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Let me begin by saying that I applaud the basic desire to get more folks involved in the activities of the club, primarily through volunteering; I also support the goal of providing feedback, constructive suggestions, and ideas to the BOD. However, I have a few qualms about the manner in which Steve sees this panel operating (if I understand his idea correctly).
If I read this correctly, he suggests s formal panel which would act as an advisory group to the BOD. He calls upon individuals (it reads to me like he is looking for those who heretofore have not been active or volunteered to make up this panel).
I would love to see more folks volunteer, the more people willing to help out, the better it is for all of us. There are lots of opportunities all year long for folks to help out. Personally I find volunteering at the convention to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the convention for me. I do not however think we need to create new venues for folks to volunteer, when the need for volunteers is already high.
I have found the BOD to be very open to input and ideas. I had regular contact with the last board, primarily through The membership officer, Secretary, and the President. I actually became friends with Belinda while volunteering at the membership table. I have worked that table for the past three conventions (even making my last shift after getting out of the hospital-although I did get chastised for missing the shift while in the hospital 
), that is where I got to know Ralph. Over time, I emailed Mike Skelton on occasion, and found him open and willing to discuss the issues that were important to me.
I know the current BOD even better, considering Sunday, Doug, and Jay are friends, and Belinda I have already mentioned. I am confident they would be open to input by emails (addresses available on the club website) or by posting on the club bulletin board. I only began to get to know the new pres at the convention, but I can say that the first time I made a suggestion to him, he acted to incorporate it immediately. He also took the time during a very busy week tomake sure I was OK. I feel the other club officials are all equally open to input.
I am not saying a panel is a bad idea per se, but I feel there are effective paths available. I would agree that a discussion panel could be effective when discussing some of the larger issues within the club and the hobby, to advise the BOD on options and ideas. Discussion frequently leads to good ideas that were not even the original purpose of the discussion. Some of these issues could include when it will be necessary (if ever) to formalize or change the election procedures, oty guidelines, what the dues should be, convention issues, etc.
These types of discussions already occur on an informal basis here on the board and in various gatherings, and exchanges of emails. Some of the issues are (and will always be) ongoing topics that will need to be addressed again and again as times and circumstances change (for example as technology expands the possiblity of forged or altered chips increases, what should or can the club do regarding that issue). I can see having a set panel who could debate and discuss these issues and others in a reasonable and rational manner. But I would like to see the members of that panel be drawn from the more experienced and already involved members of the club.
I do not see this as a repudiation of Steve's goal, but some input as he moves forward.
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