Website For The Gensic Family Meeting Of 2009

To view The Gensic Family Meeting website for 2009, click here.

The Five Toes

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Stacie.

I propose that since the girls are now essential parts of the Gensic “body,” that we too are able to stake claim on our own set of phalanges. As everyone knows from countless trades and bartering discrepancies, the metacarpals are reserved for the members of the family possessing that darn Y chromosome. The lovely females are now officially submitting a request to reserve the metatarsals. Not only do we provide steadfast balance to our male companions’ lives (like toes do for us), but we also like to be called “tootsies.”

So, it just makes sense.

The titles can either be broken down by “Big Fat Toe,” “Long Freaky Toe,” “Middle Toe,” “Almost Smallest Toe,” and “Itsy Bitsy Toe With Non-Existent Toenail” or we can go with that all too familiar delightful children’s song and choose from “The Piggy That Went To The Market,” The Piggy That Went Home,” “The Piggy That Ate Roast Beef,” “The Piggy That Ate None,” and “The Piggy That Cried ‘Wee Wee Wee’ All The Way Home.”

I think this latter option is a little more fun, though you girls are going to have to be okay with the fact that you will be called a “piggy.”  This way too, no one is “big and fat” or “long and freaky.” As for Ben’s lady, either Evelyn or Mrs. G. can fill in for awhile, just to keep the toe warm.

Diaper Duty

Type: Vote Required.

Submitted by Evelyn.

I propose a straight-up ballot vote to determine who’s duty it will be to change my diapers.

When would you have Diaper Duty?

Any time my diaper needs changed and you’re within reasonable distance (on the same property as me) of changing my diaper. This will be effective immediately upon the confirmation of an accurate vote and will run (pun intended) through 12:00 a.m. of January 1, 2009.

Comb Overs

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Jake (09.30.08, 3:38 p.m.), Matt (11.10.08, 11:58 p.m.), then Matt again (12.10.08, 10:49 p.m.), then Jake again (12.10.08, 11:17 p.m.), then Dad (12.11.08, 10:27 p.m.).

Some believe that it would not be a true Gensic Family Meeting without the discussion of certain agenda topics. Therefore, we propose the question: “comb overs – are they back in style?”

Family Fisherman Of The Year

Type: Absurdity and Vote Required.

Submitted by Ben.

In our family, there are many fishermen. Many have laid claim to be the ”Best Fisherman in the Family.” Rather than tackling the larger title of “Best Fisherman in the Family” (which implies a length of time spanning our entire collective lives), I propose that a “Family Fisherman of the Year” vote be taken at The Gensic Family Meeting.

Starting now, self-nominations are allowed, there are no requirements for nominations to be “seconded,” and nominees cannot be removed from consideration prior to The Gensic Family Meeting. Each nominee must come prepared to argue their claim for the title in whatever way they feel appropriate, and will only have 45 seconds to present their arguments. The order of presentations will be determined by the order in which individuals were nominated. Following each nominee’s presentation, there will be no further discussion about what was presented. At the end of all nominees’ presentations, the vote will take place. Awards or prizes may or may not be provided by me.

Goodwill Mannequin Raffle

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Sam.

I propose a raffle.

Each participant’s name is placed in a hat. Whoever’s name you draw is your mannequin. And you are the mannequin of whoever draws your name. On a designated evening, everybody goes together to the Goodwill to pick out the outfits of their respective mannequins. Then we change clothes, go out to eat at a lower to moderate establishment, maybe see a movie, and top the evening off with a family picture.

A Family Gift

Type: Discussion Required.

Submitted by Everyone.

The idea of coming together and providing for others’ needs is something everyone in the Gensic family is hoping and expecting to do this holiday season. Therefore, everybody proposes discussion that leads into the materialization of tangible steps which provides for the needs of another individual or family.

The Gensic Craigslist

Type: Discussion Required.

Submitted by Mel.

I propose discussion about creating and actively participating in a Craigslist for the Gensic family. That way, we can all save money by sharing things we already own instead of going out and buying new stuff. For example, Paul and I just got new mobile phones, so if anyone’s breaks or gets lost before their free upgrade, they can have one of ours instead of buying a new one.

The 2009 Family Chairman

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Matt.

Its that time of year again in which we vote to decide who’s in charge. This year, it propose be a 3 step process for the election of The 2009 Family Chairman:

1) Nominations. If you are nominated in the response/comment thread of this agenda topic (blog post), you are in the running. 2) Try Outs. At the meeting, nominees will express why they do or do not want to hold this position. 3) Vote. After we narrow it down to 2-3 people we will decide The 2009 Family Chairman via a ballot vote, one per person. Rigged ballots will be investigated and any guilty parties’ voting priviledges will be suspended for one year.

Ye be warned! Arrrggg! Let the nomination process begin!

Baby Name Reservation

Type: Discussion Required.

Submitted by Mel.

Since the baby having has already started, I propose discussion about the reservation of favorite baby names. If you have a boy or girl name that you’ve had on your heart/mind for a substantial amount of time and it’s one you’d seriously consider naming your child, bring these to share at the the Gensic Family Meeting. Hopefully, this discussion will help prevent future family feuds.

The Five Fingers

Type: Absurdity and Discussion Required.

Submitted by Jake.

Last year after the “touch tips, boys” ceremony portion of The Gensic Family Meeting, some of us decided to swap fingers, while a few of us kept their original finger. As of now, there is some uncertainty as to who has what finger. It wouldn’t be a true meeting without spending time on this, so I propose discussion about the status of The Five Fingers and an opportunity to swap fingers again, if that sort of thing tickles your fancy, so to speak.

Voting Privilege Probationary Punishment

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Ben.

