[wplug-board] Board meeting next week, sometime?

[Bill Moran]

Chris Teodorski wrote:

> The request was made that we look to go some place that is low or no cost.
> I think this rules out Outback.

I have to agree with Chris on this.  Additionally, while Outback is quiet
compared to many other restaurants, I still feel that it is too distracting.

I've been thinking about this a bit, and one of my duties (per Roberts, as
I recall) is to run board meetings.  I'm going to attempt to do a better
job of this.  My plan is based on the fact that all of us have things to
do - our time is valuable (I listened _far_ too closely to the Franklin-
Covey stuff).  Even if we want to get together and socialize, that's
something that we usually need to _plan_ for.

So - the theory is that board meetings are _not_ social events.  We are
there to get WPLUG stuff done.  Of course, we all seem to get along well,
and I think this will be a hindrance if we allow it.

So.  The first thing I'd like to do is propose that we adopt a "tradition"
of "work + afterparty".  The concept is we work before we play.  I'd like
to recommend that we schedule board meetings at the most non-distracting
places possible - preferably meeting rooms.  No food.  No TV in the
background.  The goal is to get into the board meeting and get through
the agenda efficiently.

The "afterparty" part is optional.  That way if someone is on a budget,
they can successfully whine about how little money they have.  (Note,
that successful mooching is more effective when the only other option
is that said moocher can't attend!)

This accomplishes a number of things:
1) It encourages us to get _work_ done.
2) If someone is on a major time crunch, then can attend the board
    meeting knowing it will be as short as possible and not go to the
    afterparty.
3) If someone is cash-strapped, they can attend the board meeting
    without worrying about money, and can focus their finances on
    what's important: the afterparty.
4) It gives us a larger variety of places to go for the afterparty,
    since we don't have to worry about a location that serves both
    purposes.
5) It allows me to type up a long-winded explanation.
6) It allows me to use the term "afterparty" which presents the
    illusion that I actually have a social life.

I'm not so sure if there's really any advantage to #5.

Anyway.  My suggestion then is that we seek out a place to have the
board meeting that fits the following criteria:
1) It's primarily a meeting place.  One of the conference rooms at
    CMU would be fairly ideal, if Beth can swing it.
2) It's close to places that are good for afterparties.
3) It's as easy for everyone to get to as possible.

One of the key distractions that I would like to keep away from board
meetings is food.  No matter how we do it, it's my perception that
having food at a meeting slows things down and is distracting.  Save
the appetite for wherever we go afterwards.

So ... what does everyone think?