[wplug-plan] Making the big changes

simkins greg gregsimkins at me.com
Wed Dec 5 15:59:32 EST 2012


Hi Justin, 

The key word in your comments is "...because of our bylaws".  Yes, they should be changed.  I am not sure how to do that and I will likely be unavailable for your convention, unless it happens in late January/early February (I expect to be home for a few weeks).  I found out how WPLUG differs from every other organization to which I belonged when I was asked to stand for office.  Normally, this would be an honor and I was honored, until I found out that I was just an extra name on the list to make the election competitive.  I was hurt and insulted and stopped participating in any WPLUG politics. I see no reason for a competitive election.  If there is a controversial issue, then I guess that requires a competitive election, but normally professional groups operation by consensus.  Volunteer labor is hard enough to come by without such nonsense.  

If you don't want to throw out the bylaws and adopt model bylaws from a healthy organization, then perhaps you could benchmark off of any nationally successful organization.  I belonged to ASM and ASQ for most of my career.  

I mean these comments to be constructive.  I still enjoy WPLUG meetings when I can make it.  I just cannot abide WPLUG politics.  

Greg





On Dec 6, 2012, at 4:53 AM, Justin at js-wordsmith.com wrote:

> As Pat requested, I've moved my discussion about improving WPLUG to this mailing list.
> 
> Most of us seem to agree that WPLUG needs to make significant changes. However, because of our bylaws, significant changes requires active member participation. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a majority of our members to commit hours (or very likely days) to WPLUG and attend numerous meetings so that all of these changes can be made; we struggled just to find enough people to run for office this year.
> 
> Therefore, I proposed holding a "constitutional convention" that would give a dedicated group of delegates (volunteer or elected) the ability to enact changes without having to go through the usual outlets:
> 
> "Perhaps we need to take a page out of the Founding Fathers' playbook and hold a "constitutional convention" to fix these deficiencies. Hear me: I am NOT calling for the bylaws to be thrown out. This would be an opportunity for us to come together in an all-day event (or series of events) to pass fixes without the bureaucratic overhead. We could include as many delegates as necessary to ensure that everyone's opinion in the group is represented. Virtual delegates could participate via Google+ Hangouts or IRC, depending on how the convention is held.
> 
> What does everyone think of that?" 
> 
> All meetings would be done in the open. I wouldn't see anything wrong with drawing up a list of rules for the delegates so that they don't go too far.
> 
> Justin Smith
> Electronic Communication Specialist
> 724-612-2837
> http://www.js-wordsmith.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> wplug-plan mailing list
> wplug-plan at wplug.org
> http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug-plan

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