
See tips for using WPSA's Advanced Search screen (default).
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This tutorial highlights some of WPSA's advanced features. Expand your research and stay more orgnaized using these tips and tricks.
If you are a frequent WPSA user or are completing an intensive research project, you will probably benefit by setting up a MyResearch account. This account allows you to save searches as well as citations.


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Saint Helena Women Hoodies are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Saint Helena Hoodie for a special occasion, give a Saint Helena Sweatshirt as a present or need to represent with a funny Saint Helena Women Hoody during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Saint Helena Hoodie for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Saint Helena Hooded Sweatshirt with the perfect design for your mother, father or children (or friends!); Idakoos offers all of its men's women's and children's Saint Helena Women Hoodies as Saint Helena Women Hoodies. Personalize any Saint Helena Hooded Sweater the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
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text: 11 Jul 2013 Four of the best: Cornish b & bs Previous slide Next slide 1 of 4 View All Skip Ad Bay House Housel Bay If views are everything to you, you will love the clifftop Bay House, which looks out towards (and is strolling-distance from) the Lizard Lighthouse, mainland Britain's most southerly point. Should you also require a lovely bedroom, it has three of those as well. Run by its Dutch owner, Carla Caslin, this 1920s home has been beautifully restored and decorated with antique furniture and bright, fresh textiles and linens. While all three rooms (arranged as doubles but easily changed to twins) are incredibly comfortable with show-stopping views, Atlantic is the largest, with two armchairs arranged in the heavenly bay window - the perfect spot for watching sunsets and storms. The B&B does cream tea on arrival and fruit salad, muesli, yogurt or a cooked breakfast every morning, served on the pretty terrace in good weather. We also like the small things you often don't get in B&Bs, such as Wi-Fi, iPod docs and DVD players. For walkers, the South West Coast Path is at the foot of the garden and the white sands of Housel Bay beach right below, a mere clamber away. The details Doubles from £120; open March to October (01326-290235; mostsoutherlypoint.co.uk ). Read Telegraph Travel's guide to Cornwall Back to image


text:
Date of Stay: November, 2013
This appears to be a parking lot that was converted to an RV park at some point. As noted, spaces are tight and do not expect any privacy. Hookups are easy to access and all worked well including fairly extensive cable TV lineup. The sites are not even close to level, so be prepared. We are in a motorhome so were able to dump air to give us a few inches clearance but big blocks were quite prevalent. The location is why people are here...free shuttle to casino and conveniently located near Roads End, Safeway, etc. We stayed here as the state park was full and were visiting family. Would stay here again to visit family but not as a destination per se.
Date of Stay: December, 2012
Had coupon for Snowbird rate. Park is just a few minutes from downtown Salem. Very easy approach, nice well-stocked office/store, and friendly service. Were given a supersite which has an extra parking pad. Immaculate grounds and full-timers keep their sites and the park clean as well. Tremendous cable channel selection, strong Wi-Fi and 4G Verizon signal. Great game room and laundry room. Only negatives: slight traffic noise from highway (minimal) and no seal on sewer connection. We would certainly stay here again without hesitation.
Date of Stay: August, 2012
We stayed here based upon recommendations from friends and were not disappointed. As others have mentioned, the pull-in sites that face the golf course are tremendous. The owner and her family are the nicest hosts we have ever experienced at a park. They were truly interested in helping us to enjoy all of Astoria and gave us GREAT recommendations for things to do and places to eat. I also LOVE that this is an adult park as we are weekend RVers and getting away to peace and quiet without noisy pools, excessive campfires, and dozens of kids on bikes is exactly what we look for. Powerful WI-FI, great cable selection, good water pressure, convenient hookups, peaceful views. Golf course payment is on the honor system and is very relaxed. The course dress code cracked me up: "Dress Code - wear something". Relaxed, welcoming, serene, and fun. We will be back soon for sure! Camped here for a long weekend.
Date of Stay: July, 2012
This park is NOT closed. They are still renting the sites that are owner occupied...you just have to call the phone line directly as the website is still down. Amenities are great, sites are large, and very friendly owners! Still Class A and C.
Date of Stay: July, 2012
The Medford area is quite limited with good RV parks. We reserved at Holiday due to the location and mostly positive reviews. Have a 39' motorhome and were given space on C loop facing creek. Positives: Absolutely beautiful view out front window facing stream, great choice of cable channels, minimal freeway noise, friendly hosts, good WiFi, great location for Rogue Valley. Negatives: Older park so space is tight, many full-timers but they were all on south end of park, while shorter stay visitors seemed to be on north end; weak Verizon signal. We will definitely be back.
Date of Stay: July, 2012
This park is less than a mile off 101, a couple miles south of Reedsport. Sites all have great views! We faced the marina and enjoyed waking up each morning to a gorgeous view. The pluses: Easily accessible sites, modern and well located hookups, quiet, no ATVs allowed to be running, good water pressure, amazing views, nice management, clean, well manicured, good cable selection. Negatives: only one...the Wi-Fi was spotty and lame. I would give this place a 10 with better Wi-Fi. if you are looking for gorgeous scenery, a quiet place, and relaxation, this is your place.
Date of Stay: May, 2012
Stayed here over the Memorial Day weekend. Park is a few miles south of Sisters so you need a car to explore the area. Adjacent to the Sisters Rodeo Grounds. Some cabins available as well as tent-only sites. THE GOOD: Strong power, great modern hookups, meticulous landscaping, friendly staff, nice setting particularly by lake (these sites were all taken unfortunately), clean, WI-FI strong most of the time, pretty setting. NOT SO GOOD: Sites are quite close together. Plan on getting cozy. Only 8 cable channels, all local. Fire pits at each site; yes, you would think this is a plus until you have 4 neighbors' fires all blowing into your RV, the closest from 4 feet away. Campers were just lighting fires for the novelty of it, and the place turned into a smoke pit...of course it was completely full on memorial day with everyone wanting a "fire". We will probably be back, but requesting a site away from as many campers as possible to avoid the smoke-out scenario again. Would be nice to have an area that does not have the fire pits for those of us just wanting some fresh air.
Date of Stay: April, 2012
This park is a hidden gem. Very quiet, private spots overlooking the jetty in Florence. Camped here in motorhome with brother's family in trailer. Had two sites together which was tremendous and very private. Pauline the camp host was hospitable and the grounds are very well kept. No sewer at site or cable, but wouldn't expect this in a county park. Sites are uneven but manageable, utilities conveniently located. Not really near anything so tow vehicle is pretty much mandatory. There is a dump station as you leave campground. Will be back for sure. They do charge $1.25 for showers.
Date of Stay: April, 2012
I am giving this a 7 primarily due to location. Adjacent to Old Town Florence with everything within walking distance. Sites and roads are gravel,some very uneven. River site hookups are at the rear of coach so no way to pull in and enjoy river from front windows, also a long sewer run. Tremendous selection of cable channels and easy access to the park. Wish the Port would spend some $$ on this place. Paving, relocated utilities and some privacy between sites could get them $10 a night more easily. I will definitely be back due to the tremendous location.
Date of Stay: April, 2012
This place is incredible! Oceanfront sites are feet away from the waves and pulling in you have a complete picture window of the ocean. Hosts were very nice, place is spotless and very cozy. Great hookups, nice level pads and incredibly relaxing environment. Cable TV channels are lame, but everything else is perfect. Very limited cell hone coverage here which we really appreciated. We will be back for sure. A bit spends but well worth it.
Date of Stay: February, 2012
The positives: Absolutely gorgeous park. Tremendous landscaping, quiet, beautiful golf course, roomy lots, great hookups, immaculate, good location. In other words, all the reasons we chose to stay here initially. The negatives: I only have two negatives to report here, but one is significant enough that we went from considering purchasing a place here to now not wanting to even rent here again. The Wi-Fi is very spotty and only available at the clubhouse, but the primary reason we will not return is the attitude of owners that were near us. We overhead them mentioning that all of us renters should be branded with a scarlet "R" and forced to wear a red t-shirt so they can spot us easier. Apart from a very nice couple from Montana, we were not welcomed by anyone despite the fact that we are very outgoing people, had a newer coach, and are very polite. Hardly what you would categorize as "annoying renters." We are a gay couple from Oregon and have found RV'ers to be welcoming across the country: not here. We would leave today, but unfortunately there are no refunds allowed for early departure.
Date of Stay: January, 2012
Great location right near aviation museum and water park. Right off Hwy 18 so easy access. Some monthly visitors but all in clean and newer models. AMENITIES: Great Wi-Fi, 60 cable channels and good ones at that, not the usual mix of local, public access and crappy that you find at other parks. Clean private restrooms, nice laundry room with new machines. SITES: Large pull-through and back ins. Side plot for cars and each has picnic table. Plenty of room for slides, vehicle and outside seating. Easy hook-up as all services easily accessible. AREA: Friendly hosts at check-in, clean park, and walkway right to museum. Not much privacy between sites, but sites are large enough that this is not an issue. We will be back for sure!
Date of Stay: December, 2011
Handy gate to Woodburn Outlet Mall, close to restaurants, right off freeway. Sites are nothing special, and most of the park is full time residents, it appears; only a few of us overnighters. Bathrooms old and limited, but clean overall. Would stay here again if needing to do shopping, but otherwise overpriced given facilities and pads. Good WI-FI.
Date of Stay: December, 2011
Camped here on a cold December evening. Very nice host, spotless restrooms and showers. Hard to find a park in the winter that is not full of dumpy full-time rigs to help pay for off-season lulls. This park had only clean and fairly new RV's on site. Only a minute or two to Oregon Garden so will definitely be back here in the Summer. Nice fireplace with reading materials in the lodge. Good, strong, powerful Wi-Fi as well.
Date of Stay: November, 2011
AMAZING park! Clean, gorgeous setting, close to casino and truck stop, connections top notch as are hosts. Great pool. Facilities are individual: clean but the rooms were cold. Nice path down to truck stop and free shuttle to casino. Fun watching all of the coaches headed south for the winter. We will be back for sure!


