Here's an unusual e-mail we received from the Tilden Democratic Club :
Dear Tilden members:
I am writing you because you may have received a letter from Marcia Robinson about her campaign for the position of Corresponding Secretary, on Tilden stationery and envelopes. In fairness to the other candidate, Esther Yang, I am obliged to dispel the mistaken impression Marcia's letter has created among some members that Marcia is endorsed by any entity purporting to represent the club. I must emphasize that neither the Nominating Committee nor the Executive Committee has endorsed a candidate for the position of Corresponding Secretary.
Marcia's unauthorized use of Tilden letterhead is unfortunate but it does not serve the club to pretend it never happened or doesn't matter. Her letter violates two Tilden by-laws:
Article X, Section 2 of the by-laws forbids the use of mailing facilities, including stationery and envelopes, unless authorized by the executive committee or the president.
Article IX, Section 1 of the by-laws states that "no member..shall give permission for the use of, or, shall use, the name of the club or his/her position in the Club in any way which may indicate or give the impression of official sanction by the Club or the support of the Club of any statement, action or candidate without prior approval of the membership or the executive committee...Violation of the provisions of this Article shall be deemed conduct contrary to the best interests of the Club."
I called a special meeting of the Executive Committee which met yesterday, on January 12, to raise the issue of Marcia's letter. The minutes of that meeting will be conveyed to the members at the Annual Meeting next Monday. Neither Marcia nor her supporters deny that her use of Tilden stationery was unauthorized, but her supporters believe this was a mistake and there are extenuating circumstances. As Tilden members, you may consider these and make up your own minds about it.
This morning, as I wrote this letter, I realized that up to the time of yesterday's meeting, neither Marcia nor her supporters had breathed a word about her unauthorized use of letterhead to me or the committee. If I had not called the meeting, I doubt they would have brought it to our attention. I leave you to ponder the implications of that silence.
An apology from Marcia during or before the meeting could have gone a long way.
I look forward to seeing you all on January 19.
Laura Lopez
President