Adrian and others: I don't plan a lengthy response for one of the reasons I note below:
I've tried repeatedly to stop list messages from going too far off topic, ranging from broadcasting general suggestions about staying on track, to e-mailing some of the active members asking them to stop particular off-topic discussions that go on and on! As list owner I don't read all the list messages, for two reasons: (1) Most list messages are either off track, are nitpicking about some particular aspect of metric that really doesn't do anything for the cause, or messages are just lots of talk and no action. I don't see much action out there aside from a few members I know about, and (2) USMA officers are quite active and productive, with little time for most of the things that take place on the list! The list is merely an additional forum for the USMA, even after our Website which is updated in some aspect at least weekly. Our main communication tool to the general membership is the newsletter, Metric Today. If you could persuade the list subscribers to stay on subject, eliminate the nitpicking and the general perception among the subscribers that have left, that all there is, is talk, then you might see more constructive contributions. How many subscribers do you see write about the things done for the case, instead of just talking? Many of us have full-time bread-and-butter jobs as well as our interest in metric. We are all volunteers, no paid employees! I already do so much for the cause that my wife complains. USMA is only as good as it's members. You don't pay dues to have everything done for you. You are the ones who will make a differences, each in your own way. Don't expect miracles in this cause. I think it's come down to a little change at a time. So what has each of you done for the cause? Don Hillger USMA list owner -----Original Message----- From: Adrian Jadic [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, 2002 January 24 12:38 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [USMA:17614] RE: Thinning the list What you are telling us is regrettable and I think it is high time that we revise our attitude towards our postings on the list. I have to confess that I also hate it when people go WAY off track, or when I receive tenths of messages containing just a short dialog. I think that a posting should be regarded with the same respect, as it would be published in a newsletter. On the other hand let me take this opportunity to criticize the USMA officers. I have not once seen officers starting debates based on the leadership's schedule or program. Or about the association's goals for periods to come. I would (and I think others would as well) very much like to be able to participate in the activities of those who represent us. For example if our President's agenda for the next month or quarter includes such and such activities I think it would be appropriate to discuss the priorities of the schedule as well as to debate on the things to be done in each activity. I am sure that many of us would come with good ideas and if the President uses only one good idea that was generated from the list it is still more than what we have today. I have been an USMA member for the past 2 years and although I have subscribed to the list without interruptions, I have learned about the President's activities only from reading MT, way after the activity happened and the decisions were taken. I don't perceive this as a democracy! I am sure that if our leaders would take more time to actually lead the discussion on the list toward the more concrete aspects of their activities as USMA representatives, then the discussion would be more focused and interesting. I am sure that if this was the case, then the people you mention would have found on our list what they wanted which is: "What's being DONE today to move the US toward metrication"!!! ... And possibly, would have not left anymore. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that everything happens behind the scenes which is not the way it should be. There is no wonder that the direct result is, that in the absence of leadership in our discussion all we talk about is personal experiences, feelings, what happens in Europe and sometimes we nitpick on the SI or ISO. All it's missing from this picture is (metric) cooking recipes and we look like old ladies bitching about the world. I hope it is needless to say that this was intended as constructive criticism. Adrian ======================= Jim F. wrote: I've received an average of one message a month for the last few months from list members saying that they were unsubscribing. I suppose then that others may have done so without letting me know this. Since it's not my list, there is no reason why they should tell me they are checking out, of course, but I sense that they expect me to feed this back to the list. The most commonly stated reason for this exodus is the the volume of traffic not pertaining to metrication. Seems to me that I've seen more reports here lately on the value of the euro against the dollar and on other non-metric topics than I have on efforts made to change the minds of those in corporations, journalistic publications, or government in favor of metrication or messages on understanding the SI. That's probably what those departing the list are referring to. -- _______________________________________________ Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup 1 cent a minute calls anywhere in the U.S.! http://www.getpennytalk.com/cgi-bin/adforward.cgi?p_key=RG9853KJ&url=htt p://www.getpennytalk.com
