Posted Wednesday, September 27, 2023 11:30 AM from 24.214.145.249

Please read the following:

This is an open com. to our President, Mr. Jim Davis.

   Jim, Lets put down the sticks, stones, and hurt feelings for a moment, and look very hard at what we are creating here. This site was designed as an open forum, and is the only true Baker site we have. If feelings have been hurt, lets try to put it in the past. There is no single argument, that is worth throwing our Baker community away. I know we are all adults, but sometimes we act like kids. I'm going to refrain from He said, she said, and I hope everyone else will as well. If we continue on this path, we will all be losers, and perhaps become the laughing stock of all high school web sites in Columbus. You are the leader we have, and you are the one who must direct a positive approach to ending this feud. I'm a nobody, and I'm comfortable with that. You, as Lion in Cheif must restore order, and maybe swallow a little pride. (no pun intended) So, having said that, I'm asking you to do the following:

1. Move the Oct. 7th meeting back to the Lions Den. 2. Open the proceedings to all Baker Grads, wheather members or not. 3. Act as an open and fair moderator, or designate someone to act as such. 4. Relax the ultra formal requirements, We don't need to sign up to attend a mtng. Post a realistic agenda for this meeting, and allow for open discussions, Act as though you respect your presidency, and are deserving of the position you are occupying. 

I can't speak for everyone, but I think this will be a good start, and might allow us to regain respect for each other.

I called Roy and he seemed relieved we were moving the venue from his place of business to a neutral site. This meeting may be contentious and I don’t believe it’s a good idea to have it at The Lion’s Den because of size restraints and again, it’s too close to home.

The Baker High School Alumni Association is a Non-Profit Corporation registered with the GA Sec. of State’s office. As a corporation, it is my view that it’s Board of Director’s meetings should be attended by Directors only, as are virtually all corporate board meetings. I understand members were allowed in BHSAA BoD meetings in the past when such meetings were quite casual. They are not in my administration. Some may agree and some may not, but that is my policy. In the three and one half years I’ve been president, only one person who wasn’t a Director asked to attend a BoD meeting and I explained not only would it probably be boring, but it wasn’t customary. The subject was dropped.

The structure of the Members Meeting is similar to that of a shareholders meeting; the Board will be on a low stage and members will address the officers and board from a podium in front of the stage. This allows the meeting to be run as orderly as possible, each member having 5 minutes to express their concerns and have them addressed by the officers. If members are allowed to address the officers from their seats, chaos could easily ensue. The reason we asked members to register is to have a count of how many choose to attend. An RSVP if you will.

I respect myself, my office and the other officers and directors of the BHSAA.

Those members who choose to speak may address any concerns they may have. There is no agenda, as again, each member who speaks may address any concerns they may have, as long as they are respectful.

There seems to be some confusion as to my pictures/video policy and how it applies to David Phillips. The policy is attached.

As anyone can see, the policy only restricts publication of photos or videos of BHSAA sponsored  events on public locations like YouTube and/or with the photographer’s logo or identification on them. David Phillips could have shared his photos or videos to friends or anyone on social media without his logo or name on them. Hundreds of Friday Night Social and All-Class Reunion 2023  photos have been shared on this website and many Facebook group and individual pages and possibly other social media sites. It isn’t all that restrictive.

I called David twice and left voicemails asking him to call me so we could reach common ground. Re did not respond. I was polite and asked him to please contact me so we could hopefully compromise on the policy. He did not respond to the request to find compromise except to refuse to talk with me and ask Cathy Bowden and David Spaw the following:

“Since I no longer need to communicate with Jim Davis I am passing this information on to you.  I want anything and everything that has any reference to my name or information, photos and videos Completely Removed from any BAKER HIGH SCHOOL pages, websites and anything that has any connections to Baker High school.  He wants to insure that I can't attend the reunion so nothing that I have did for Baker High school matters.  Please have this completed by the end of September or I'm filing changes (sic) against the Baker High School Alumni. This is not a threat it's a formal request prior to legal action.

This text is being filled (sic) with my attorney for future reference.”

It was never my intention, stated or otherwise to bar David Phillips from the 2023 All-Class Reunion. He would just have to abide by the attached policy and/or contact me to see if we could compromise. He refused. Why he felt he “…no longer need to talk to Jim Davis.” I have no idea.

Again, there are those who may disagree with my policies but what have I accomplished? After the federal government’s Covid-19 overreaction I initiated the resumption of BHSAA Quarterly Gatherings, initially at the Firehouse, then to Cook’s Place with free meals to members. As Event Chair, I put together what I hope to be annual Christmas Parties free to BHSAA members. With the assistance of Vice President David Spaw, Secretary Cathy Bowden, and Decorations Chair Diane Hudson, I put together what I believe was the best all-class reunion we have ever had. Other Directors and members helped also, but not as actively.  

We currently have the following vacancies on the BHSAA Board of Directors: Treasurer, Finance Chair, and Event Chair. Should any member wish to fill these vacancies, please contact me as soon as possible so I can review the responsibilities of each vacancy with you and insure applicants have the time, desire, and willingness to assume the responsibilities each vacancy requires. I do not and did not wish to assume the duties of Treasurer Pro Tempore. No other Director, member, nor alumni has come forward and expressed any desire to fill this vacancy after repeated emails sent to all alumni.

My goal is to offer quality events at appropriate venues where members may interact socially in a safe and fun atmosphere.  We will continue to provide two $2,000 scholarships to alumni and their relatives and provide charitable donations to area charities.  These activities create value to members and enhance and strengthen the Baker High School Alumni Association brand.

Jim

Photo/Video Policy

Jim,

When was there a BHS reunion, sponsored by the Alumni Association held in Cartersville, GA?

Jim,

When was there a BHS reunion, sponsored by the Alumni Association held in Cartersville, GA?

That comment from a different conversation many moons ago became my signature. How or why I have no idea. It took me awhile to figure out why it showed up and from where it was coming.

I have since removed it from my signature.

Jim

It will be interesting to see why you thought it was necessary to threaten David with arrest. I don't think it's going to be easy to explain. Many of us have the original text's between you two, and You come off as a butt hurt figurehead, that didn't get the recognition he thought was deserved. In the face of so many people who are displeased with your actions, why would you choose to persue any further damaging discourse, with the members? Why not just step down? Mein Herr.

see post on alumni group @FB