Three Years is a Long Time

The AFM's biannual convention is the delegates' only voice. Designing and voting on resolutions is the delegates' only power to effect change in our Union. The resolution on triennial conventions will dilute this power, and we must oppose it.

Consider our current administration. Do the current set of officers deserve a longer term? It is easy to see why they might want it—it secures their position for another year. But why should we trade in our only voice, to let Tom Lee and Sam Folio make unilateral decisions for a three year term?

Likewise, no future officer deserves a three-year term. Voting for a new face is always a risk—that he or she will not turn out the way you thought—and the risk is magnified by adding another year to the term.

The truth is that nobody, no matter how magnificent, should be allowed to water down the voice of the delegates. This person becomes "The Decider" for three years. Asking the delegates to relinquish our power, would be like George Bush asking the U.S. Congress to stop making laws.

The savings in money to the AFM is the only argument advanced in favor of this dangerous proposal. This savings amounts to a measly $100,000, for an organization that spends $4,000,000 running its offices, that pulls in $4,500,000 in work dues, and $4,000,000 in per capita. Is this meager savings, which could likely be made up in simple economies around the AFM's offices, worth giving up our most democratic forum?

I urge everyone to vote against triennial conventions. To delay the delegates' voice for a year is to undermine the delegates' power.