[KLUG Members] KLUG Elections Coming Up Very Soon!

[Robert G. Brown]

As you may have read in the meeting minutes, the very next meeting is
our annual election, where we select new officers for the coming year.

There have been a few announcements about this, but not much discussion,
and very little in the way of volunteerism. We have had one new candidate
for Chairman come forward, and our current chairman has decided not to stand 
for election again.

However, we have only one nominee for each position. The outcome of these 
election is thus fairly clear, barring some last-minute change of heart by
someone, or a "write-in" campaign.

As a member of the election committe, and as a founder, past chairman, and 
generally having been involved in organization KLUG since 1997, this strikes
me as ironic. I'd like to tell you why...

As Linux users, developers, and adminsistrators, we accept and live by some 
values, notably free choice, continual improvement, volunteerism, and the
spirit of trying something new. We are interested in change, getting things
to work, and an atmosphere of growth. The irony here is that, while we might
apply these values to our computer systems, networks, and applications, We
do not seem to be applying that to our own organization.

KLUG has fostered a great atmosphere for indivdual growth and education. 
While I have learned a good deal through KLUG, my proudest times have been 
seeing others come to our group, often knowing little or nothing, asking 
questions, often woth increasing intelligence and acumen, and ultimately
becoming able to provide answers for others.

But KLUG has provided more than that. It is a platform for people to learn 
other skills as well, like public speaking and presentation, civil advocacy 
(a topic I'll be talking about on Tuesday, and conducting a discssion on 
afterwards), as well as organizing and running a group... KLUG itself!
As effective and fertile a platform as KLUG has been in providing technical
knowledge, it has also been a very effective place to learn and practice 
some important skills that can be used anywhere in life. These skills are,
over the long haul, are at least as important than the technology itself.

In light of this, I find it hard to beleive that we simply want to accept 
the team that has been in place for some time, except for the one person
that wants to step down. Does no one else even want to try to occupy these
positions? Are there no other people who want to walk the walk of guiding
the group? Are we all content to merely talk the talk of choice?

Please don't get me wrong, the team we've had in place has been healthy
for the group as a whole. I'm part of that team, and KLUG has grown under
its collective guidance and effort. However, as a member of the election
commitee, it is my duty to make sure that we all understand what is going
on... elections are not only a way to renew the leadership of the group, but 
they are YOUR way to participate in the group, as well. Some people equate
standing for a postion as an actof confrontation; there is no need for this
to be so. By opposing someone in an election I do not claim the other fellow 
will do a BAD job, I can stand on my own merits, with my own ideas. May the
best ideas and choice win! It is best for us all to have choices.

While there are 4 positions up for election, there are a number of other 
positions that are also described on our website (URL below), and we can 
always use help in these areas as well. In addition, our new Chairman may
wish to inject fresh new volnteers into our group, and giving him this option
is also an important way to participate.

KLUG thrives when we continue to involve new people and new positions, more 
participation in our active governance and volunteer work makes a lighter load 
for everyone.

OK, I've written enough, perhaps too much, about this issue. I urge each of
you who reads the to see:

   http://www.kalamazoo.org/organize

Clicoking on the position name will take you to a description of the duties
involved.

I welcome more candidates, more people who are ready to walk the walk.

See you on Tuesday!

							Regards,
							---> RGB <---