ACA Cadre

[Lisachromis]

OK, I am really curious about this. I was going through the by-laws today and realized that though it says there is input by the Cadre on the by-laws, there is NO mention of them in the by-laws at all. There's nothing on what they are, how you get to be one, what is their function for the ACA, or any other information.

Can anyone help by explaining their role please? I'm very curious! :lol:

[tjudy]

The cadre consists of the committee chairs and the BOT. Most of the operational communication of the ACA is chairs and the BOT, so it is important that the cadre have an easy way to communicate.

[Lisachromis]

I guess I find it strange to not even read anything about the cadre in the by-laws. I mean how can you have a group with no specific way to tell how you 'create' it, or get in it? It also doesn't really tell me what the cadre does. Do they do something or are they just called the cadre cause they are BOT or committee chairs?

[tjudy]

The cadre is not an official group defined by the bylaws. It is called the 'cadre' because that is easier than saying 'the BOT and committee chairs'. The cadre as a whole does not decide anything. Occasionally a member of the cadre will weigh in on a discussion, but usually only when the topic concerns that person's role as a committee chair.

[borgec]

It's really just a name that's historically been used to classify all the ACA chairmen. If you are a chairmen you are party of the cadre.

[Claudia]

Hi Lisa,

It is a good question as you are correct that the cadre is not mentioned in the by-laws.

Ted and Chris have described the cadre well as a term that evolved to easily describe the Committee Chairs as a unit.

One significant role of members of the cadre is the ability to offer their input when operational matters arise that the organization experienced ten, twenty, or more years ago. This is particularly important in a case such as ours with a Board whose members are ever-changing.

I hope that our combined answers have been a help!

All my Best,
Claudia

[Lisachromis]

Yup, things make more sense. Just seemed odd that the cadre helped with the by-laws but there's no mention of them in them.

[Claudia]

Thank you, Lisa.

I have added a note to discuss placing mention of 'cadre' in the next bylaws revision.

Take Care,
Claudia