We, the undersigned BBFAA members, respectfully call for the Executive Committee to reconsider and reverse the election policy in allowing NEW memberships to participate in an election which brought a huge influx of over 200 new membership who are mostly out of town membership, and the impact this surge may have on the outcome of the 2025 election. This unprecedented spike needs to be addressed and prevent this issue of swaying votes from happening. 

Concerned members believe this action undermines the integrity of our organization’s electoral process and may compromise our ability to select leaders based on true service, commitment, and merit. 

Our community has always valued transparency, fairness, and genuine participation. Any attempt, intentional or not to manipulate the outcome of an election through mass recruitment memberships prior to election damages the trust built by long-term members over the 44 years in existence.

BBFAA members believe that this decision, especially without understanding and presentation to membership of the BBFAA Election Policy that creates confusion, invites misuse, and threatens the fairness and integrity of our election process.

As members, we have a fiduciary duty under Florida Statutes to act when irregularities or anomalies place the association’s credibility at risk.

We therefore request the following: 

1. Reevaluate the decision permitting new memberships especially those who are out of town to vote in an election and keep the integrity of true members (long term) in the Big Bend area.

2. Clarify and properly include all membership information regarding voting privileges to only allow members with 1 year to be able to vote. This ensures that only individuals with meaningful ties to BBFAA,  not last minute recruits, to participate in elections. It strengthens legitimacy, reduces the risk of vote manipulation,  and is standard practice in many nonprofit organizations. 

3. Create a verification procedure for out of town members to ensure that future elections reflect transparency, fairness, and the true representation of active BBFAA members. This prevents the perception of "ghost memberships " and maintain membership integrity. 

If you agree and stand for strengthening the foundation of BBFAA so that every election reflects genuine participation, and policies resistant to abuse, please sign below. 

Signed, BBFAA Members Supporting Fair Elections and Integrity of True Membership