Theos-Talk Archives (January 2009 Message tt00412)

BAH!  All they need do is hook up a camera and broadcast it on the  internet 
to the members.
 
Chuck the Heretic
 
 
In a message dated 1/16/2009 12:46:09 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
mkr777@gmail.com writes:

 
 
 
Opening up the meeting of governing bodies such as the GC and  National
Boards of TS, can be the first step for not only demonstrating but  also
implementing transparency which is much needed today after the events  we
witnessed last year. In the recent statement posted on Internet, the  TSA
President states:

"The number of observers does have to be  limited, yet if we are to be a
representative democracy, there should be  some inherent fairness in
determining who may be allowed to attend our  proceedings.d

Why? The thought of limiting the number of  observers, is not good. There
should not be any limit. I believe, that any  member who is uptodate with the
dues should be allowed to attend the  meetings as observers. If logistics of
space is an issue, the meeting can  be moved to a larger venue.

In the USA. the logistics of open meetings  has been worked out. In public
bodies, the procedure is simple, at least in  Texas. All meetings of public
officials have to be open by law under the  penalty of criminal prosecution.
Executive sessions are allowed for  discussing litigation issues, legal
advise, and personnel evaluation. Even  for executive sessions, the subject
must be clearly specified so that  public knows what issues are discussed.
Also all public meetings have a  slot of time allotted at the beginning of
the session for public to address  any issue. Anyone can sign up before the
meeting to address the meeting.  Each is allowed three minutes time. The
person who wants to speak does not  even have to disclose what he/she wants
to talk about. There is also no  limit on the number of people who can speak
up. If 100 people sign up, 300  minutes will be taken up for this slot. That
is the cost of transparency.  After this initial time slot, the observers
cannot participate in the  discussions. By the way, I have personally
appeared before local boards and  talked about several issues in the 3 minute
time slot. So I have seen it  work well.

I hope, TSA will be the trailblazer in opening up their  Board Meetings to
members who are uptodate on their dues. Then it can be  adopted by other
Sections around the world and finally the GC. This is a  radical change for
the leaders who are used to conduct business behind  closed doors. The
transparency generated by the change, will go a long way  to rebuild the
trust the leaders have lost due to the events during the  past year.

Let us all keep tuned and hope for the  best.

MKR

THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN  TRUTH

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