OSI non meeting minutes
Thomas Benjamin
BENJAMIN at fac.irm.ernet.in
Mon May 26 04:00:00 PDT 1997
Responses to questions and other issues:
QUESTION 1: Who gets to participate? This message is going to
everyone who expressed interest in OSI. Should it continue to go to
the broader audience of interested parties who are playing but not
yet paying?
I think opinions can be sought from all but finance is of concern,
where voting has to be resorted to if any, then only members could
be given the right or privelege.
I did not have the impression that membership was essential. This
communication gives me the impression that membership is important,
more because the OSI needs it than the principle.
QUESTION 2: We have 2 inactive OSI board members. How do we want to
do selection? This question may best handled during the OSI (US)
Annual Meeting at OSonOS. We may want to spend some e-mail time
discussing the role of the board and how selection occurs. (Whoever
comes?) By the way, currently I'd propose that the role of the board
is to hold the space for OSI.
Selection can be by the paying members only. It seems a wonderful
idea to have the board operate in an Open Space manner. It could
operate like one of the related sites. Operationally the board
consists of all payed and valid members; Periods of the year are
year marked for Board time; During the period, open space meeting
take place; Specify guidelines for board decisions and concers;
QUESTION 3: Currently, OSI (US) activities are either through e-mail
or in Seattle. How do we give OSI an active presence elsewhere in the
country? I have been pondering the idea of affiliates or chapters in
many cities where people meet periodically to share stories,
questions and learnings with each other. That would provide a place
for new people and seasoned practitioners to share their questions
and experiences with each other. What are your reactions to this
form?
The OSLIST would be a better forum. I think a list operational the
way the Learning Organisation list operates with Rick Karaash as the
host would have greater scope for dynamic dialogue. I have seen an
announcement of OSI on that list and so I am sure the format is
familiar to get an idea of what I mean.
QUESTION 4: When I put the policy question on OSI membership in
return for service out, the responses were profound and varied.
Simplistically, of the 13 responses, there were approximately 3 who
said yes, fair trade makes sense and 8 who said no.
I think membership could follow the cooperative principle. Members
benefit from services used in proportional manner rather than by
membership. Token membership of any amount may be a could idea as
suggested by you below.
Based upon these responses, I propose that membership is membership
paid for with money a donation of whatever a person can afford, even
if that's less that $70.00. What do you think?
QUESTION 5: I am beginning to realize that as a person whose name is
given out when people want help in doing OS, that I am in a position
to make referrals that could affect people's pocket books. What kind
of stand do we want to take on requests for facilitation support made
to OSI? This has not happened much yet, but I want us to anticipate a
clean way to handle it with the hope that we have such a wonderful
problem!
If this OSI is to be a community of people with likemindedness, then
members can benefit from licensed professionals. Both Client and
Professional being members. Member being any one who has paid $ 1 to
$ 70. The client pays a service fee as prescribed. The service fee
can be lower for members than non members.(I am too new to make
feasible suggestions, please take it for what it is worth).
I hope this has been useful. $70 is quite steep for me. It works out
to Rs 2500/- plus. I wonder if Institutions can be members rather
than individuals. Books and video can be bought for the library.
Designated individuals could be the link persons for
operationalising the community.
With best wishes,
Thomas P Benjamin
benjamin at fac.irm.ernet.in
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