This was written by Garry Musgrave and reprinted with permission.....He has contributed to other threads on this site.
I had intended to expand with my own experiences working with Terry Vidal over my 24 years as an LCS voluntee but my experiences and feelings are similar. Terry is exactly what LCS needs at this point in time... I resigned in June.
go to ChangeLCS.com and spread the word
"However, I am extremely concerned about what has been happening at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) for the last year or so. The AGM in March was the last straw. Since then, a group of concerned volunteers has been working to improve some key problems we see, by attending board meetings and raising questions. Unfortunately, the minor gains we've made in increasing transparency with the members were like pulling teeth. We were treated rudely, and many of our larger concerns were dismissed with misdirection and misinformation.
I am pleased to see that Terry Vidal is running for LCS President at the upcoming special election this month.
I have been involved with LCS for 18 years, and was an active volunteer for 14 of those. I have known and worked with Terry Vidal since he started as the first Executive Director, until he left to pursue his business interests almost 12 years later. I have also experienced and worked with those who followed him.
In my opinion, he is very knowledgeable – not just about LCS, but about administration and fund raising in general. He has a deep commitment to the LCS membership and the community, he is honest and ethical, and he has a very practical approach to problem solving.
On his website (ChangeLCS.com), he has not only identified the key problems LCS has right now, but has presented a concise action plan to address each of them. It's one thing to complain, it's quite another to offer solutions!
If someone doesn't turn things around, I, and others, feel that LCS will fall off the precipice. I am confident that his presidency can help restore the dwindling membership numbers, and bring back donors who have abandoned LCS.
Because of my lengthy experience with LCS and Terry Vidal, I fully support his bid for LCS President, and believe that he will be one of the best we've had."