The problem with Robert's suggestion is that it is not as simple as someone with some skills in writing coming up with a proposal for synod. This is not like the ethical investment stuff, which is a set of principles that guide investment in organisations beyond the church. It is about having a standard software system across the church, so that we can easily exchange files with one another within the church (including congregations, church members, community service facilities, church schools and agencies) and with the organisations beyond the Uniting Church with which we also work (other churches, community organisations, parliament, business and so on). Parliamentary inquiries, for example, ask for submissions to be in Word format. Behind our synod social justice resolutions is usually a wealth of research, information , analysis and discussion. We need that in this case. We need someone with an interest in this issue, technical expertise in the software applications we use and an understanding of the ways in the churches use the applications, the freeware that is available, what it can and cannot do and what is involved in changing the software that one uses to a totally different product (eg how easy is it to access past files or to integrate material from one application with another?), to provide us with with a brief that gives us well researched information on what are the reasonable alternatives. I suggest that that person should then talk with the IT departments in the synods about the brief and try to get them onside, and if they are resistant add to the brief an acknowledgement of their concerns and rebuttal of their arguments against the change. How would we set up this system so that it works and so that we can benefit from the productivity increases that some significant advances in software provide? What are the costs and the savings, who would bear the costs and who would benefit from the savings? Would it actually advance social justice in a practical way? Once all that is done, we can ask someone to write a synod resolution and rationale summarising it all and suggesting what the church might do. Ann (Rev. Dr.) Ann Wansbrough UnitingCare NSW.ACT PO Box A 2178 Sydney South 1235 Phone (61) (02) 8267 4280 Fax (61) (02) 9267 4842 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message ----- From: "robert dummermuth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "insights" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 10:12 AM Subject: Re: Government, The Smith Family and Software Promotions > Rodd Clarkson wrote: in part > > > On a personal note, it worries me that the Uniting Church seems loathe > > to stop using Microsoft products even when other more appropriate > > products exists, would meet the needs of the church and would actually > > work more towards the social justice principals of the church. Many in > > the church were happy to boycott Shell during the apartheid in South > > Africa, but the thought of having to change software so that low income > > families might better integrate into society it just too hard. > > > > For example, you can't talk about a fair eduction for all, while the > > software used in schools is too expensive for low income families to > > afford and alternatives that are more than suffice for educational and > > other purposes exist. > > > > The simple fact is that every time you send someone a word document, you > > assume they are rich enough to afford a copy of word. No wonder Christ > > used to tell stories (instead of writing them down), at least no one can > > make you buy software to listen to them. ;-] > > > > Rodd > > ------------------------------------------------------ > > Is this something like the UCA's "ethical investments" stuff? I recall we have an established policy of investing our funds > - I think we talked about it at a synod meeting some years back (don't ask me which synod now). > > Perhaps we need to talk about an "ethical business practice" along the same lines? > > Would someone with some skill in writing motions like to come up with a proposal to put to each synod? Now is about time to > start thinking about synod motions. > > Peace, > Rob > -- > Robert & Barbara Dummermuth > Uniting Church in Australia > Esperance / West Nullarbor Patrol > 18 Hicks Street, Esperance, 6450 > tel 08 9071 1184 > fax 08 9071 5814 > mobile 0428 532 304 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ > - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] > - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) > See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm > ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
