From: killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen)
Newsgroups: comp.org.decus
Subject: Re: EXECUTION of DECUS Standards
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:36:28 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: SPC Community Access System

In article <1992Dec14.151045@mccall.com>, tp@mccall.com (Terry Poot) writes:
>>I have no 
>>turf to defend, as I have notified the groups that I am involved with in 
>>DECUS, that I am lowering my participation in DECUS. My statements are intended
>>>to show that there are ways to do things and ways to not do things... this is
>>>not the way to accomplish anything. If you want to make changes in DECUS, then
>>>get involved and represent those people that want change. Standing around and
>>>hurling flame-bait is unproductive and damaging to the chapter.
> 
> It is a pity that the leadership is not interested in the opinions of the
> membership. Perhaps the change we ought to be trying to make is in who gets to
> vote for the people that do make the decisions. You say if we want our opinion
> to count, we have to become leadership. DECUS isn't interested in the opinions
> of the consumers of it products (to use a different terminology you employed),
> only the producers. What's wrong with this picture?

Terry most of upper level DECUS leadership has become very interested in input
from the customer.  In fact we have some very solid organized research efforts
going on right now.  However if we are going to be honest most of the postings
on this subject have been from DECUS Leaders/insiders trying to incite a riot
to reverse a decision they did not agree with.  Very little has been heard
from the membership/customer.  Prior to yours - the one membership type
posting was so vitriolic, so full of obscenities, and so much a general knee
jerk attack that did not relate to the issue at hand IMHO I am surprised
anyone responded to it.  Yes we are listening - but there are many ways to
listen.  Terry I really do feel we are begining to truly listen but it is
mainly through customer research projects and not electronic media.  If we
want to take a shot at us do it on the basis of not being very productive at
electronic _dialog_.  Sure there are a few Marg, Clyde, and myself who
routinely engage in electronic dialog but the majority of the BOD and MC still
do not.  We are listening - I wish we did a better job of discussing.  I will
know that day has arrived when we are bringing issues to these forums rather
than reacting to them. 

BTW - Yes almost all of DECUS's management structure is elected by leadership.
However the final authority really is in the BOD which is elected by the
membership i.e. the folks elected by the membership get to overrule the folks
elected by the leadership.  Does it happen - no not really mainly because the
1000 or so leaders really aren't that far out of the main stream with the
10,000 or so active members.  If something flys with the leadership it is most
likely is reflective of what will fly with the active membership. 

-- 
Jeff Killeen - DECUS U.S. Chapter NLC Chair | Email:killeen@eisner.decus.org

DECUS is for folks who are responsible for delivering computing technology.
The NLC is the national council for DECUS's Local User Groups - come join us!