The grounds for this expulsion are spelled-out clearly in the "ASMP Petition for Expulsion" message sent to all General Members.
That message is viewable here.
Also see ASMP Executive Director Eugene Mopsik's "Enough is Enough" message here.
2) How can I help?
Easy as 1-2-3.
1. Download a petition form, located at the bottom of the petition message.
2. Sign the petition and fill-in your membership & contact info.
3. Follow the instructions on the petition and return it promptly. Ask other general members to sign their petitions too. Spread the word. Let your colleagues know how you stand on this matter.
3) What is the expulsion process?
1. First, a minimum of 25 eligible members petition the ASMP president for expulsion of a specific member.
2. The ASMP president then immediately appoints a review committe, composed of at least three general members from the expelee's home chapter, to review the allegations against the expellee.
3. The national office immediately notifies the expellee by sending him/her a copy of the petition via certified mail.
4. The expellee has the right to appear on his/her own behalf before the review committee.
5. The review committee has 45 days to make a written report back to the national board.
6. Upon receiving the review committee’s report, the ASMP president sends a copy to the expellee via certified mail.
7. Within 45 days after receipt, the expellee may submit a written defense.
8. At its next regular meeting, the national board considers the expulsion petition, the review committee’s report, and the expellee’s own defense. The expellee has the right to appear in front of the national board, at the expellee’s own expense.
9. The national board then takes a secret vote and can expel the member if a 2/3 super-majority votes for expulsion.
4) What are the grounds for expulsion?
As stated in the Constitution – “A member may be expelled, censured, or be subject to other disciplinary action for failure to honor his or her obligations under this Constitution or for actions tending to bring disrepute to the Society or to the profession of photography”
The language is deliberately vague as a prudent measure to assure that the members and the board have the ability to seek this remedy at all times as they see fit. See FAQ #1, above, for specific details regarding the grounds to expel Highton.
5) Can an expelled member rejoin?
Yes. But only if his reapplication is accepted. As stated in the Constitution – “An expelled member may after one year reapply for membership under the same procedures as those for a new applicant.”
So, if a member is expelled in October, 2009, that member could choose to re-apply for membership in October, 2010 at the earliest.
Note that such a re-application would be subject to the same rules and procedures as a totally new membership. This means that objections can be raised and that the re-application can be rejected. It’s not a permanent expulsion, but it’s the next-best-thing, a renewable expulsion.
6) Can an expelled member sue ASMP?
Sure. Anyone can sue anyone anytime over anything.
Now, would an expelled member have a chance at either getting a court to hear such a case or to get a favorable judgment is an entirely different matter. Also, consider that the expelled member would have to spend his/her own money in order to pursue such an action. An expulsion is our constitutional right as members and we have followed the rules precisely.
7) Isn't this squelching debate?
No. Quite the opposite.
Honest and respectful debate is a vital and desirable aspect of any successful organization’s decision and leadership process. That’s how good ideas get better and that's how bad ideas are transformed into helpful lessons. But when the debate is neither honest or respectful, it serves only to destroy the organization it disingenuously claims to help. Deliberately misrepresenting and/or withholding factual matters is not honest debate. Deliberately misrepresenting and/or impugning the actions and integrity of others, without a shred of evidence to support such claims is not respectful.
So Highton’s abuse of his debate privileges and responsibilities has actually hurt everyone’s ability to debate. Next time a member takes issue with ASMP policy or actions, everyone will groan that “it’s another Scott.” The debate will be prejudiced even before it starts. That’s Highton’s legacy.
8) Won't Highton stop this wasteful campaign now that the ASMP elections are over?
That's what we have all been hoping for and expecting for five years now.
Five Years!
Highton's 2009 post-election message makes it clear he will continue his damaging rhetoric and destructive actions until we, the members, stop him via expulsion.
It's time to stop hoping for this to resolve itself and time to make it happen ourselves.
Highton's post-election message is viewable here.
Please help us stop this senseless and destructive waste of our ASMP's resources.
Enough is enough!
9) Is the National Board behind this?
Absolutely not. Quite the opposite. It is probably fair to say that the ASMP national board and staff dread this expulsion effort like the Black Plague. Why? Because they will have to deal with the controversy certain to arise from this effort. And, the national board must remain neutral on this matter as they will be responsible for making the final vote and decision.
This effort is the sole creation of 5 very concerned general members of ASMP. We firmly believe that most other members agree with us. We researched the entire matter, collected our own information, spoke to many, many members, wrote everything ourselves, and stand behind our words and actions.
