[wplug-plan] Making the big changes

[John Lewis]

How about instead of focusing on bylaws and regulations we try to 
implement the Recipe for a Successful Linux User Group by Rick Moen, 
mirrored on 
http://www.wplug.org/wiki/Recipe_for_a_Successful_Linux_User_Group.

On 12/05/2012 05:38 PM, Pat Barron wrote:
> 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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