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text:
A week of daily gains has taken the sharemarket to its highest level in nearly six years.
A positive lead from Wall Street and a continuation of positive reaction to local earnings reports helped the S&P/ASX200 index gain 0.5 per cent on Friday, taking it to its highest level since June 2008, RBS Morgans analyst Luke McElwaine said.
"The market has continued to go on with it," Mr McElwaine said.
"On the whole, reporting season has been pretty good."
He said currency weakness was contributing to interest in Australia's major resources stocks, which also helped to drive the market's gains.
BHP Billiton added 47 cents to $39.17, Rio Tinto gained 64 cents to $70.23 and Fortescue Metals was 15 cents higher to $6.02.
Among the companies to release profit results on Friday, Insurance Australia Group gained three cents to $5.55 after lifting its half year profit by almost 40 per cent.
But other companies to report suffered falls.
James Packer's casino operator Crown shed 55 cents to $16.68 after reporting a fall in earnings from its Australian operations.
Santos shares lost 68 cents, or 4.8 per cent, to 13.59, after the gas and oil company reported a full year profit of $516 million, little changed from the previous year.
National Australia Bank investors showed they were less than impressed with the bank's quarterly update, sending shares down 62 cents to $34.54.
NAB's quarterly cash profit was up seven per cent to $1.55 billion, but it warned of further costs in its troubled UK operations.
Its rivals fared better, with Commonwealth Bank up 58 cents to $75.18, ANZ up 22 cents to $31.82 and Westpac 21 cents higher to $33.31.
* The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 26.4 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 5,438.7.
* The broader All Ordinaries index added 28.1 points, or 0.52 per cent, to 5,449.4.
* The March share price index futures contract was 27 points higher at 5,408, with 24,426 contracts traded.
* The price of gold in Sydney was $US1,317.06 per fine ounce, up $US3.06 on Thursday's closing price of $US1,314.00.
* National turnover was 1.9 billion securities worth $5.5 billion.


text:
The Land of the Changing Sun HTML version
Chapter 10
To Thorndyke the dark corridor seemed endless. The king's last words had now a sinister
meaning, and Bernardino's whispered warning filled him with dread. "Keep your
presence of mind," she urged; was it then, some frightful mental ordeal he was about to
pass through?
Presently they came to a door. Thorn- dyke heard his guide feeling for the bolt and key-
hole. The rattling of the keys sounded like a ghostly threat in the empty corridors. The air
was as damp as a fog, and the stones were cold and slimy. After a moment the guard
succeeded in unlocking the door and roughly pushed the Englishman forward. The door
closed with a little puff, and Thorndyke felt about him for the guide; but he was alone.
For a moment there was no sound. With the closing of the door it seemed to him that he
was cut off from every living creature. In the awful silence he could hear his own heart
beating like a drum.
"Stand where you are!" came in a hissing whisper from the darkness near by, and then the
invisible whisperer moved away, making a weird sound as he slid his hand along a wall,
till it died away in the distance.
A cold thrill ran over him. He was a brave man and feared no living man or beast, but the
superstitious fears of his childhood now came upon him with redoubled force. For several
minutes he did not stir; presently he put out his hand to the door and his blood ran cold.
There was no knob, latch, or key-hole, and he could feel the soft padding into which the
door closed to keep out sound. Then he remembered the warning of the princess, and
strove with all his might to fight down his apprehensions. "For your life keep your
presence of mind," he repeated over and over, but try as he would his terror over-powered
him. He laughed out loud, but in the dreadful silence and darkness his laugh sounded
A cold perspiration broke out on him. It seemed as if hours passed before he again heard
the sliding noise on the wall. Some one was coming to him. The sound grew louder and
nearer, till a firm hand was laid on his arm; it felt as cold as ice through his clothing.
"Come," a voice whispered, and the Englishman was led forward. Presently another door
opened--a door that closed after them without any sound. Here the silence was more
intensified, the darkness thicker as if compressed like air.
Hands were placed on the shoulders of Thorndyke and he was gently forced into a chair.
As soon as he was seated two metal clamps grasped like a vise his arms between the
elbows and the shoulders, and two more fastened round his ankles.
There was a faint puff of air from the door and the prisoner felt that he was alone. Terror
held him in bondage. He tried to think of Bernardino, but in vain. Did they intend to drive
him to madness? He began to suspect that the king had discovered his natural superstition


