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Although the GSAS Board List is used almost every week to
discuss issues that need immediate attention by the board, the idea of an
official, planned forum has not been done before (in my brief, one-year
experience). I originally requested
that we have such a forum to discuss the topic of Board Member Requirements
since it is a topic about which several people have passionate opinions. My reason for suggesting such a forum
can be described this way. I,
myself, have no intention of ever being on a debate team. Given time, I can express how I feel
using the written word, but verbally shooting from the hip at a moment’s
notice is not my strong point.
Others undoubtedly have the opposite personality and abilities. I’m sure some would prefer to
express themselves verbally at a board meeting and the idea of initiating the discussion
with an email forum does not preclude that. We may find that this method (if done right) is a useful
tool. We may also find that it was
a terrible idea and I must admit that I’m not sure which the outcome will
be. I thank the board for supporting
me in at least trying it to see if it is of any value. I would like to offer some initial guidelines as you prepare
your posts. Keep the attitude
positive. Show the benefits and
merits of your viewpoint; and yes, the downfalls of the opposing viewpoint, but
do it without personal attacks (whether outright, implied, or insinuated). There are some people where I work that
are known for very poor email tactics.
Their emails are commonly referred to as “nasty-grams” by
their coworkers. They use
hit-and-run tactics to say things in an email that they would not (or at the
very least should not) be willing to say in person. That is NOT what this proposed forum is
about. We are friends in a hobby
club. We are friends that have
stepped up to the plate to be leaders and provide direction to make that hobby
club a rewarding and pleasant experience.
We are friends that have differing opinions of how that leadership and
direction should be administered.
But we are FRIENDS none the less – and, let’s keep it that
way. One mental exercise that I have enjoyed while pondering my
own post (which will come as a separate email later), is the following
“CARE-Scale” for lack of a better term. I believe it will be helpful for me
anytime I consider a topic of discussion or offer my opinion on an issue. You may find it helpful, or you may find
it a waste of time – either is okay as I did not develop it with the idea
of making it anything other than an aid to MY thought process. If it helps YOUR thought process, then
please, feel free to refer to it. On a scale from zero to six, how much do I
“Care” about “thus-and-so”? 0
[Zero] I have no opinion, no
preference, and no interest in developing one. 1
[One] I have an opinion that I
perceive neither to be “right” nor “wrong” and I feel
no need to argue the point. 2
[Two] I have an opinion that I
generally perceive to be “right” (for me), but I am very open to
input and could easily be persuaded otherwise. 3
[Three] I have an opinion that I am
confident to be the best choice, but I am open to input. If faced with opposition I would defer
to the majority rather than attempt to defend my position. 4
[Four] I have an opinion about which
I am confident that it is right, proper, and the best alternative. Although I feel that I could
successfully defend it, I recognize that others’ opinions to the contrary
are just as valid and compromise is a very likely option. 5
[Five] I have an opinion that I am
firmly persuaded to be correct and it is unlikely that I could be persuaded to
think otherwise; any compromise would have to be meaningful and positive. 6
[Six] At the top of the scale, I
have an opinion that is governed by a principle by which I live my life, a
conviction which is unmovable, and I will not debate the issue as it pertains to me; therefore, compromise
is not an option. I have real trouble trying to imagine any
“realistic” issue about which I would rate my “care
level” at either the bottom or the top of my scale – not in a hobby
club like GSAS. However, I guess it
could happen. Although in “my world,” I would have chosen to
initiate three separate email topics (one for each question posed by the
Board), the rest of the board members present when we first discussed this
forum felt strongly that it should be one “SUBJECT” line with any
or all three issues discussed in the same email, so that’s how it is now
presented. Please post your ideas
on the following three topics. 1)
Should the Board establish
attendance (and/or other requirements) to be imposed on its own members in
order to “remain as a board member”? Please feel free to support your
opinion. If you believe that there
is a need for some level of requirements, how should those requirements be administered? Please be aware that this subject was
first introduced when we did not have a copy of our bylaws; and, now that we
have found a copy, it has yet to be discussed how we will proceed. One might assume that any alterations to
official policies would have to be incorporated into that document by the
prescribed procedure, but again, HOW any proposed requirements might be “made
official” is a different topic.
THIS forum deals with the question of whether we should have any formal
requirements at all, and if so, how they should be administered. 2)
How can we improve participation
from the general membership? 3)
Suggestions for holding general
elections for board members – again, maybe this is a mute point since
we’ve found the bylaws (or maybe not?) Let’s see what comes of it. Please consider your post(s) thoughtfully and offer them as
time allows between now and the next board meeting. Rick GSAS Secretary/Historian |