CASAA | Board Nominees & Elections

[kristin]

Originally Posted by jj2

Any of the other nominees got anything like this to say. I'd love to hear it---informed decision and all that.

To be honest, it doesn't matter if I'm voted to the board or not. I'll be active in promoting and furthering the acceptance of PVs regardless.

I don't know what I can bring to CASAA that others expect of me, but I am passionate about vaping and winning the case for vaping in the court of public opinion. I'm like a pit bull - once I sink my teeth into something, I don't let go.

If I see I can help, I'll jump right in, as evidenced by the articles I wrote, promoting PVs and debunking misconceptions, when others would just complain there were no positive stories. Or the helpful tips I write on ECF, when others just complain about newbie questions. Where others can't be bothered, beyond complaining, I make the effort to help and I love doing it. I love knowing I've made someone's life better in some little way.

I also listen. I admit I'm no expert and I expect co-operation, from the vaping community, to help me get it right. I don't go off half-cocked with limited or biased information and I'm very willing to admit when I am wrong and eager to learn.

I genuinely like people, almost to a fault, where I assume only the best from them.

With twelve years as a real estate consultant, I am very experienced in working with different personalities and negotiating to bring people to common grounds.

I'm internet savvy, am familiar with many social networking groups, run a top-rated web site and have moderated several forums and online interest groups. I also have 2 different blogs and a monthly newsletter. Any article or blog where I have seen misinformation posted about vaping, I have taken the time and made the effort, to comment to politely correct the errors and positively promote vaping and vapers.

So far, I've converted 5 people to vaping from smoking.

So, I'm not sure why I was nominated - as to what people expect me to do. I'm certainly no expert. I have no medical or journalism background. I have no political background - beyond lobbying for homeowner's rights. For those things, I defer to the experts and hope to learn more from their guidance.

But I am passionate and determined. Whether I'm on the board or not, I will continue to support their efforts and try to show the world the diamond in the rough that they are missing amid all of the dirt.

So, if the members of ECF feel these are qualifications that may further our goals, I'd be more than happy to serve. Either way, I'm going to be involved, one way or another.

Kristin Noll-Marsh's Contributor Profile - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

[Thulium]

Originally Posted by jj2

Any of the other nominees got anything like this to say. I'd love to hear it---informed decision and all that.

I can relate to President Obama when I say I am "humbled" and honored just to be nominated and I feel a little corny for saying that. So I'll heed the call to action and share a bit about myself and my background:

My name is Thad Marney, but I generally post as Thulium or sometimes "The Devil's Thadvocate"--a reference to a jab a former roommate once made about my tendency to offer alternate viewpoints for argument's sake. In that spirit, I feel that my natural tendency to take a step back and try to re-examine issues from multiple viewpoints is the most important asset I would try to bring to the CASAA board.

I was raised in a traditional nuclear home as the oldest of 5 children. My father worked in the computer industry all my life, but he was also a licensed Minister so I was fairly conservative (politically and socially) growing up. After undiagnosed ADHD and some poor choices foiled my educational plans, I moved to southern Idaho and spent 2 years in volunteer service as an Assistant Director for a media production company and outreach ministry for At-Risk Youth that has since transitioned into a nationwide outreach called the eXtreme tour.

After that period, I returned to the Portland area and to my more technical roots and have spent the better part of the last 15 years in various systems support and quality assurance roles for businesses including Freightliner, Nike, Microsoft and Providence Health & Systems. Along with my technical savvy, I've worked in various customer service and even medical related industries which I feel gives me some additional perspective.

Currently, my only technical work is usually private consulting and the occasional bit of web development. The majority of my work now is as a home care provider for my friends with physical disabilities and I work part time as a guest attendant in Portland's Rose Garden Arena. (Go Blazers!!) I also have experience volunteering with Oregon Public Broadcasting and various organizations that advocate for adults and children with disabilities.

In no small part thanks to my exposure to a variety computer industry professionals, fellow customer service and call-center worker bees, and a lot of artists and musicians...I'm sure you can imagine how I might have developed a smoking habit despite my conservative upbringing. When I discovered e-cigarettes from a SmokingEverywhere vendor in the local mall, I was impressed enough at the basic concept that I spent way too much money on impulse only to be quickly dissatisfied with the quality but I remained convinced that this is an idea whose time has come. The way I see it, even if it turns out that I am still tempted to smoke the occassional analog, every one that I don't smoke is that much less pollution for me and more importantly I am not exposing my daughter to second-hand smoke while simultaneously improving the odds that her daddy will be around for her for a long time.

I've tried the patch, it irritated my skin and made me feel sick. I tried the gum--it was better than the patch because I could titrate, but it is expensive and pretty disgusting. I tried the lozenge--better than the gum, but I still wanted to smoke. I tried cold turkey--that worked, but never for long. I actually quite good success with hypnotherapy, but the effects of hypnotic suggestion for behavior modification are temporary without good follow-up.

In the final analysis, I support every person's right to choose the smoking replacement that works best for that individual. Personally, I love the e-cigarette because it takes the burden of "quitting" off my back. I don't really want to quit smoking--it helps me slow down and focus and I enjoy watching the smoke and I enjoy socializing with my friends over a cigarette. It is only with the e-cigarette that I don't have to quit the parts of smoking that I like while still getting rid of the things like nasty smelling breath and clothes, the constant coughing and wheezing, the fact that I catch colds and flus more often and they stick around longer, and most importantly e-cigarettes keep my daughter from being exposed to my smoke.

