#trumpsanass

Trump's an ass

One wonders what the US expected from a man who has made his bones being a racist. he introduced his candidacy as a racist and as a bigot. Then, of course, he has serially made racist remarks. Now he has called countries in Africa as shit holes.

Barely 53% of eligible voters showed up to vote in 2016. 23% of eligible voters voted for Herr Trump. He secured 3m fewer votes than did Sect'y Clinton. Such was the lack of interest in that election.

PM Trudeau has been asked for his observations about Trump's latest foolishness. He was diplomatic. At first he suggested that it was a little like living beside an unruly neighbour. 

Yes, that is what it is like. 

It is said that citizens get the government they deserve. 

In a recent article, the Guardian asked who would speak for liberal democracies.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/10/west-cold-war-capitalism-eastern-bloc-populism

Who indeed!

Putnam's book Bowling Alone provides many of the answers.

bowlingalone.com

Its not rocket science ..........

                                        ..........unless  you really don't care.

• Vote. Its a democracy, stupid. To make it work, you need to go out and exercise your franchise. Use it or lose it. 
• Don't like the politicians? Run for office yourself. That's right, pay your $30 and file papers. Put yourself out there with opinions and positions. Get your family, friends and neighbours to rally around you. 
• Like a politician? Volunteer for her campaign. Stuff envelopes, make telephone calls, help design her 'net presence. What ever.
• Buy you local newspaper. Have an opinion? Write a letter to the editor.
• Listen to your local radio and TV station. Volunteer to do a show on your local cable station. Donate to PBS.
• Volunteer for your local Lions Club, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Optimists. 
• Volunteer with the local sports association or with your local school board. 
• Get involved with your local Board of Trade. Encourage your daughters to get involved and start small business enterprises. 

To that I would add, encourage women to run for office. Don't believe that this would do any good??? Well, as I have written before, women are more likely to turn a troubled enterprise around than men are. 

And, believe me. 

The USA now qualifies as a troubled enterprise.



NBPSPP and board evaluation

In the 2016 annual report, the Plan's board noted that it does take part in board self assessment. No details are provided, however.
There are a few reasons that a board should take part in governance performance evaluation and these are well described by: 

• CAPSA
• CCGG
• IOG
• CICA
• and through legislation...NP 58-201

But, of course, there is the logical matter of self protection, especially in the face of stakeholder activism. It would be somewhat embarrassing to a Board Chair if (s)he was asked to demonstrate that board performance was actually reviewed. 

Systematic and honest evaluation actually improves the functioning of :

• the board's leadership
• board committee leadership
• board members. 
• new board members
• management

But they only make $250/meeting. (the Chairman makes a bit more than that). The poor pay aside (one gets what one pays for), these are people whose decisions affect the size of your pension (and mine, too). Their inattention could result in poor strategic decisions, poor oversight of management (under whose watch we have received a paltry 6.75% during a bull market), unethical decisions. All of which will cause instability in our lives. So, performance evaluation helps assure us that the Board is effective.

A decent evaluation process will highlight board strengths and weaknesses and guide the nominating committee in the recruitment of new board members. 

what is meant by effectiveness?

1. Manage and supervise the management of business and affairs of the Plan.
2. That the board skill sets are suitable to the task of governance
3. That the board members have the character necessary to ethically conduct the business of the Plan
4. That the Board is the right size and has the right balance of skills to conduct the business of the Plan.
5. Is capable of evaluating management
6. Follows the Code of Conduct which defines good governance practice
7. There are more independent directors than executive directors
8. They are compensated fairly, as is management.

Tomorrow, I will cover the basics in reports and legislation.