-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Star wrote:
| 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. Appearances are deceiving. Sigh. This has been in the works for years. Literally. But its not a sure thing. We have finally gotten to the point that the cabal wants to float the idea to the larger group and see what the response is. We've been spending the time (mostly scratching other itches), trying to come up with something solid enough to present. And most of the time was spent just trying. What you've been seeing on this list recently is all the heat and bother that comes with presenting something that might be shot down. | 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. To me (and so far, only me), your suggestion seems too complex. Precise and well-thought, but sufficiently complex that something will fall through the cracks or someone will object that the rules aren't being followed. So far, we have been a group that's good at coming up with ideas, but short on actioning them. We need something simple - like a show of hands. We are providing the mailing list and web site for those who can't show their hand to otherwise provide input. Right now, everything is open for comment, and everyone can comment on it. Before now, its been more of an idea that some people took the initiative to pursue. Its now moving to the "maybe we can tell people we're looking into this". Notice has been served on the discuss list, so the audience is wi[l]der. So anyone who really cares can say something and everyone who cares can read it. See http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/private/gnhlug-discuss/2005-October/011777.html and http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/private/gnhlug-discuss/2005-October/011779.html I agree that a "wait time" would be good. And the way this group works, it will probably be several months before we (whoever "we" are) make a decision. Right now, the cabal is just making the decision as to whether its going to propose to incorporate. And it looks like it has made the decision to make the proposal. There's still a lot to do before incorporation can occur. And one thing is creating the by-laws. What is posted on the web site is merely a draft. Please add your comments there! | 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 believe there are reasons other than closure for incorporation. A few are: ~ * Defensive - prevent someone from usurping our [good] name. ~ * Ease - so we can more easily secure gifts, meeting places, and ~ sponsorship. ~ * Structure - so we know what we are doing and who's doing it. ~ * Outreach - so people know what we are about and who is responsible. | 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). Thanks for your input. Its not late, but actually quite timely (things move slow in GNHLUG). And quite useful. But please, please comment on the current drafts. And continue to comment on the process. - --Bruce -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.1 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Thunderbird - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFDTcor/TBScWXa5IgRAmYHAKCibyTJxgWVPBT6dSmio26Z8KGvfACfXewH +uKQ51aaBTyMLjQnnePV/Zw= =rKOD -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ gnhlug-org mailing list [email protected] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-org
