From: apb@world.std.com (Al Beecy)
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal ??
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 05:39:45 GMT


Recently, I posted a list of proposed budget cuts both to this forum and
the CIS Mensa forum. Here's a response from one of the RVCs regarding some
of the proposed cuts. Let's hear what you think.

-Al

*long response follows*
***********************
 
#: 98066 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:48:49
Sb: Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

Ready for a lengthy reply?

<<<1) Since they're talking about redrawing the borders, anyway, reduce the
number of RVCs from 9 to 7, or even 5, at the same time.>>>

        This would really hamper the work of the RVCs.  When the current
borders were set up, it was unclear whether the number of members in the
region or the number of groups would determine the workload of the RVC.  It
has become clear, especially in my region (5), that the number of groups is
the key.  I have 31 groups to work with.  The next largest has 19.  The rest
range from 11 to 16.  Though there are other reasons involved (I still have to
make a living in the real world), this has been a major reason why I have felt
I have not been as effective an RVC as I wanted to be, and I don't think I had
unreasonable expectations.  15 or 16 would be a much more manageable number.
I truly believe we need ten regions, or at least redivide the 9 we have to
make a better balance.  Add to this the other duties we perform on the AMC.
There is no way 7, let alone 5 RVCs, would  make an effective organization.
        There is a point where spending cutbacks hurt the group.  It would be
like removing the trunk lid of your car to save weight, thereby saving gas
when the price of gas goes up.  You actually use more gas because of the drag
effect created by the missing trunk lid.

<<<2) Send RVCs coporate NLs only from their region.>>>

        I abided by this, since 31 is greater than 25.  Actually I only take
30, since I do get my own local group's NL anyway.  But a recent situation in
my group has been aided by another RVC who was able to monitor the situation
because he had a CS to our newsletter,  for which I am very grateful.
Allowing for one newsletter from each of the other regions, if the choice is
made wisely, can help facilitate communications between RVCs.

#: 98066 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:48:49
Sb: Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

Ready for a lengthy reply?

<<<1) Since they're talking about redrawing the borders, anyway, reduce the
number of RVCs from 9 to 7, or even 5, at the same time.>>>

        This would really hamper the work of the RVCs.  When the current
borders were set up, it was unclear whether the number of members in the
region or the number of groups would determine the workload of the RVC.  It
has become clear, especially in my region (5), that the number of groups is
the key.  I have 31 groups to work with.  The next largest has 19.  The rest
range from 11 to 16.  Though there are other reasons involved (I still have to
make a living in the real world), this has been a major reason why I have felt
I have not been as effective an RVC as I wanted to be, and I don't think I had
unreasonable expectations.  15 or 16 would be a much more manageable number.
I truly believe we need ten regions, or at least redivide the 9 we have to
make a better balance.  Add to this the other duties we perform on the AMC.
There is no way 7, let alone 5 RVCs, would  make an effective organization.
        There is a point where spending cutbacks hurt the group.  It would be
like removing the trunk lid of your car to save weight, thereby saving gas
when the price of gas goes up.  You actually use more gas because of the drag
effect created by the missing trunk lid.

<<<2) Send RVCs coporate NLs only from their region.>>>

        I abided by this, since 31 is greater than 25.  Actually I only take
30, since I do get my own local group's NL anyway.  But a recent situation in
my group has been aided by another RVC who was able to monitor the situation
because he had a CS to our newsletter,  for which I am very grateful.
Allowing for one newsletter from each of the other regions, if the choice is
made wisely, can help facilitate communications between RVCs.

#: 98067 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:09
Sb: Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<4) Reduce local group editors corporates down to 20.>>>

I have no real problem with this, though you may have a few contracts out on
you for suggesting this, if the AMC adopted it.

<<<5) Reduce the number of AMC meetings to 3 per year.>>>

I disagree.  Most of us need to make the meetings a three day weekend to
ensure we can get done what we need to get done.  And there are times when
some AMC members can't get away from work on Friday, and miss committee
meetings, which are held Friday evening.  In theory it's nice, but messy in
implementation.

<<<6) Eliminate the Past Past Chairman & 2nd Vice Chairman positions.>>>

        I agree with the Past Past Chair, and support the Bylaws amendment to
eliminate it.  I do not agree with the 2nd Vice Chair.  Besides eliminating
another nationally elected rep to the AMC, you also remove a valuable utility
player, who can handle items that do not have to dealt with by the other
national officers, who have plenty to deal with to begin with.  Our current
2nd VC chairs a number of committees, that most of us would not have the time
to chair, and they are critical committees.  I refer you back to the car trunk
analogy.

