Hello Everyone It's clear that there is no CLUG, but many people before me have expressed surprise at that and like me have looked to improve the function of the local Linux community by doing some very obvious things.
Nick Elder : "I MOVE THAT THE CLUG MEETING THIS COMING WEDNESDAY BE A GENERAL MEETING AND THAT AT THIS MEETING WE FORM AN EXECUTIVE !" Christopher Sawtell: "I second that!" So at least two people assume that something exists that needs a committee, and forgive my ignorance but I thought is was the CLUG. Never mind. There are some things the require formal process. Creating the organisation called the CLUG is easy. Someone moves a motion "that the CLUG be formed" and if that gets support it's done. There are a few details to tidy up, but since it's all common sense stuff it should take about 10 minutes, not three hours. Something like this: "That the five man committee appointed on 29 January 2003 be recognised as the Executive Committee of CLUG." "That the Executive Committee of the CLUG invite into it's membership as non-voting members as many other people as it needs to run the CLUG effectively." "That the Executive Committee of the CLUG appoint one of their number to be a Chairman" "That the other four members of the Executive Committee consider how they might best contribute to the development of the CLUG, and agree among themselves to adopt appropriate roles and responsibilities." "That the CLUG Executive Committee report back to the CLUG no later than September 30 2003, on suggested administrative rules for the CLUG which will cover such things as the purpose, the role of the Executive Committee, power to form sub committees, control of CLUG assets and a procedure for winding up the CLUG is that is required at some future date." There should be nothing controversial in the above suggestion. All the "power" of the Executive Committee is in the hands of the five people already appointed who group members already know, respect and trust. Since we are doing some new things it might be beneficial to use "trust" for a while, while we develop a few rules. I'm personally against establishing an Incorporated Society, that's unnecessary unless we have assets, loans, and/or substantial property. I would also caution you against adopting the sort of rules law firms typically offer organisations. Those rules are designed to protect ownership, and to avoid legal battles (or cause legal battles) over things like membership rights. Good rules give members power. Good rules ensure that the people elected by the members have defined roles. Good rules ensure that nobody remains in the same executive position year on year. Good rules require the executive to train ordinary members to be executive members. Executive members are themselves preparing to be Chair or President of Chief Penguin or whatever you call the role of the senior executive member. (There needs to be rules about money and assets too, but that's not the key thing.) Good rules are used every time the Executive Committee or the organisation as a whole does something. (Sadly the sort of rules most of you know are thrown in a draw after they come back from the lawyer and are never referred to again unless there's a serious money problem.) Once again none of those principles should be controversial. The aim of the CLUG is primarily educational, and the organisation is controlled by it's members. You don't have to join, but if you would like to join I'm sure someone will make you welcome. Regards John John S. Veitch mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Photo Available on WWW http://www.ate.co.nz/johnsveitch.jpg Adapt to Experience URL http://www.ate.co.nz/ for Virus Protection http://www.ate.co.nz/trend/
