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.

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.

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?”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.