A few days ago, my daughter found an a mostly broken Smoking Everywhere e-cig lying unused and said, "That's healthier for you, isn't it daddy? You should use that." So right now I am trying out my first 510 and if my perspective or experience on the CASAA board can do anything to help promote our freedom from poisonous smoke, I would consider it an honor to serve either on the elected board or as a lay member.

Best regards,
Thad Marney

[Moobyghost]

So when do I start shaking hands and kissing babys?

[Drewsworld]

First let me say I am honored to have been nominated and have humbly accepted the nomination.
My organizational skills when it comes to computers are feeble at best.
My time is precious and rarely free.
I founded and championed a non profit 501c3 organization and served as Executive Director for over 10 years and currently hold an honorary position and continue to offer my services on a voluntary basis.
I have sued 5 local governments and the State of NJ taking the case to a federal level and winning a National Charter for Self-Run, Self Governed Recovery Houses for Recovering Substance Abusers.
I am relentless when it comes to my rights and the rights of others and will NEVER lay down for the FDA or any other organization that is trying to stop us from vaping.
I am prepared to continue marketing, promoting and distributing these products until they kick my door down and drag me away, and then I will continue from off shore if necessary.

It is my opinion on and belief that "There is no Wrong way to do the Right thing"

Thanks and that will be my campaign cry...


THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING

[halfevildruid]

My name is Michael Thomas in sunny southern Utah. I am a married father of 3 great yet very mischievious boys. I am a technician by day, residential and mobile service of home theater, computer networks/repair, satellite tv, 2-way satellite internet, and VSAT.

I was surprised as well as honored to be nominated for the possibilty of serving on this board with some great folks. As a 36 year old 20 year smoker, I fully support nicotine delivery through alternatives such as electronic vaporizers, patches, gum and lozenges, etc. As we all know there is much current debate and misinformation associated with personal vaporizers and thier usage, and I will work hard to promote and educate. Some may wonder about my love for druids, which stems from growing up with a love for the Shannara series of books written by Terry Brooks. The Druids of Shannara are an order of historians, philosophers, teachers, researchers, and philanthropists working after an apocolypse to restore science (and magic) to a land stripped of everything they used to have and live for. In our fight for choice, wether to deter the PV apocalypse, or to continue the fight after the possible ban, I think we will need all of those things to make ground. There is also much debate concerning ties of our country's founding fathers belonging to a druid order but that is debate for another time.

My current projects are a community based charity currently in soft launch at VividChange, as well as 3 online stores. They can be found at eVapor, DealBoxUSA, and my coming mod shop. You won't find much info at the stores, they are in construction and/or re-building. They are taking my partner and I a long time, but we do everything ourselves from the ground up.

I believe in the protection and education of not only our devices, but our freedom to choose. While we should be allowed to use tobacco if we choose, we should have the right to obtain our nicotine through whatever delivery method we choose. I believe the organization should not only promote and educate PV's, but also support (or not support if need be) any other products currently on the market or that may come to us at a later time. While our fight is currently here at home and takes precedent for us, there are other places in the world now and surely later, that will also need our support. I believe in the fight at home and also the need to fight the fight abroad. I will also be for the organization to offer smoking cessation support, as well as nicotine cessation support.

My board voting would be unbiased, with support of the following:
Industry Safety and Testing
Marketing Standards (including labeling, representation and age verification)
Openness to ALL products, not just PV's.
Support of cessation.
Public Awareness of ALL choices available.

I hope this says enough, and my support and action stays live regardless of any voting outcome. I am happy to be a part of all we stand for.

Thans for your time...

half

[Mister]

I am honored to be nominated. But I have declined, please remove me from the list.

[mtndude]

Originally Posted by Mister

I am honored to be nominated. But I have declined, please remove me from the list.

Would have been proud to see you elected to the board, but respect your decision. Any other Canadians nominated?

[yvilla]

Mister's bowing out brings up a question, Webby: Will you be adding another candidate to the field to keep the same number?

I would love to see PhiHalcyon on the list - he(?) clearly has a great understanding of the legal issues at hand.

[kristin]

Originally Posted by halfevildruid

Some may wonder about my love for druids, which stems from growing up with a love for the Shannara series of books written by Terry Brooks. The Druids of Shannara are an order of historians, philosophers, teachers, researchers, and philanthropists working after an apocolypse to restore science (and magic) to a land stripped of everything they used to have and live for.

I read that series, as well. Good read!

[breakfastchef]

I am completely shocked to see my name on the list for a CASAA. Thanks to all who believe I might offer something useful to the vaping community.

After 30+ years of smoking analogs, I was able to leave them behind three days after I started vaping. I never intended to quit; it just happened. My wife is happy that I gave up analogs, but is far from being 'on board' with vaping. There seems to be a disconnect with the general public who believe that nicotine is the most evil substance in analogs. I have an uphill battle about the real danger of smoking while admitting I may have an addiction.

While I am an ardent vaping advocate, I also understand the need for proper testing of e-liquid, inhaled vapor and second-hand vapor to insure everyone affected by vaping is safe and can make an informed decision about this new habit. That would make me cautious, yet supportive up to the point that a person or association makes claims that cannot be verified or backed-up by scientific evidence. No, I am not siding with the FDA or claiming we should have our right to make personal decisions compromised; I am simply leaving the door open to future knowledge none of us have right now.

Vote as you will, but I remained humbled by this simple nomination.