Re: GNHLUG *ONLINE*: Request for a bit of wisdom

[Star]

Speaking as someone who's essentially a list-lurker, and only recently has been able devote the necessary mind share to even show up at a local meeting and read through the mail-lists, it is pretty obvious that the "group" as a whole does, in fact, have a central cadre of volunteers that act as the inner-circle in guiding the GNHLUG monster.  It's somewhat humbling to see that people at least as (if not more) busy in life than I am be able to attend to the group matters with the kind of selflessness often displayed and often awed.

My only fear in the way this ~appears~ (much emphasis) is that, whether by nature or nurture, this is a race for the finish-line in getting the corporation formed.  And that race is well underway from within while those of us on the side-lines only now realize that a race is to be organized.

I understand that everyone with interest is allowed, indeed encouraged, to take part as vocally and as actionably as they can.  And given the ability, time, and resourses, I know that many, many more people would.

My thought on this is to have a waiting period.  Call it a four-month open call for input from the community at large.  Allow any interested user to submit their ideas for considerations in the by-laws.  Draw straws for three(ish) people to take on the huge task of weeding out the duplicates and obtaining clarification (where necessary) and compiling a full list for consideration on an individual basis for acceptance.  Once there, allow for an open quorum for the selection of an interim group who's task it is to form the charter and apply the by-laws that would create the board (at whatever number) and it's governence.  Make sure that this quorum can be enacted without having to squeeze 500 people (just to throw a number out there) into any one room, or to discount anyone who, for whatever reason, cannot feasibly show up to a one-nighter.  This could feasibly be done by mid-summer 2006 and make sure that everyone with interest was able to be heard accordingly.  And there's something to be said to a fiscal year that begins in September...  Taxes and audits are far easier without the onslaught of holiday's or summer vacations.

The business sense/experience within this group is not to be questioned or doubted, but whereas this incorporation would be the gathering of an entire class of users vs. a service or product per se, the goals of the formation of it need to be different and inclusive.  It doesn't do the group or the fledgling incorporation-to-be (should that be the direction) any good to, for the sake of closure, formalize it self out of a user-base.

I know this is a little late to the discussion, but it's just the view from the cheap seats (long winded as it is).

~ Star