I propose that anyone who has not submitted and commented on at least one agenda topic (before 12:01 a.m. on the day of The Gensic Family Meeting) be punished. Punishment should take the form of a one year probationary status. While on probation, the family member will lose their voting privileges. For example, if you don’t contribute to the online discussions before the Christmas of 2008 via this blog, then you will be on probation and unable to vote at The Gensic Family Meeting during the Christmas of 2009. Of course, this proposal requires a vote.

Christmas In Hawaii

Type: Discussion Required.

Submitted by Matt.

This topic has already been floating around the family like marshmallows on chocolate, but from my understanding, items to be discussed at The Gensic Family Meeting aren’t official until they are on this blog. So, I am proposing discussion about the possibility of having Christmas in Hawaii so this topic doesn’t get lost. Amen.

Wedding Playlist Request Line

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Matt.

Because we are open to song requests throughout this next year as we plan our wedding, Stacie and I would like to take this time to open up a special wedding playlist request line (via this blog) to those who mean the most to us: our family.

Here’s how it works. You suggest the song. It goes on the list. If I, or anyone else doesn’t like it, the song will be contested during this year’s meeting. Any song that is contested will be subject to a “pubic hearing,” followed by a vote. The public hearing will consist of a 30 second (iTunes-like) sample of the song, after which we will vote “yay” or “nay.” Depending on the outcome of the vote, the song will stay or it will go. Failure on our behalf to not play any song (that made the cut) at the reception will result in some sort of fine or punishment, which will, of course, be discussed as an agenda topic in The Gensic Family Meeting during the Christmas of 2009.

Thats right, things are being set into motion for 2 years from now.

Also, I reserve the right for Stacie to veto any song for any reason, no complaints. It is her wedding.

The Dex Giveaway

Type: Absurdity, Discussion, and Vote Required.

Submitted by Sam.

I propose that, whoever the owners of the two original blue Dex t-shirts are (as of 12:01 a.m. on the day of The Gensic Family Meeting), be required to give them away (during the meeting itself) via some type of raffle, lottery, or vote. What type of raffle, lottery, or vote? Well, that’s precisely why this agenda topic has been proposed…

Autopilot Voice: “Wait a minute Sam, we’ll need to vote to see if there will even be a giveaway before we decide what type of giveaway it is. Don’t get hasty.”

So, let me clarify. I’m proposing two votes that decide 1) if a required (or enforced) giveaway should take place and 2) (pending a majority vote) what type of giveaway it is.

Wireless Phone Service Provider Merge

Type: Discussion and Vote Required.

Submitted by Sam.

I propose that in 2009 we all enroll in one “family plan” from the same wireless phone service provider.

Here are a few key questions to open forum on this one:

1) What would the positives and negatives of this be?

2) Who would be the provider (AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, etc.)?

3) Who would be the primary on the account?

Michigan Trip

Type: Discussion Required.

Submitted by Jake.

I propose a 3-4 day salmon fishing / turkey hunting weekend up in Michigan sometime in September or October of 2009. I’ll take care of planning the major logistics. Anyone interested?

Matthew and Stacie’s Wedding

Type: Absurdity Required.

Submitted by Ben.

The following topic was submitted for the entertainment value of discussion (versus a controversial topic which requires a vote).

With the option of the “Gensic Homestead” for the wedding ceremony location there is potential for unusual childhood (or adult) memories (about Rapp Road experiences) to sneak into your mind at an inappropriate time during the ceremony. I’m curious as to what memories would cause a sudden outburst of laughter. 

For example, during the wedding vows I’ll try not to think “Hey…aren’t Matt and Stacie getting married in the exact location that Dad ran over my head with the tractor?”

Or during the cake cutting (possibly held near the barn?) I’ll try not to think to myself “Hey, isn’t this the tree that Matt use to squat and take a dump under until he turned 10 yrs old?”

Also, this topic is intended to lead into discussions of anything wedding-related…

Agenda Topic Submission Process

Matt, you asked for it. Here it is.

Let me say, after somewhat of a disappointing performance by Ben last year, I am honored to be the new chairman of The Gensic Family Meeting. I promise that I won’t let you down.

To start off, I am implementing a new system for submitting agenda topics for the meeting (and ideas for our Christmas gathering). Don’t worry Mom and Dad, this system is quite simple [even Evelyn could figure it out (after all, she does have an email address)].

It goes like this. To submit an agenda topic (or idea for the gathering), simply email me at samuelgensic@gmail.com with the official name of your agenda topic (or idea) in the subject line, followed by as little or as much as you want to say about the topic in the email itself. If your submission is an agenda topic, it will be organized into one or more of the following three categories: absurdity required, discussion required, and/or vote required.

Shortly after reading your email, I will create a blog post on this website, which will accurately reflect what you’ve submitted. Then, all will be able to read, consider, and provide feedback by posting comments. Providing feedback via comments will be strongly encouraged (you do not need an account with WordPress to post comments). In theory, this site will become an aggregate of information relevant to the purposes and functions of the forthcoming meeting. Also, any content posted here will be directly applicable to our intended uses, both present and future.

In other words, we will use this site as a pre-cursor “meeting” place to get the ball rolling and to wet your appetites (insert close-up of Paul‘s dancing eyebrows and flicking tongue here).

Please keep in mind that, by frequenting this site as a collective whole, the posts, comments, and discussion threads may serve as excellent resources during this year’s actual meeting (especially if Jake is trying to be fair-weather-fan-ish about a particular issue, mid-discourse). So, if you’re using a Mac (like Jess or Stacie), “bookmark” this site using Safari. If you’re using a PC (like Abbie or Mel), add it to your “favorites” with Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Speaking of, let’s fire away. Christmas will be here in less than 3 months.

I’m looking forward to your submissions…