text:
***** SnoFari 2013 - The Sofficial Thread*****
View Single Post
October 27th, 2012, 05:03 PM
<3's Ridin' Dirty
Join Date: 10-15-07
Location: Oakland County
Posts: 2,867
iTrader: (
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
A few things, from my phone, while I am visiting my grandmother in Virginia.
1. The Quality Inn is not clairvoyant, you must tell them that you need a room from the SnoFari room block.
2. Not only are there rooms available in our room block, MOST of the rooms are still available.
3. Booking a poolside room will not result in the pool being open later. I've asked them no less than 30 times to give me a way to keep the pool open, the answer is that we have to book the entire hotel. That will never happen, not because we don't have the number of people and sheer motivation to make it happen, but because there are people that book rooms outside of the SnoFari block before you folks have a chance to. For what it is worth, I will contact the event coordinator at the QI when I return from my vacation and find out if there are any balcony or poolside rooms that have been booked by a NON SnoFari participant and if there are none, I will let you know. If you guys want to try to book all of those rooms, I will make another case for keeping it open later. But here is the thing, many people book those rooms because they have kids and use the pool, those kids don't need to hear a bunch of retards carrying on in an echo chamber while they are trying sleep.
4. SnoFari is $55 per person, I will be shocked if this question hasn't been answered in this thread. The registration form will be posted when it it posted and not a second sooner. The registration form is the only part of SnoFari that I don't get to plan---as a grade a control freak, I want it posted just the same that you do!
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you wont see any carbon in the water you have to take it somewhere they can anyalize it. it will be a trace amount if it's even there. Feb 2002 custom classic trucks has "12 cooling tricks" there site is wwwcustomclassictrucks.com roughly -any frankly, they aren't much good: 1:aluminum radiator cause of wider fins than copper 2:higher fin count, towards 14 not 8 per inch 3:gentle bends, as sharp angles/edges even 45 degrees can slow up water 4: make sure you got lots of juice to the elec. fan-don't underdrive alternator 5:formed hoses vs. ribbed ones 6: seal the rad. to the fan 7:bulletproof hoses 8: lame9:compare airflow to amp draw, they recommended a SPAL axial motor fan at 2360 cfm. 10:gay 11 use right pressure cap(probably @ 7 lbs), 12: dont get cheap flex fan w.flimsy blade as they flatten out over time, get stainless steel blade one with hnicely set rivets with adequate spacing btwn rivet holes and between the edges of the central hub-no comment on plastic fans for long term use but said they were fine at drags. well hope you solve your problem.
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Cadillac Escalade, EXT and ESV Forum - 1999 - 2006 Discussion, Service Stability System Light in Cadillac Escalade Forums; My Service stability system light has been coming on about 5-10 mins after it warms up. On really cold days ...
- 04-13-11 04:46 PM #1Cadillac Owners Member
- Automobile(s): 2002 escalade aspen white
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Age
- 30
- Posts
- 11
Service Stability System Light
My Service stability system light has been coming on about 5-10 mins after it warms up. On really cold days it just comes on. Would it help to change the oil's in the front diff and the transmission? What do you guys think would help. What are my options. Taking it to the dealer is my last option. thanks
- 04-14-11 12:25 AM #2Cadillac Owners Enthusiast
- Automobile(s): 2006 Escalade, 2002 Deville DTS
- Join Date
- Mar 2005
- Location
- Bay Area, Ca.
- Age
- 41
- Posts
- 974
Re: Service Stability System Light
You can PM rippy and he could probably give you a quote for replacement parts, which would be cheaper than getting them from the dealership. I have something similar, except mine is the Service Ride Control (06 Escalade). Do some searches on the forum using "service stability system" and see what you come up with first.


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- 1333 MHz FSB
- 45nm Yorkfield 95W
- 12MB L2 Cache
Great CPU 06/16/2009
This review is from: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield Quad-Core 2.83 GHz LGA 775 95W BX80569Q9550 Desktop Processor
I got this CPU with high expectations...this CPU met every single one.
Other Thoughts:
The price of this CPU dropped $50 two days after I bought it. Thanks to Newegg's AWESOME customer service I have a credit for the difference.
Once you know, you Newegg...for sure!!
1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes / No Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided!