<<<7) Send membership printouts bi-monthly.>>>

        For once I don't think you go far enough.  How about quarterly
printouts with monthly updates.  Or better yet, lets establish some basic
parameters where we could send a file over Compuserve to each group,  who can
then load their own databases.  If you're familiar with the local group
register on disk, you know that we can then include all the personal data
info, which would allow each group to be much more resourceful in getting its
membership active.

#: 98067 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:09
Sb: Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<4) Reduce local group editors corporates down to 20.>>>

I have no real problem with this, though you may have a few contracts out on
you for suggesting this, if the AMC adopted it.

<<<5) Reduce the number of AMC meetings to 3 per year.>>>

I disagree.  Most of us need to make the meetings a three day weekend to
ensure we can get done what we need to get done.  And there are times when
some AMC members can't get away from work on Friday, and miss committee
meetings, which are held Friday evening.  In theory it's nice, but messy in
implementation.

<<<6) Eliminate the Past Past Chairman & 2nd Vice Chairman positions.>>>

        I agree with the Past Past Chair, and support the Bylaws amendment to
eliminate it.  I do not agree with the 2nd Vice Chair.  Besides eliminating
another nationally elected rep to the AMC, you also remove a valuable utility
player, who can handle items that do not have to dealt with by the other
national officers, who have plenty to deal with to begin with.  Our current
2nd VC chairs a number of committees, that most of us would not have the time
to chair, and they are critical committees.  I refer you back to the car trunk
analogy.

<<<7) Send membership printouts bi-monthly.>>>

        For once I don't think you go far enough.  How about quarterly
printouts with monthly updates.  Or better yet, lets establish some basic
parameters where we could send a file over Compuserve to each group,  who can
then load their own databases.  If you're familiar with the local group
register on disk, you know that we can then include all the personal data
info, which would allow each group to be much more resourceful in getting its
membership active.

#: 98067 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:09
Sb: Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<4) Reduce local group editors corporates down to 20.>>>

I have no real problem with this, though you may have a few contracts out on
you for suggesting this, if the AMC adopted it.

<<<5) Reduce the number of AMC meetings to 3 per year.>>>

I disagree.  Most of us need to make the meetings a three day weekend to
ensure we can get done what we need to get done.  And there are times when
some AMC members can't get away from work on Friday, and miss committee
meetings, which are held Friday evening.  In theory it's nice, but messy in
implementation.

<<<6) Eliminate the Past Past Chairman & 2nd Vice Chairman positions.>>>

        I agree with the Past Past Chair, and support the Bylaws amendment to
eliminate it.  I do not agree with the 2nd Vice Chair.  Besides eliminating
another nationally elected rep to the AMC, you also remove a valuable utility
player, who can handle items that do not have to dealt with by the other
national officers, who have plenty to deal with to begin with.  Our current
2nd VC chairs a number of committees, that most of us would not have the time
to chair, and they are critical committees.  I refer you back to the car trunk
analogy.

<<<7) Send membership printouts bi-monthly.>>>

        For once I don't think you go far enough.  How about quarterly
printouts with monthly updates.  Or better yet, lets establish some basic
parameters where we could send a file over Compuserve to each group,  who can
then load their own databases.  If you're familiar with the local group
register on disk, you know that we can then include all the personal data
info, which would allow each group to be much more resourceful in getting its
membership active.

#: 98068 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:33
Sb: #Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<8) Make folks who want it pay for Interloc.>>>

I really don't feel we should make the membership pay for getting info on the
workings of their own group.  We do have a problem with some members
automatically receiving Interloc because of a position they hold, but don't
want it.  File this under "That DAMN computer system".

<<<9) Have RVCs & appointed national officers vote by proxy at AMC meetings
(maybe have one full meeting at the AG).>>>

        There is a lot of interaction that goes on at AMC meetings, both
during and around.  I myself have changed my position on some items because of
what I have learned from face-to-face discussions.  A future viable option
could be teleconferencing, but the technology does not exist yet, at least in
a form cheaper than what our meetings cost, to consider this at this time.
Add to this the feedback we get from members who attend the meetings.  There
is nothing yet that would truly replace the resources available at an attended
meeting.

