Nah... the key is that those whose opinions lose the votes still respect the process. :thmbup:
I (respectfully) disagree with your assertion that is the "key". The challenge we have is that some of the legacy volunteers feel obligated to "stick around" to "save the Club" from evolving beyond their comfort level. Again, we're talking about automating process that were once manual.
As a result, these folks consume a board position simply to maintain a vote so they can vote against evolutionary ideas (that aren't really that evolutionary anymore). One such instance was the implementation of a cloud-based shared drive for all Club docs vs individuals who have these items saved to a Desktop folder on some machine...
For the record, this is my second stint at the helm. I DO NOT want to do this forever, so I am trying to create systems and infrastructure that will allow me to "retire" from volunteering instead of sticking around for a decade and (eventually) being the one holding the Club back.
Very often, those geezers are the ones with time. The one extremely valuable resource, that is in vastly short supply, in the up and coming leaders. They have jobs and families that require significantly more dedication, than retired and established folks. I realize this is generalization, but I have found it to be often true. I have seen waves of very energetic groups looking to make "wise" sweeping changes to clubs. In two years they are often gone. You may think you have vastly better ideas, but I am sure they think their ideas are just as sound and often....not broken. Just because you do not get your way, it is not a reason quit helping run successful tournaments, leagues and a club. I am often outvoted in club matters. I think my ideas are superior....always.
As stated here, help where you can. The geezers will retire from the club or get tired of doing all the work. Folks that are willing to step up and run a club for a decade are VERY hard to find. Honestly, our club runs 8 or so tournaments, 3 to 4 leagues and a couple special events. Leadership is rarely in short supply, foot soldiers are.
Great question though.
In our area we've noticed the opposite...
They have time to dedicate, but being inefficient with that time is wasteful. The younger generation can get more accomplished more quickly because we communicate more fluidly outside our meetings.
It is not uncommon for us to see a dozen emails flying around on a given day - not every day or every week, but when there is a topic worth discussing, we do. The younger generation is engaged and active, the older guys do not reply to the email conversations as much, so we have to rehash the entire conversation, often many times over, to bring them up to speed.
I am grateful for anyone that wants to dedicate their energy to this sport, but we simply accomplish more if we are aligned in our thinking and actions. Volunteering to dig a hole for me is great, unless you dig in the wrong spot...:\