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Nestled in the Northern Black Hills just outside of Lead, South Dakota is Terry Peak Lodge. This area of the hills offer the best in winter activities including skiing (downhill and cross country), snowboarding, snowmobiling, tubing and snowshoeing. The lodge is located across from the Terry Peak Ski Area and minutes from Deer/Mystic Ski area. We are located on snowmobile Trail 5T. Summer activities abound with hiking and biking trails, ride to ATV trails from the lodge, several golf courses, all of the many Black Hills attractions, fishing and boating, horseback riding, motorcycle cruising, rock climbing and the list goes on.
The lodge consists of seventeen one and two bedroom mini condos. Each condo has a fully equipped kitchenette and sleep 4 to 8 comfortably. After a fun filled day in the hills, relax and enjoy our many amenities including the indoor heated pool, hot tubs, sauna, BBQ grills on the spacious sundeck equipped with picnic tables and patio furniture, free WI-FI, guest computer, fireplace in the lobby, cable tv in all of the condos, small convenience store, Game room with pool, ping pong, arcade games and card table and complimentary coffee in the lobby every morning! Everything our guests need for their stay at our quiet, secluded location with spectacular scenery in the hills.
Check Availability for Terry Peak Lodge
Daily and weekly rates available. Call 605-584-2723 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com for current rates. Sorry we do not allow pets.
Group rates for Weddings, Family Reunions, Youth Groups and more. Military discount.
21117 Stewart Slope Rd, Lead SD
Managed by: Jason Walth
Group rates for Weddings, Family Reunions, Youth Groups and more. Military discount.
21117 Stewart Slope Rd, Lead SD
Managed by: Jason Walth


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Jaipur Lit Fest is South Asia's biggest literature festival: Amrita Tripathi
CNN-IBN's Amrita Tripathi joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on Jaipur Literature Festival.
CNN-IBN's Amrita Tripathi joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on Jaipur Literature Festival.
Q. Is it right that salman rushdie was absent because of threats? Asked by: karthik
A. Hi Karthik, That was last year - and the protests and threats of violence definitely led to his cancellation. He was in India - and with no trouble - shortly after, and is safely here in the country as we speak.
Q. Dear Amrita, Every yer the festival gets into some controversy or the other. Does that improve the publicity of the festival? Also who is there this time to watch out for? Asked by: Narayan
A. Hi Narayan, The last couple of years, it's true -- On the one hand, it's an easy way for the protesting groups to get publicity, some would say. This festival has become so high-profile, it's really on the world map. It is South Asia's biggest literature festival - this sort of controversy takes away from that, and doesn't improve their publicity, no... But I did hear from one of our reporters that people who hadn't heard of it, did, because of last year's tamasha.
Q. Where in Jaipur is the festival? Asked by: lata
A. Hi Lata, It's hosted at this place called Diggi Palace, quite centrally located. Every year they have to figure out new ways to host the crowds, that are only growing! (Incl clearing out the stables!)
Q. Why is Jaipur Literary Festival limited only to one place only and why such type of events not taken to other cities also as that will raise interest of books and and new authors also Asked by: Arvind
A. Hi Arvind, As you can gather from the name, the location of Jaipur is key... But there are such events in other cities, in fact Bangalore, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram literature festivals have also kicked off in a big way. Not just India, the Galle Festival in Sri Lanka and the Mountain Echoes Festival in Bhutan have also sprung up after the massive success of JLF.
Q. People say that arts, music, culture, literature, etc. are apolitical and beyond boundaries. However, Indian artists, movies, etc. are banned (unofficially) in Pakistan. Most of the Indian films are banned there. We see Pakistani artists coming to India (may be getting money and fame here which brings them) but not too many from India in Pakistan. Then we know that right from schools, textbooks preach hatred against India. Further, Pakistan is involved in state-sponsored terrorism against India (indirectly). So, should we invite Pakistanis to India when they don't reciprocate? If your answer is yes, why should we desperately do that? Asked by: Gaurav
A. Thanks for your question, Gaurav. It's a very topical issue, of course that you're raising. I definitely feel that artists and writers and musicians do more to enhance ties and highlight the humanity of various peoples. I think you will find many Pakistanis (as indeed is true of the rest of the neighbourhood) do watch Indian movies and such, and read Indian writers...Just as we're discovering their writers (mainly in English, but hopefully that changes soon) Having said that, of course there can't be a massive disconnect - there are elements in Pakistan that are heavily invested in destabilising India, as we clearly know. For the govt, then, the challenge is to determine whether to completely cut off all ties -- which is not really practical -- or have a nuanced approach. Unfortunately it seems very one step fwd, five steps back. I guarantee you, though, if you see more - not less - "people-to-people" contact, it will improve relations. And finally (this is such a vast topic to discuss!) Don't forget Pakistan isn't inured to the violence perpetuated, far from it... It's struggling to cope. At the end of the day, a peaceful Pakistan is in India's best interests too.
Q. Why only those books are discussed at the festival which have media prominence like those by Ruchir Sharma, Gurcharan Das as that will make the interest of the festival dull and predictable as books of fresh authors are rarely discussed at the festival Asked by: Shailesh
A. Hi Shailesh, Let me start by saying this festival is an incredible way to hear of writers we haven't necessarily been exposed to. There's no doubt there are many "discoveries" in that sense, for participants. You have to keep in mind, though, that for the media, there are many challenges when it comes to reporting something like this (even more in TV news)... how do you choose your peg? Who are you talking to about what? Who will you focus on? What are you reporting on, essentially? You choose your subjects accordingly. I will say that the main take-away is not for the media, so much as readers who throng the venue in the thousands, each year, soaking it all in.
Q. How much successful is this festival in comparison to other literary festivals of the world like in London and paris and will it be able to have global authors from around the world other than authors from south asia. Asked by: Hitesh
A. Hi Hitesh, It seems quite successful but am not privy to details on finances/ money... It always hosts writers and musicians from around the world.
Q. Thanks for your reply Amrita. Up to last year, I also thought the way you think about Indo-Pak people-people connect. But are we not getting too desperate in allowing Pakistani people and culture in India? I mean people-people contact may be the way, but are we not getting too desperate in that? Asked by: Gaurav
A. I don't think we're desperate, no. I don't think that clamouring for people to be sent back and so on helps. But I do understand where you're coming from.
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The whole x inches of penetration is due to the possibility that the bullet may have to pass through other parts of the body before it hits something vital, say through an arm and then on its way to the chest cavity.
Stopping power is for the most part a myth. It's pretty rare for one bullet to just stop somebody or especially knock them down.
Shot placement is always key. I'd rather be hit with a 45 in my toe than a 22LR to the eye.


