On Wed, 2004-01-28 at 10:56, Bruce Dawson wrote:
> On Wed, 2004-01-28 at 10:21, Rob Lembree wrote:
> > On Wed, 2004-01-28 at 10:06, Bruce Dawson wrote:
> > > On Wed, 2004-01-28 at 08:26, Ed Lawson wrote:
> > > > On 27 Jan 2004 22:13:06 -0500
> > > > Bruce Dawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > > I'd like to suggest that the groups have created a comfortable
> > > > > structure and that they feel they don't need Quarterly "global"
> > > > > meetings anymore. But that they do like (or don't care about) the
> > > > > infrastructure that GNHLUG set up, and might continue to use it -
> > > > > especially when one finds a "big name" to come speak. Sorta like BLU,
> > > > > SwANH, and GNSEG do with GNHLUG. 
> > > > 
> > > > I suppose I should keep quiet because I have not helped out as I should
> > > > and the current state is the result of people like me not doing anything
> > > > to help GNHLUG and Centralug grow.  However, talk is cheap.
> > > 
> > > Good. You're not keeping quiet! Talk may be cheap, but it "gets the
> > > juices going".
> > > 
> > > I believe you have your gripes with the group - considering all the
> > > "waffling" we've done on the "formalization" of the group.  Which is
> > > something I'm not opposed to, but I am opposed to asking for fees from
> > > "members" to support the "formalization".
> > We have the paperwork complete, and I am willing to donate the
> > $25 filing fee -- but I haven't done it yet because I've seen
> > a complete vacuum in people coming forward to help do things
> > with the group.
> 
> Thanks for donating the fee - I never knew what was going on with that
> because no one bothered to post a message to the -org list. 

I've sat on it because while I still think it's the right thing
to do, I haven't been able to invigorate the group to make it
a complete picture.

> Hmm. Maybe the real problem is lack of appropriate communications
> instead of member apathy. I've often wondered about this - to the point
> of wondering if I forgot to say something.
> 
> What things need doing? 
> 
> > Case in point: I'm now doing the public library project all
> > by myself, because it's something I believe it, and because
> > nobody stepped forward to help out.  I'm now afraid that if
> > I act as a leader, I'll end up doing all the work.
> 
> I think you're doing the right thing - then advertise the effort to the
> GNHLUG group. Sure, solicit help, (which you did), and it'll come if
> there's sufficient interest.
> 
> If enough good things are done in the name of GNHLUG, then people will
> start coming again. But we need to be careful that we don't overwhelm
> ourselves with work.

Well, ya, the core group can't do all the work, and by and
large, that's what we've done for quite a while now.

> > The reason for formalizing was not to collect dues, it was to
> > give a tax beneficial structure for an active group to do some
> > good things for the community and our members.  But if we're
> > not doing anything, or if only a few people are doing things,
> > it just doesn't make sense.
> 
> I know that was the reason. But frequently, the financial tail ends up
> wagging the dog, and I want to avoid that. If the fees and dues required
> of the formalization require us to start asking for membership fees,
> then I just want to avoid that.

Agreed.

> > > Seems to me, we just need someone to "take charge" and do it - if we
> > > don't like it, then we can leave. Sorta like what maddog did back in the
> > > early days - when things were exciting.
> > Do what?  I wanted us to get out and do some good things for Linux
> > and ourselves, but failed to get anyone to help out.  Sigh.  See
> > what I mean?
> 
> Do anything! Like the library project! Like the web site. Like the
> distribution disks. Like the booth at Hosstraders.
> 
> It seems we have a problem coordinating things with multiple people
> (except probably drinking beer), so maybe we should just stick with
> one-person projects until someone comes along and shows us how to do
> things as a team.

Well, a long while back (a year ago), I wanted some "project leads"
to step forward to handle a number of ideas that I had.  I got zero
response!  I figured that if some of the "core" people took on
projects with people contributing, that'd be the way to make us 
work as a team.  The library work was a recent idea, but now I'm
not only the leader of the group, but the project leader for the
project, and the only contributor.  It's not working.  I do think
that apathy might be a part of it.  Certainly, something's keeping
people from stepping forward to do stuff.

> Rob, I'm not intending to pick on you. Or your excellent and valiant
> leadership. Its just that the problem seems very related to the New
> Englander mode of "doing things"... Do it yourself and if anyone
> complains - well that's their fault.

I understand, and I'd agree with your "doing things" thing, except
that nobody's doing things, except those few of us who arrange
meetings and the hosstraders presence.

-- 
Rob Lembree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
JumpShift, LLC
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