Niels, If I could interject on some of your comments. Please understand that any inferred attacks or flames are not intended as such to you or anyone else that might be affected. it is simply my opinion and my vision for what I see CLUG evolving into.
* I have always believed that if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem and that if you don't participate in the electoral process (at whatever level and in whatever arena) you give up your right to b!tch or to have your concerns heard. Your posts have made some excellent points and have brought up some very valid questions, concerns, thoughts, ideas, etc. I think a lot of things that you say, need to be said as do the same contributions of other people. I guess the real measure of a man is whether he gets elected or not. I think you should run...not that I have major issues with the current executive...but perhaps you are what CLUG needs to lead it forward. I do have a few but if I felt strongly enough I would have bought a membership by now right? We certainly haven't had the best choices for all levels of government, but we as a people still continue on. * I don't know if your comments about Shawn are quite fair. I don't know your history with him, not is it my business or concern as it does not (or should not) affect his willingness to govern. If you don't feel he can lead then step up and make it a race instead of the gong show it may end up being after what I saw last night. Maybe Shaun's perceived or real inexperience is what CLUG needs...who knows... I am not an expert but if FLOSS is about choice I would rather have a choice of who I would vote for. This isn't just a call for you to run, but for anyone willing to step up and take a stab at it. Maybe if there was less of a goofball or gong show feel to the ways things can run right now, maybe I would put my money where my mouth is, buy a membership and vote.. pr maybe run myself. I do still have time so who knows ...maybe there might be a race after all? * Holding an office isn't about experience or bragging rights or anything like that. It is about following through with your conscience and letting your actions speak for your heart. Maybe that sounds a bit naive or idealistic, but we have to believe in something right? I would like to think that in some small way that I had something to do with CLUG having an executive. I remember when I first started coming to meetings that I felt that things could be done better and that things could go beyond where they are now. I was also quite new to Linux and FLOSS and felt that I was/would be/maybe still am seen as a part of a screwball or whack job that people don't take seriously. I guess I have always been self-conscious about my life and where I am in it and maybe it is something that I just didn't feel I could do the job or that I didn't want to screw up and look like an idiot. Feel that way to much as it is. But I think that some of the comments I made were in part planting a seed for what CLUG now is and can be. Do I know it all NO... do I have all the answers...NO....does anyone....NO FRICKIN WAY! * You mentioned participation.. Very excellent point! I think we all know what peoples schedules are like and how hectic life can be. I personally try to be as involved as much as I can...why.....for many reasons. But I would like to think...and have tried to live my life by the creedo that if you want people to come to action, then lead by example and show them the way. >* Or is me running for office a silly idea, because I'll turn the > culture of the group inside out? Maybe inadvertently kill whatever there > is now, and nothing else would even take it's place? That would be > really stupid, and I wouldn't want to do that to anyone. * Who knows....maybe a happy medium between these two or more things is what the group needs? > > * Should I rather think about starting a new group for FLOSS > enthusiasts, who actually like being more organized? * Again...who knows. Maybe there is room enough for two or more FLOSS/LINUX/GEEK/ETC. groups in Calgary and area? > I have way more questions than answers - do you have any insight, which > you might be able to share with me? * I think we all feel this way right now! For what it is worth. I want to thank Niels for stirring the pot and for the current nominees being willing (whether by challenge, revenge or conviction) to let there names stand. I would encourage others (including myself) to prayerfully/logically/emotionally/physically/etc'ly consider the possibility of running. Big deal if you lose! I have lost many times in my life but I always get up and try to push forward and fight on. Maybe I am to stupid to give up...or maybe because the journey is more important than the destination. Thoughts and ramblings from a Tier <but still valuable to the group...in some way I hope ;-)> Member! Regards, Cameron _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [email protected] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca Mailing List Guidelines (http://clug.ca/ml_guidelines.php) **Please remove these lines when replying