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You are herecontent / Victory for Single Payers: Charges Dropped Doctors Paris and Flowers
Victory for Single Payers: Charges Dropped Doctors Paris and Flowers
Video: Victory for Single Payers: Charges Dropped Against Doctors Paris and Flowers On April 14, 2010, in Eastside District Court, in Baltimore, MD., criminal charges against Single Payer champions, Dr. Carol A. Paris and Margaret Flowers, were dropped by the prosecutor. Attorney Kevin Zeese explained what happened inside the court room. Then, Doctors Paris and Flowers shared their feelings about the outcome of the case. Background: On Jan. 29, 2010, Doctors Paris and Flowers were arrested outside a hotel, at the inner harbor, where President Barack Obama was slated to give a speech. They were on a sidewalk holding a banner. The doctors had a letter that they wanted to give to the President and/or one of his aides, re: "Medicare for All". They were arrested for trespassing and for refusing to obey a police order. Check it out here. For information on Single Payer, go to these websites: PNHP, Prosperity Agenda US and Health Care NOW.
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Obama you are a disgrace. When your own base has to get arrested to stop your class, corporate, imperial whoring....you are at fault.
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This halogen bulb single puck light is perfect for lighting small areas.More Details >
Add this silver finish single halogen puck light to small areas such as closets or kitchen cabinets. The design is compact and can be surface or recessed mounted. It's dimmable, and includes cord and all mounting hardware.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
We put this in some glass cabinets that we have and they look amazing. The light is clean and crisp and shows off my lovely dishes.


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The Indianapolis 500 - aka The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I may or may not have mentioned it to you guys before, but another obsession I am afflicted with in addition to my addiction to nail art is cars. Fast cars. I'm not into racing in general; I don't really care about NASCAR, but I LOVE Indy cars and, to a certain point F1. Anyway, tomorrow is the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and while I will not be there this year, I will be watching and sporting checkered flag nails. Instead of waving two checkered flags, I'll be waving two checkered hands. The technique is really easy to do and if I'm lucky, I'll get some time soon to do a quick tutorial video for you on it. The only products I used were Wet n Wild polish in white and an Art Deco Striping polish in black. Plus Seche Clear and Vite for base and top coats. The props used in these photos are a seat cushion and a keychain I bought at the 500 two years ago. I am already making plans to be there next year, and am so sad I won't be there in person this time to experience the awesome sounds and smells. Fortunately I have a friend in Indy, the guy with my husband and I went with last time, and he will be there tomorrow, undoubtedly sharing the untelevised portion of the awesomeness via Facebook. Score!
Checkered Flag Nails - Indianapolis 500 Inspired
beautopia · May 28, 2011 · 0 Comments ·By
Tagged with: nail art, Checkerboard, white, black, nails, nail polish
I love nail designs like this which looks complicated but are actually easy to create. Pretty~
Love it! And I can totally see you waving your hands like flags, hahaha!


