Re: [Linux-aus] State representation on the board: vision for LA

[Paul Shirren <shirro@shirro.com>]

Living outside a capital city, and closer to NSW and Vic than 
Adelaide, I can see some weaknesses to the state rep argument. A 
rep in the capital 2.5 hrs away has less utility from my POV 
than an LA that is open and accessable via internet.

The idea that you have to cosy up to some local rep in real life 
to get the low down on LA activities seems more elitist and 
exclusionary to me than an LA which is run openly and which 
takes an active role communicating with its membership.

It seems to me that the desire for a local rep is partly
1 a serious desire for better representation
2 parochialism
3 issues with communication with the past and present LA

No argument with point 1. I just don't think it is a big deal 
personally. Experience, contributions, personality and platform 
are much more important than state of origin IMO.

I dismiss 2 outright. I am sick of state vs state stupidity. 
Every state has something different to contribute and its own 
proud achievements.

LA could perhaps lift its game on point 3, communication with 
membership. Accurate and easily accessable minutes, regular 
announcements to the list etc. As for getting matters raised 
with LA I am not sure a local member is going to be any more 
accessable or effective than emailing committee at linux.org.au.