<<<11) Eliminate the international section from the Bulletin.

     12) Go back to a volunteer editor for the Bulletin.

     13) Go back to non-glossy paper for the Bulletin.>>>

        Definately a step in the wrong direction.  The Bulletin is our one
truly universal benefit,  but has much room for improvment.  Many national
organizations have rather slick, and very good, magazines, that have become
self-sufficient.  We need to make the Bulletin like that, and we can keep it
distinctly Mensan.  I am holding judgement on the new editor until a few more
issues have been produced.  But I certainly applaud the surveys that were
done.  A lot of the criticism about the surveys seemed to be based on the
"surprising" notion that "you mean most Mensans are not like me?".  (I, for
one, do not think Mensa needs another Bear Berg.  I prefer to glory in my
uniqueness among a unique group of people.)



There is 1 Reply.

#: 98068 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:33
Sb: #Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<8) Make folks who want it pay for Interloc.>>>

I really don't feel we should make the membership pay for getting info on the
workings of their own group.  We do have a problem with some members
automatically receiving Interloc because of a position they hold, but don't
want it.  File this under "That DAMN computer system".

<<<9) Have RVCs & appointed national officers vote by proxy at AMC meetings
(maybe have one full meeting at the AG).>>>

        There is a lot of interaction that goes on at AMC meetings, both
during and around.  I myself have changed my position on some items because of
what I have learned from face-to-face discussions.  A future viable option
could be teleconferencing, but the technology does not exist yet, at least in
a form cheaper than what our meetings cost, to consider this at this time.
Add to this the feedback we get from members who attend the meetings.  There
is nothing yet that would truly replace the resources available at an attended
meeting.

<<<11) Eliminate the international section from the Bulletin.

     12) Go back to a volunteer editor for the Bulletin.

     13) Go back to non-glossy paper for the Bulletin.>>>

        Definately a step in the wrong direction.  The Bulletin is our one
truly universal benefit,  but has much room for improvment.  Many national
organizations have rather slick, and very good, magazines, that have become
self-sufficient.  We need to make the Bulletin like that, and we can keep it
distinctly Mensan.  I am holding judgement on the new editor until a few more
issues have been produced.  But I certainly applaud the surveys that were
done.  A lot of the criticism about the surveys seemed to be based on the
"surprising" notion that "you mean most Mensans are not like me?".  (I, for
one, do not think Mensa needs another Bear Berg.  I prefer to glory in my
uniqueness among a unique group of people.)



There is 1 Reply.

#: 98068 S14/Inside Mensa  [MENSA]
    27-Jan-93  11:49:33
Sb: #Budget cuts
Fm: Fred "Bear" Berg 72757,1030
To: Al Beecy 70641,3133

[more]

<<<8) Make folks who want it pay for Interloc.>>>

I really don't feel we should make the membership pay for getting info on the
workings of their own group.  We do have a problem with some members
automatically receiving Interloc because of a position they hold, but don't
want it.  File this under "That DAMN computer system".

<<<9) Have RVCs & appointed national officers vote by proxy at AMC meetings
(maybe have one full meeting at the AG).>>>

        There is a lot of interaction that goes on at AMC meetings, both
during and around.  I myself have changed my position on some items because of
what I have learned from face-to-face discussions.  A future viable option
could be teleconferencing, but the technology does not exist yet, at least in
a form cheaper than what our meetings cost, to consider this at this time.
Add to this the feedback we get from members who attend the meetings.  There
is nothing yet that would truly replace the resources available at an attended
meeting.

<<<11) Eliminate the international section from the Bulletin.

     12) Go back to a volunteer editor for the Bulletin.

     13) Go back to non-glossy paper for the Bulletin.>>>

        Definately a step in the wrong direction.  The Bulletin is our one
truly universal benefit,  but has much room for improvment.  Many national
organizations have rather slick, and very good, magazines, that have become
self-sufficient.  We need to make the Bulletin like that, and we can keep it
distinctly Mensan.  I am holding judgement on the new editor until a few more
issues have been produced.  But I certainly applaud the surveys that were
done.  A lot of the criticism about the surveys seemed to be based on the
"surprising" notion that "you mean most Mensans are not like me?".  (I, for
one, do not think Mensa needs another Bear Berg.  I prefer to glory in my
uniqueness among a unique group of people.)



There is 1 Reply.