Re: [Linux-aus] Linux Australia AGM Held

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

On Sun, Feb 02, 2003 at 12:09:23AM +0800, Bret Busby wrote:
> On Sun, 2 Feb 2003, Anand Kumria wrote:
> 
> > 
> > > , 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.
> > 
> 
> Why not?
> 
> Whilst the feral parliament is an unrepresentative swill, at 
> least someone, at some time, tried to ensure that all the states and 
> territories were represented in the parliament.
> 
> It depends on whether you want Linux Australia to be simply Linux NSW, 
> which it basically is, given the makeup of the committee, and given that 
> the ACT is contained in NSW.
> 
> > 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.
> > 
> 
> It will be most unfortunate, if Linux NSW takes suggestions as 
> complaints, and dismisses them as it cannot cope with constructive 
> suggestions.

Wow a constructive complaint and abuse! Have you thought about visiting
Donald Randall and throwing water at him and then asking to him to
consider listening to what you have to say?

I'd hope that that kind of action is beneath you, yet that is
essentially what you've done online.

> bigoted - "obstinately and blindly attached to some creed, opinion or 
> party, and intolerant of others"
> - Shorter Oxford Dictionary.
>
> 
> Let us hope that Linux NSW does not retain that bigotry, and, instead 
> becomes Linux Australia, with regional representation, AND with the 
> ability to accept and consider constructive suggestions.

I think first you should examine your behaviour and see if it would be
appropriate in the real world. It wasn't. No one *had* to respond to
you, you don't represent all of WA nor any substantial portion of
Armidale.

Let's hope you are not always such an affront[1] in real life. 


[snip - some valid concerns; which I will address in a followup email]

> Perhaps, you might have taken the trouble, to have communicated a bit 
> better, what was going on, rather than just whinging about the effects 
> of your lack of communication.

Please keep in mind it was you whinging at the lack of representatives
from various locations. I wasn't. 

[snip - conspiracy theory]

> > > 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.
> 
> NSW/ACT has control. 

Yes, NSW/WA have control. Yes, NSW/VIC have control. Yes WA/VIC/ACT have
control. Moreover the members have control.

> Look at the numbers, since you raise the point of 
> majorities. That was already addressed in my first email about the 
> situation. Five out of seven, to me, is a significant majority. I 
> believe that the usual term for such a majority (it may be two-thirds, 
> or three quarters, depending on a specific constitution), is a Special 
> majority, which can have special status, such as the authority to 
> rescind previous resolutions, etc.

Check the constitution. You'll find no such thing exists aside from in
your mind.

> 
> > 
> > speaking for myself,
> > Anand
> > 
> > 
> 
> Yeah, sure.
> 

Yes, sure. Unless you are also speaking for Anne as well as yourself.
And what about Clear Solution, WALLETS and the Cornish Association of
Western Australia. We can assume you are also speaking on all their
behalf as well.

> And self-appointed "Immediate Past President, if previous information 

No, I'm not. That would be my suggestion to the current committee to
think about next year. Which would it would be Pia; if and only if such
a modification of the consititution was passed.

> is correct, about you being the immediate previous president, and, as 
> an office-bearer of the organisation, which office is usually a member 
> of the Executive of an organisation, which is of higher authority than 
> a committee..

And the current physical address of Linux Australia. Conspiracy! Help!
Police!

> I strongly suggest that, if the committee really wants the organisation 
> to progress and grow, the committee needs to start communicating with 
> people outside the committee, and, the committee needs to accept 
> constructive suggestions, and, to show that it is willing to listen to, 

As I pointed out, if you walked up to someone and threw water in their
face in real life, they wouldn't be inclined to listen to you.

You seem to believe the moral equivalent is OK online and moreover that
you are entitled to be listened too. You aren't. I'll respond to some of
the valid points you raise later -- I hope tomorrow but us conspiracists
have to go to a lot of meetings so it could be later.

> But, then again, maybe, it just wants to stay as Linux NSW, with its 
> head in the ashes.

Yes! That's right! How did you guess! After being in existance for three
years with a closed membership roster and completely arbitary decision
making process; opening up the whole thing will allow us to maintain our
paroachicalism and ignorance!

The above is irony in case you had not realised.

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