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Deputies cleared in deadly shooting of Army veteran
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office has determined no criminal liability for the deputies involved in the officer-involved shooting with Jed Zillmer.
The shooting happened near the Spokane Valley Mall on February 11.
Jed Zillmer, a US Army combat veteran had recently been denied a $50,000 insurance claim for having part of his foot shot off in Afghanistan.
Suffering from PSTD and suicidal, Zillmer led police and sheriff's deputies on an hour-long pursuit that crossed the state line twice, his conversations with dispatchers designed to make officers gear up for a deadly force confrontation.
The chase ended at the intersection of Sullivan and Indiana, where Zillmer got out of his vehicle and pointed a handgun at himself. Investigators say when he adjusted his bulletproof vest, deputies opened fire.
Prosecutors have concluded that based on Zillmer's actions, the threats he made to shoot at civilians, and his proximity to nearby stores the deputies use of force was justified.
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- WSU issues reminder to leave young wildlife alone


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A scientific project funded by the BBVA Foundation and conducted by a team from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) explored around 100 kilometers of practically uncharted Atlantic beach in the north of Colombia and south of Panama between the years 2006 and 2007. In the course of their work, they came across extensive nesting grounds that bring new hope for the survival of the leatherback turtle. This species suffered a grave decline in the twentieth century and is among those considered by the World Conservation Union to be in critical danger of extinction.
The project has permitted the documenting of around 6,000 new annual nests in the zone. The most important site is Armila beach in southern Panama, which is being managed by the indigenous Kuna community with stringent protection measures in place for the turtles. Armila is home to one of the highest known densities of leatherback nests, with a similarly high birth success rate. It is also an exceptional model of ancestral co-existence with a positive conservation impact for a seriously imperiled species.
The results of this study confirm the Central American Caribbean as the world's fourth largest nesting zone for the leatherback turtle after the Guayanas, Gabon and the island of Trinidad. However the success of Armila was not repeated at remaining beaches along the exploration route, where the team detected severe disturbances that impair turtle nesting – including grave cases of nest raiding – and could jeopardize the future of this leatherback population.
The BBVA Foundation project, funded under its Call for Research Proposals in Conservation Biology, has been written up in the scientific journal Biological Conservation with the title: "Globally significant nesting of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Panama", citing as authors Juan Patiño, Adolfo Marco and Liliana Quiñones, researchers at Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), and Brendan Godley from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
An exceptional creature
The leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) is the world's largest turtle, with some individuals reaching two meters in length and weights of around 800 kilos. They can live up to 100 years, nest in topical zones and make the longest ocean crossings of any marine vertebrate, returning 11,000 kilometers to lay their eggs on the beach where they were born. They are also resistant to very low temperatures, meaning they can be found in all the world's oceans. In fact, some have even been sighted near the polar regions.
The leatherback turtle chooses hot tropical beaches to make its nest. It does not breed every year, but when it does so stands out for the large quantity of its nests—normally around seven (with cases of up to 11) per season, excavated at intervals of 15 days. Each nest has between 65 and 110 eggs and can weigh between 5 and 10 kilograms.
Before covering the nest, the leatherback places smaller fake eggs on top of its own clutch, so they are protected during the development phase. It digs the deepest nesting pit of any sea turtle, up to one meter deep. This means the hatchlings born after two months' incubation must make a Herculean effort to scale the near vertical walls to the sandy surface. They then have to make their way into the ocean waters, where they disperse and swim for over ten years until reaching maturity. They then return to the beach of their birth to begin their own breeding cycle.
Exploration and discoveries
The exploration supported by the BBVA Foundation took place between the towns of Anachukuna, in the Kunayala area of southeast Panama, and Mulatos in Colombia, during the breeding seasons of the last three years.
Prior to the study, the zone was reckoned to harbor between 100 and 250 nesting females, though many beaches were virtually unexplored. But this latest census lifts their annual number to between 1,140 and 1,300, making it a major Atlantic Ocean breeding ground and refuge for the leatherback turtle.
Of the seven nesting beaches investigated, Armila (4.5 km length) is the most abundant in annual nests, which number from 3,600 to 4,040 units or 60% to 67% of the area-wide total. Armila's nesting density, with an average of 900 nests per kilometer of beach, is also exceptional—the highest in the Central American Caribbean ahead of Playa Chiriquí, also in Panama, whose 128 nests per kilometer were until now considered the local maximum. Armila also stands out for the high survival rate of nests and the hatch rate of clutches, which borders on 70 %.
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By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
Rusty Steil enjoys the sweet side of Christmas.
His family gathers at his Denver home where there's a little tree and gifts for his wife, step-daughters and three grandchildren. Jesus just has nothing to do with it. Steil, 47, is an atheist. He never goes to church or tells the Nativity story to the little ones.
But Christmas parties? Sure, Steil says. "Most atheists I know celebrate in some way. They will get together for solstice or holiday parties."
Come-all-ye-partiers trumps OCome, All Ye Faithful for more than one in three people asked about their Christmas activities in a survey by LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based Christian research organization.
"A lot of Americans celebrate Christmas like they participate in yoga: unaware and unconcerned about its religious roots," says Ed Stetzer, LifeWay president and a Southern Baptist pastor.
FAITH & REASON: Do your cards star a savior or Santa?
There are no statistics to prove whether LifeWay's snapshot of Christmas 2010 is part of a trend or a moment unique for its secular spin. But experts say it reveals several forces inflating a Santa balloon over the season:
•Blame the little kids. Although 37% say Christmas is more religious when children are present, 43% says it's less so.
"That's not surprising when more people encourage belief in Santa Claus (38%) than tell the Gospel story (28%) that undergirds the whole of Christianity," Stetzer says.
So few people hear the Nativity story of the birth of a savior unless they see Peanuts character Linus recite Luke 2:8-14 in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
"Sure, people will say Jesus is the reason for the season, but Thor is the reason the fifth day of the week is named Thursday. That doesn't mean I celebrate Thor. The fact is, people don't open the Gospel and read why Jesus came," Stetzer says.
•Blame the grown kids. Many Millennials, ages 18 to 29, have switched the lights off on the Nativity scene.
More than half (56%) say their Christmas is "primarily" religious; three in four (74%) told LifeWay many of the things they enjoy this season "have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus."
"Christmas for them is just something you do because you're an American these days," says Drew Dyck, 33, who works in church ministry for Christianity Today International. He tracked Millennials in his new book, Generation Ex-Christian.
If they come home Christmas week to more religious parents, Dyck says, "church is the first thing to go. Everyone thinks, 'Oh, why have that fight?' "
Esther Fleece, 28, of Colorado Springs, who works as the link to Millennials for the evangelical Focus on the Family, has many friends less tied to faith.
"Black Friday has become a national holiday, and Christmas is like Valentine's Day with more presents," she says. Rather than hammer retailers for saying, "Happy holidays," Fleece was part of a group of Millennials who persuaded Focus to drop its "Naughty & Nice" list of stores that failed the "Merry Christmas" test. This year, the organization celebrates retailers who give back to their communities.
Millennials don't like people who demonize those who disagree on faith, Fleece says. She says she deals with their un-Christmas Christmas by gently reminding them, "I'm all for love and peace, but how do you have those without the love of Christ? If you are drawn to giving, think about what Christ gave to us."
•Blame the secularism sweeping the culture. "Christmas is no longer about baby Jesus and the sheep. It's solstice with friends, Saturnalia at the office party. At Thanksgiving, you say grace, but at Christmas, you take a break and you go on vacation. It's been downgraded on the religion calendar," says Barry Kosmin, director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
Neither are those who call themselves Christian so clear on the theological dimension of their faith. In 2008, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 52% of American Christians say at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life.
The LifeWay Research survey found 62% of people who follow non-Christian religions still celebrate Christmas, along with 89% of people who say they're agnostic or have no religious identity and 55% of atheists.
Many retailers now skip "Happy holidays" and promote sales on Santa-suit-red slick paper.
This makes the usually genial Jesuit priest James Martin, the "official chaplain of the Colbert Report," cranky. He huffs in The Huffington Post about green and red ads that treat Jesus like "He Who Must Not Be Named," the villain in the Harry Potter books. Martin writes, "Christ may be the new Voldemort."
Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.


