Responses to questions and other issues: QUESTION 1: Who gets to participate? This message is going to everyone who expressed interest in OSI. Should it continue to go to the broader audience of interested parties who are playing but not yet paying?
I think opinions can be sought from all but finance is of concern, where voting has to be resorted to if any, then only members could be given the right or privelege. I did not have the impression that membership was essential. This communication gives me the impression that membership is important, more because the OSI needs it than the principle. QUESTION 2: We have 2 inactive OSI board members. How do we want to do selection? This question may best handled during the OSI (US) Annual Meeting at OSonOS. We may want to spend some e-mail time discussing the role of the board and how selection occurs. (Whoever comes?) By the way, currently I'd propose that the role of the board is to hold the space for OSI. Selection can be by the paying members only. It seems a wonderful idea to have the board operate in an Open Space manner. It could operate like one of the related sites. Operationally the board consists of all payed and valid members; Periods of the year are year marked for Board time; During the period, open space meeting take place; Specify guidelines for board decisions and concers; QUESTION 3: Currently, OSI (US) activities are either through e-mail or in Seattle. How do we give OSI an active presence elsewhere in the country? I have been pondering the idea of affiliates or chapters in many cities where people meet periodically to share stories, questions and learnings with each other. That would provide a place for new people and seasoned practitioners to share their questions and experiences with each other. What are your reactions to this form? The OSLIST would be a better forum. I think a list operational the way the Learning Organisation list operates with Rick Karaash as the host would have greater scope for dynamic dialogue. I have seen an announcement of OSI on that list and so I am sure the format is familiar to get an idea of what I mean. QUESTION 4: When I put the policy question on OSI membership in return for service out, the responses were profound and varied. Simplistically, of the 13 responses, there were approximately 3 who said yes, fair trade makes sense and 8 who said no. I think membership could follow the cooperative principle. Members benefit from services used in proportional manner rather than by membership. Token membership of any amount may be a could idea as suggested by you below. Based upon these responses, I propose that membership is membership paid for with money a donation of whatever a person can afford, even if that's less that $70.00. What do you think? QUESTION 5: I am beginning to realize that as a person whose name is given out when people want help in doing OS, that I am in a position to make referrals that could affect people's pocket books. What kind of stand do we want to take on requests for facilitation support made to OSI? This has not happened much yet, but I want us to anticipate a clean way to handle it with the hope that we have such a wonderful problem! If this OSI is to be a community of people with likemindedness, then members can benefit from licensed professionals. Both Client and Professional being members. Member being any one who has paid $ 1 to $ 70. The client pays a service fee as prescribed. The service fee can be lower for members than non members.(I am too new to make feasible suggestions, please take it for what it is worth). I hope this has been useful. $70 is quite steep for me. It works out to Rs 2500/- plus. I wonder if Institutions can be members rather than individuals. Books and video can be bought for the library. Designated individuals could be the link persons for operationalising the community. With best wishes, Thomas P Benjamin benja...@fac.irm.ernet.in
