I think that something should be made absolutely clear. If there are bunch of you guys out there that want to get into the whole AGM/committee/organisation thing then I don't think there will anybody to stand in your way. Good grief, I might even join. ;-)
And for all that, what does it matter if there are four separate Linux groups? The only criteria as far as I can see is that people turn up. A huge part of the open-source ethos is that different people should be able to do things as they see fit. If you think you have the right idea, see if you can "herd the cats". The main prerequisite is that people are interested in joining/participating. Just be warned, we geeks tend to be a uncooperative and argumentative lot :-) On Sun, 2004-02-08 at 22:16, Gareth Williams wrote: > My $0.02 - > > As things currently stand we have a committee who primarily look after the > small amount of money "CLUG"* has aquired, and the avenues through which that > money is spent / aquired (read: meetings, workshops, installfests). This a > valuable role (espeically as far as money is concerned, heh). And helpers > need rounding up for installfests, speakers need rounding up for meetings, > etc etc. This has been a weak point of ours recently. Nick E. does have a good point in that there should be someone has the time and inclination to "herd the cats" for any meetings that we might want. > > But the group is really the mailing list. This is where people come for help, > this is where decisions are usually made, this is where most discussions > happen. Any off list activities are really just a semi-organised gathering of > like minded people, who organised something and invited people via a common > mailing list. With the exception of the funds (which the committee looks > after), that's all there is really. And that's all we need. > > Why do we need a formal group (aka committee) organising things like official > dinners / dinner meetings? If people on the list want to meet others and eat > food, they don't need any kind of structure to do so. Someone (let's say > Nick, for example ;-) decides they want to organise a small get together at a > local restraunt, and posts an open invitation to all list members. Those who > wish to join the fun do so, those who can't make it (like me, regrettably), > or who can't afford it (me also, heh ;-) don't. > Now, somebody tell me what is wrong with that system. Nothing the whole point is that everybody can do what they want. > > It works. - worked (and from the sounds of it everyone had a good time :-) > > I would like to see the committee stick to their current role of organising > meetings and installfests. Input from people on list as to the content of > these (do we need more speakers? more workshops? etc) is of course a good > thing. But anything additional that can be left on an ad-hoc basis (such as > dinners) should be IMHO. > > Basically - if you want an activity, organise it yourself, and post an > invitation to others on the mailing list.** > > I don't think we need an AGM, unless any of those on the committee feel they > wish to step down, in which case we will need to elect replacements (but even > that can be done on-list). Things are running pretty well by themselves. > > In any case, I move a pre-emptive motion that nobody move any motions, > counter-motions, motions to append motions, or any other such silliness, > should an AGM be held this year :-) :-) > > > Sorry for the long post. > > Cheers, > Gareth > > * there is no CLUG ;-) > > ** this goes for forming random community trusts and the like too ;-) > Maybe there could be a more formal group for those that want it and whenever we want an off the cuff fix-up meeting, seminar type thing or booze up or whatever we could do that as well. I suspect that there is support for a a formal structure and I don't think anyone should stand in the way of that happening. I can even see that it could have some very good spin-offs. I say go for it. But I will be very wary of it for at least a while, as committees etc can give me the screaming s***s if they are badly done. The money is reasonably negligent but any event that looks worthwhile IMO should be considered for support by whatever funds there are. my 2 cents. -- ---------------------------------------------------- Regards, Zane Gilmore (Linux nerd since 1998) ____________________________________________________ Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.:- A.C.Clark ____________________________________________________
