Re: [Linux-aus] Linux Australia AGM Held

[Anand Kumria <wildfire@progsoc.uts.edu.au>]

On Fri, Jan 31, 2003 at 05:22:56PM +0800, Bret Busby wrote:
> 
> Without knowing exactly the purpose, membership, or constitution of 
> Linux Australia

... perhaps you could look over 
<URL: http://www.linux.org.au/org/charter.phtml> then so you can see
what the point of LA is.

> , from the makeup of the committee, if NSW/ACT 
> representation is removed, there are only two members left (of the 
> seven); Victoria and WA, in terms of states/territories.
> 
> Perhaps, the new committee could review the constitution, in terms 
> of themakeup of the committee, in terms of one representative position 
> for each state/territory, so as to balance the representation.

Why? Linux Australia isn't a representative body. Most other national
bodies (e.g. AUUG) seem to run fine without geographical constraints in
their constitiution.

I must say it is rather annoying that this complaint is coming from a
West Australian. 50% of the attendees at Linux.Conf.Au were locals. From
the attendence records I saw, only about 30% of the people at the AGM were
locals.

If I was going to make modifications -- and we probably are, so now is a
reasonable place to discuss pros' and cons' -- you'd probably want
something which ensures some degree of continuity.

Something like what student clubs have (IPP: Immediate Past President)
or similiar.

> It is not that I have anything against any of the committee members - I 
> hardly know them - but to me, my suggestion makes it more 
> representative of the Australian federation, and therefore, it would 
> make Linux Australia a more representative body, and therefore, its 
> actions would be more likely to involve the interests of the whole of 
> the country.

Well, as you point out there are people from various states; but no one
particular state has a majority in the committee. That should stop your
immediate concern about one state or the other "taking over" the running
of things.

In the past (since formation actually), NSW has always held a majority
of positions on the committee. I don't think the previous committee have
been tilted in favour of any particular state; in fact I think you'll
find most of us have been at pains to ensure that that perception never
arose.

speaking for myself,
Anand

-- 
 `` We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think.
 When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never
 leaves. '' -- Buddha, The Dhammapada