 |
 |
Error during command authentication.
Error - unable to initiate communication with LISTSERV (errno=10061, phase=CONNECT, target=127.0.0.1:2306). The server is probably not started.
Hi Kay: I've been trying to formulate an opinion about this matter to post on ARLIS-L and have little or no time to do the necessary reading of all the documents and thinking about it. You have expressed the issues so clearly--as did Genie Candau (so glad to hear from Genie after all these years--she is apparently still active in the chapter even though she has not been attending the national conference since she retired) and Judy Hoffberg. I personally think that all chapter members should pay for national membership. (The retired/unemployed membership category is only $45.) ARLIS/NA is a national organization and the dues for other national organizations are generally a lot higher. ARLIS/NA is the body, the heart, of the organization. But the chapters are the arms and legs, the everyday experience of the organization, and the vehicle through which one usually begins to be active as an officer or in project work. Both are essential. It is good to be having this discussion very intensively now, even though it is a topic that has been around for many years. But as the options have been laid out by headquarters, I don't believe that the chapters have enough information to make an informed decision and I don't believe that they should be forced to without knowing exactly what the consequences will be, both for signing now or not signing now. Back to the drawing board, Executive Board. This is a hard one and all chapters need to be heard from--and listened to. Joan Benedetti ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kay Teel" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 8:51 AM Subject: Re: ARLIS/NA Chapter Affiliation >I have had the chance to read the documents. My sketchy thoughts are: > > * It is premature and untenable to ask the chapters to sign an agreement > that will change the way chapter dues are collected when the details are > not "fleshed out" -- would you sign an agreement with a financial > institution that can't tell you how you'll receive your money? > > * The idea that all chapter dues would be collected by HQ and dispersed > back to the chapters seems in logical conflict with the agreement's > assertion that chapters are independent contractors. How can an entity > financially dependent upon the Society be "independent"? > > * Nothing in the agreement states what ARLIS/NA will do for its chapters, > and because of that, I found myself highly skeptical of Elizabeth Clarke's > statement that "The ARLIS/NA Executive Board and the ARLIS/NA Head > Quarters are committed to supporting the ongoing success of each chapter." > > * We do not know what the ramifications will be if a chapter does not sign > the agreement -- yet another reason why I feel it is premature for the > chapters to be asked to do this. > > * A big question in my mind is whether this or any other chapter would or > could continue on its own if ARLIS/NA dissolves the Society-chapter > relationship if a chapter doesn't sign the agreement. (Not that we even > know this would happen!) > > * I get the feeling that the Board, despite leaning on its chapters to > host conferences, thinks the chapters are unimportant and do not > contribute to the health of the Society as a whole. I couldn't disagree > more. I would never in a million years have become more active in NA had I > not become active in my first local chapter. But despite the enthusiasm, > interest, and welcoming nature of even the most vital chapter, I'm not > sure if they can survive without some affiliation "to hang our hat on" as > it were. > > * I get a lot out of NA and am active on a NA committee. I don't dislike > or have problems with the Society itself. But I think this chapter > agreement is being pushed through quickly, without a lot of information to > put it into context, and I am cynical enough to wonder why the rush and > why the reluctance to explain. > > In my heart, I would vote for the chapter not to sign this agreement > because we simply have not been given either a voice or enough information > to make an informed decision. However, I fear the consequences of not > signing, and *if* the choice is between signing or dissolving the chapter, > I would rather sign than lose the chapter. > > Kay Teel > [log in to unmask] > > __________________________________________________________________ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org/join.html Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask]