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Re: Organized Chaos
Ray Keefer wrote:
>I think I'll drop the idea of an official organization. It is more
>trouble than I am willing to put into my life.
Well, let's think about
this some more. It doesn't hurt to talk about it. I don't think we
have to incorporate and I don't think we have to set up the
organization so as to be any trouble for anyone. All we need
are people that enjoy our interest/hobby/sport enough to declare it
an organization rather than *JUST* a mailing list.
At most, the simplest of an organizational structure would be enough
to get the ball rolling. Those who want to only participate in a
mailing list discussion can continue to do so without any impact.
Nothing changes for them. Those who want to take further steps, like
business cards or representing the group at some event would be able
to do so with confidence, coordination, and one unified message, look,
and feel.
I brought up the concept of participant vs member, and someone asked
why everyone wouldn't then become a member. Well they could, and
hopefully would, since the difference between them would be minor.
I don't suggest screening potential members and believe we should
still remain an "interest" group at heart. Members would have a
voice in the direction of the organization whereas participants
would simply continue to discuss issues around the design and use
of submersibles through the mailing list and chat room.
As an example, take the recent discussion about including AUV's in
the "scope" section of the web page. Participants of the
mailing list could certainly express their view on the issue as a
discussion topic, but members would ultimately decide what the
formal wording would be.
So what constitutes a member? Just saying you want to be one I
suppose and recording information such as name and address. There
isn't a heck of a lot that we can provide to members anyway since
we are an electronic "organization". But it's a committment of
heart and spirit. As a member, you're saying you are probably
willing to at least *think* about extending your participation
beyond the mailing list. Maybe you'll consider meeting at some
dive convention or represent the group when you go to some museum
or foreign port. Not as a requirement, but because you
want to. This is what gives an organization meaning and worth.
Use Greenpeace, Sierra Club, or any other organization as an
example. Without their structure, they would just be a bunch of
people with a common interest. Which is exactly what they are
WITH their structure. But their structure gives them their
recognition from people and groups outside their own participants.
To outsiders, an organized group provides the perception of
committment and sincerity to your particular interest. And
*THAT* is what gets you the respect from other organizations
(such as museums) which leads to the discounts or special
treatment that some of you are looking for.
A core group of people could attempt to provide directional guidance
for the organization and pass it on to members for
approval/disapproval.
There are many limitations that will prevent us from incurring the
"overhead" that many organizations get bogged down with. We won't
be having formal meetings because we're too spread out around the
globe for that. Members will not have to devote yet-another-night
out for a meeting. We won't be accepting dues or writing checks, so
there are no monetary issues to be concerned about.
Considering our major issues thusfar have been AUV scope inclusion
and business cards, we aren't talking the AMA or NEA here. Just a
laid back organization that has not lost sight of our original desire
to meet others interested in our topic area and share information.
We don't have to give up anything that we currently have. The
mailing list and chat server will always be available to everyone.
But some people are beginning to suggest coordinating trips to
conventions or having a meeting between ourselves. This is a bit
more difficult to do when there is no structure to the group.
Here's a possible organizational concept I'm just throwing out for
discussion purposes:
Title Duties
-------------------------------------------------------
President None that I can think of. They
are a figure head just so we can
say we have an organizational
head of office. No power, no glory,
just a title.
Public Relations Deal with any formal requests for
Officer information and/or interviews about
the organization.
This carries the most responsibility
and should be someone who is well
versed and can talk intelligently
about the technological aspects of
personal submersibles as well as the
human aspects of our organization.
(i.e. why the group is important,
to us at least, and how our group can
benefit others interested in the same
topic.)
When the US NAVY decommissions a sub
and contacts PSUBS.ORG as a donation
candidate, the PRO (Public Relations
Officer) would handle the transfer
of title. (Told you it carries a lot
of responsibility)
Email addressed to INFO@PSUBS.ORG
would be forwarded to this person.
Secretary Don't need one. The mailing list can be
our archive. Official decisions can be
posted on the mailing list.
Treasurer Don't need one. We collect no dues
and write no checks. If someone gives
us a huge donation, THEN we worry about
electing a Treasurer.
WebMaster Status Quo. I nominate Ray Keefer.
He's been doing it, wants to keep doing
it, and there's no impact on anyone if
he continues doing it.
Members Voting privileges on all issues. Dues, $0.
Right to obtain official PSUBS business
cards. Right to use an official PSUBS email
address YOURNAME@PSUBS.ORG
Participants No voting rights, no PSUBS email address,
no business cards. Full access to all
other PSUBS sponsored events including
mailing list, chat, web pages, etc.
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As an alternative, we could do away with the concept of
member/participant and simply declare that signing up for the
discussion group provides you membership.
Regardless of the final makeup, I do believe that some structure
would provide us more benefit than detriment.
Ok, you can start throwing vegetables and eggs now. :) :)
Jon