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Hours shy of an election deadline, Livermore Fusion Soccer Club announced last week it was delaying a vote on proposed bylaw amendments to November after discovering not all members received a ballot.
At least a few club members raised concerns during the six-day voting period about both the proposed bylaw changes — which, if approved, would strip families and club staff of their membership voting power — and the election process, claiming ballots had not been sent to everyone and the club had not been transparent in communicating about the proposed changes.
Under the current bylaws, families and staff as club members can vote for the club’s executive board of directors, director recalls and future bylaw amendments. If the proposed amendment passes with the required two-thirds majority, the voting power for elections and future bylaw amendments would rest solely with a newly created board of five to 10 members.
The proposed bylaws are intended to improve accountability, continuity and long-term planning, according to the ballot.
“Our current bylaws have served the club for many years, but portions have become outdated, difficult to interpret and do not fully reflect how the club operates today,” club officials wrote on the online election system. “The proposed bylaws provide a clearer and more consistent framework.”
“Ultimately, these updates are about building a stronger foundation for Fusion SC,” officials said. “Our commitment remains to providing quality programs and opportunities to each player, their family and the broader Livermore community.”
In addition to losing their vote, families and club staff would no longer be able to submit agenda items for board consideration if they are stripped of their membership.
Susan Munkner, a former executive board member and current parent member, told the Pleasanton Weekly that she was among those who did not receive a ballot before the original Oct. 7 voting deadline.
Munkner added that club bylaws require a 14-day election period. “It’s not even a vote at this point,” she lamented.
According to the current bylaws, a proposed amendment “must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of returned ballots, within 14 days, by the membership”.
Parent member Ashley Yalkut echoed Munkner’s concerns. She also pointed out that the bylaws dictate that the current rules “should be provided to all members and be made publicly available to review on the club website”.
The rules were not available on the website on the morning of Oct. 7. Sorensen said the current bylaws are available by request.
Both Munkner and Yalkut criticized Fusion for what they said was inadequate communication about the election.
The club responded by postponing the vote on the afternoon of Oct. 7.
“We have learned that not all of our members received a ballot via email from our external, automated system for the currently proposed amendment changes,” the board of directors said via email. “Thank you for your patience as we correct this issue, and our apologies for any inconvenience.”
Before the about-face, Board President Tony Sorensen told the Weekly on Oct. 5 that all members had received ballots. He also acknowledged “a couple of email concerns” from families and said the club was handling those concerns directly.
But at about 2:50 p.m. Oct. 7, ahead of the 9 p.m. voting deadline, the club sent out its notice of postponement.
“We have begun working to ensure that our member list is correct, and they have the opportunity to receive a ballot and then cast their vote,” the email stated.
The club did not announce an election date in November but said it will align with the club’s general election. It is unclear how many days will be allotted for the next voting period.
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