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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