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July 3, 2002 at 12:44 PM
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Christina Wodtke has posted a response to my question about IA in the form of a bad diagram (her words, not mine) which is actually quite helpful. I have been able to identify myself as somewhere in the middle of this diagram but covering all of the right side. Thus the justification for the emergence of the Hybrid Designer.


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HOT Lane Litigation Condemned By Legislators
Two top Republican and Democrat VA state senators wrote "a letter begging Arlington County to drop a lawsuit claiming that construction of high-occupancy lanes on Interstate 95/395 in the county would violate the civil rights of county residents."
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.
From WP: Arlington goes its own way in lawsuit over HOV lanes:
A "chief concern (the lawsuit) cites is the potential effect of air pollution on the health of low-income and minority residents clustered near the highways in areas such as Shirlington. More vehicles on offramps would mean more vehicles in residential neighborhoods, officials argue."
"Arlington County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac said the suit was not intended to "create some kind of wedge issue on race or income," but rather to force state officials to reevaluate the effect of air pollution on nearby schools, day-care centers and low-income housing."
Thanks to Streetsblog


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The Aug. 15 news article "Energy program staff was told not to use personal e-mail" reported that Jonathan Silver, formerly of the Energy Department, warned his colleagues not to use personal e-mail addresses in work correspondence, because those e-mails could be subpoenaed. For organizations like mine, a government accountability group, the question remains — for the media and members of the public who seek transparency from their government — are government employees' e-mails, when sent at work from personal accounts, subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
If federal employees' work-related e-mails can be "records" for purposes of the Federal Records Act, then it follows that those communications can be agency records subject to FOIA. But Congress has not yet made this issue clear. Unless Congress legislatively clarifies whether FOIA applies to private e-mail accounts and personal communications devices, a federal court will be compelled to determine the matter. Until then, we can expect politics as usual.
Dan Epstein, Washington
The writer is executive director of Cause of Action.