Recent RA Committees / Commissions

[Jon Seattle]

Here are the recent committees / commissions set up by the RA:

1. Code Reorganization Committee
2. CDS Election Committee
3. Commerce Commission
4. CSD Tour Committee
5. CItizens Commission

Not a single one chaired by a CSDF member, in spite of numerous people with expertise in these areas. A symptom of a system that strongly disadvantages the majority.

1. The CSDF got the largest part of the vote. This makes it a target for other parties who want a share of that vote. Some obviously feel they can gain by discrediting the CSDF.

2. Due to our system being un-representative, CSDF does not have the votes to have a strong influence on policy, never mind defending itself, and so it will be considered fair game.

The ironic thing is that the CSDF has gone out of its way, way out of its way, to provide space for other parties to have their voice heard, often coming out strongly in favor of the rights of smaller factions. This has always been our tradition, and I suspect the CSDF will continue that no matter what.

But a minority government with the power and will to freeze out CSDF participation, that is a bit too much.

[Sudane Erato]

Jon,

You may wish to discuss this problem with Pat, who chaired the RA meetings which endorsed all these commissions, which listened for volunteers to head the commissions, and which eagerly accepted any person willing to both serve on the committees and head the committees.

I recall specifically the case of the Commerce Commission. Despite considerable prompting, MT was the *only* person who volunteered to lead that group.

Sudane........................

[Bromo Ivory]

Here are the recent committees / commissions set up by the RA:

1. Code Reorganization Committee
2. CDS Election Committee
3. Commerce Commission
4. CSD Tour Committee
5. CItizens Commission

Not a single one chaired by a CSDF member, in spite of numerous people with expertise in these areas. A symptom of a system that strongly disadvantages the majority.

Jon - Is this a rally cry for CSDF volunteers? I don't think they have been frozen out. I do see that it was difficult to get ANYONE to do this from the meetings I have attended. I am not sure the chairs were contested in all cases, and Pat was controlling the process and had to push folks to chair them, as they are a lot of work. If Pat had volunteered or Leon, I am sure they would currently be doing one.

As the chair of the defunct Citizenship commission, I can see how some experienced folks would be reluctant to volunteer, as the work is pretty thankless.

[Jon Seattle]

Jon - Is this a rally cry for CSDF volunteers? I don't think they have been frozen out. I do see that it was difficult to get ANYONE to do this from the meetings I have attended. I am not sure the chairs were contested in all cases, and Pat was controlling the process and had to push folks to chair them, as they are a lot of work. If Pat had volunteered or Leon, I am sure they would currently be doing one.

First of all several of these commissions were proposed by CSDF. And Pat, the logical one to chair at least one of these has been under constant attack. Even on the recent Commerce commission, that Pat was interrupted before he could volunteer by an RA member who insisted that it be chaired by MT. Its easy enough to pretend that CSDF members would have been allowed to chair, but every time they do volunteer they get stomped on.

[Bromo Ivory]

Jon - Is this a rally cry for CSDF volunteers? I don't think they have been frozen out. I do see that it was difficult to get ANYONE to do this from the meetings I have attended. I am not sure the chairs were contested in all cases, and Pat was controlling the process and had to push folks to chair them, as they are a lot of work. If Pat had volunteered or Leon, I am sure they would currently be doing one.

First of all several of these commissions were proposed by CSDF. And Pat, the logical one to chair at least one of these has been under constant attack. Even on the recent Commerce commission, that Pat was interrupted before he could volunteer by an RA member who insisted that it be chaired by MT. Its easy enough to pretend that CSDF members would have been allowed to chair, but every time they do volunteer they get stomped on.

Jon -

I find it interesting you choose to respond to my post rather than Sudane's while upon review we are saying substantially the same thing.

CSDF is responsible for 3 of the 5 committees you refer to above. Hardly a "CARE" monopoly. These were done to help craft better legislation. These are good things. I do not see bickering in the RA intimidating Pat to the point of him being unable to chair a committee - it did not intimidate me when I was in the RA and was constantly being accused of being a sock-puppet. My assumption is that Pat and Leon are strong willed enough to be able to do this if they wanted.

Also, I believe Pat & Leon should be capable of speaking for themselves as well. I am not sure of their motivation for non participation, might be good to ask them. Feeling "intimidated" by bickering in the RA is hardly a plausible explanation. I am not sure they are so intimidating by the forums that they are fearful of posting either.

I will agree that these are thankless tasks - and my experience of being more or less under seige in the Citizenship commission during the report writing, plus the "abstain-acceptance" in the RA, even by even you, makes me feel this is more than a little bit "pot calling the kettle black" in that you were hardly supportive of my volunteering.

But either way - I am not sure the other factions who all are volunteering to chair these committees - of which CSDF did propose some - is not freezing CSDF out - Pat and Leon do not strike me as being wilting lillies who have been intimidated to the point of non participation.

[Beathan]

Jon --

The committees are chaired by volunteers. For the most part, RA members are not fighting each other for the added responsibility and time committee service involves. The CSDF members are not serving not because they were excluded, but because they did not wish to serve. Pat has his hands full as LRA. Leon seems to be a reluctant RA member -- and therefore is unlikely to take on added duties.

If you want the CSDF to be more involved in committees, I recommend that you encourage CSDF members to join and participate in the committees. If you want the CSDF to chair committees, I recommend that you lobby your RA representatives to volunteer.

Beathan

[mtlundquist]

First of all several of these commissions were proposed by CSDF. And Pat, the logical one to chair at least one of these has been under constant attack. Even on the recent Commerce commission, that Pat was interrupted before he could volunteer by an RA member who insisted that it be chaired by MT. Its easy enough to pretend that CSDF members would have been allowed to chair, but every time they do volunteer they get stomped on.

From the minutes of the RA meeting in question, I rest my case Jon.

Patroklus Murakami: now, we need a chair any volunteers?
MT Lundquist: me
Beathan Vale: secon MT
Patroklus Murakami: ty MT. are there any other volunteers from the RA members?
Beathan Vale: I'll participate — but not chair
Patroklus Murakami: we have had two co-chairs in the past which worked quite well i recall (justice may feel differently )
Sonja Strom: I might participate, but do not want to chair
Beathan Vale: no — I prefer single chair
MT Lundquist: i'll be happy to chair
MT Lundquist: on my own
MT Lundquist: i have 3 shops in CDS
Patroklus Murakami: i think that means we have MT as the chair and at least two RA members willing to serve on the commission
Beathan Vale: two chairs might be useful in cases on controversy to prevent any side from feeling excluded from the outset --b ut this a parctical mattter, not one of controversy
ThePrincess? Parisi: he bought another today
Sonja Strom: I think the commission is a good idea
Patroklus Murakami: i'm calling an end to the discussion on this item.
Patroklus Murakami: let's move to the votes

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