[TheEngineer Rich Muny - PPA Board VP]

WASHINGTON, DC (July 1, 2009) –The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide today announced the transition of four existing members of the Board of Directors and the establishment of a nominating committee to identify potential replacements.

“The Poker Players Alliance is grateful for the longstanding service provided by these board members,” said former Senator Al D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance. “Each one has provided first class leadership during an unprecedented period of growth, both in membership numbers and in promoting the popularity of the game we love. We can’t thank them enough for their service and look forward to continuing our relationships with them in other ways as we prepare for the battles ahead.”

Four of the current members will transition from the board to honorary memberships, including Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, Mary Magazine, Greg Dinkin, and Jan Fisher. The nominating committee will consist of current board members and PPA state directors who will identify and vet potential candidates to lead the PPA into the next phase of the campaign to promote and protect poker. These candidates will be approved by a vote of the PPA's dues-paying membership.

[JPFisher55]

TE, I have a question. The PPA now has seven members of its Board of Directors. They seem impressive to me. So why does the PPA need eleven directors? Why not just change its Articles of Incorporation to have seven directors and keep the current seven? You can't do better than yourself, Greg Raymer, Howard Lederer, Chris Fergueson, and Linda Johnson; not to forget a former Senator and the President who has done an excellent job.

[TheEngineer Rich Muny - PPA Board VP]

I echo John's comments in thanking the transitioning board members for their service.

This is an exciting time for PPA and for the poker rights movement. We'll be bringing new blood and energy to the board at a time when the battle for our rights is intensifying.

The United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York sent us a message with their seizure of poker players' funds: the opposition to us is real.

I'm glad we're all fighting back, and I'm proud of the effort you all have made over the past two years to be heard in Congress, state houses, and courtrooms across the nation. Be assured that we are being heard -- loudly and clearly.

[TheEngineer Rich Muny - PPA Board VP]

 

Originally Posted by JPFisher55

TE, I have a question. The PPA now has seven members of its Board of Directors. They seem impressive to me. So why does the PPA need eleven directors? Why not just change its Articles of Incorporation to have seven directors and keep the current seven? You can't do better than yourself, Greg Raymer, Howard Lederer, Chris Fergueson, and Linda Johnson; not to forget a former Senator and the President who has done an excellent job.

We actually could choose to go with just the current board. Either the nominating committee could choose not to nominate anyone, or the nominees could fail to be affirmed in the member vote. These outcomes are unlikely, but are permissible, as PPA bylaws do not mandate exactly eleven members. IMO we have a nice chance to bring in some energized new blood. I think we can find a few folks who will add even more to the board. I'm also looking forward to having them enter with affirmation of the paid membership.