[wplug-plan] Making the big changes

[Pat Barron]

Greg,

I wonder if you could comment briefly on what problems you see in the 
WPLUG bylaws?  I mean, I have my own opinions about things that I'd like 
to see changed, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.

I've been poking around at the bylaws of some professional 
organizations, and haven't found one that isn't largely managed by a 
board of directors (or some similar structure) elected by the membership 
in a competitive election.  I can tell you for instance that the ACM 
works that way (plus, they also have paid leadership positions such as 
an executive director that is hired by the board).  Do you have any 
organizations whose governance models you particularly admire?  (I did 
try to look up the bylaws of the ASQ, but they apparently make their 
bylaws available only to members of the organization.)

There's also the IETF model of doing things ("We believe in rough 
consensus, and working code" - in other words, if you want to do 
something, go do it, and work to convince others that it's a good idea), 
but even there there's an awful lot of politics, and it sort of assumes 
access to resources in a way we don't necessarily have.  Much of the 
work done by organizations like the IETF is actually funded by 
third-parties with relatively deep pockets, so in terms of an 
organization like WPLUG, it'd be similar to telling people who have an 
idea that they need to go implement it and pay for it themselves, out of 
pocket - and then maybe the organization would pick it up if it seems 
like it's working well - and I'm not sure how well that would fly in an 
organization like ours.

--Pat.

On 12/05/2012 3:59 PM, simkins greg wrote:
> 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
>

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