PLUG governance, etc.

[Bob Elzer]

Thanks for the info Alan, maybe we could create a web page on the server
with the history of PLUG Az with some of this info. 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-discuss-bounces at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us 
> [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On 
> Behalf Of Alan Dayley
> Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 11:35 PM
> To: Main PLUG discussion list
> Subject: PLUG governance, etc.
> 
> Another thread about the sonoran penguin and making a theme 
> for the website surfaced some discussion about the governance 
> of PLUG.  I'd like to enlighten that a little bit.
> 
> The Steering Committee
> ---------------------------
> PLUG has a Steering Committee, members in no particular order:
> 
> - Hans, a.k.a. der.hans (plug at lufthans.com) is Committee 
> Chair because we decided that he was.
> 
> - Brian Cluff (brian at snaptek.com) still baby sits the server 
> from time to time and was host of the East Side Meeting for 
> many years.
> 
> - Alexander Henry (alexanderhenry at cox.net) who, years ago, 
> decided we needed Install Fest on a monthly basis, found a 
> location and makes sure it happens.
> 
> - Joseph Sinclair (plug-discussion at stcaz.net) a very smart 
> developer and good guy who fills in the gaps and provides 
> great programming knowledge along with organizational skill.
> 
> - Me, who has historically mastered the web site and hosted 
> the Developer Meeting for 6 or so years.
> 
> There was one other who moved from Arizona some time back.  
> There have been others in the past who we thank.
> 
> Other Volunteers
> ---------------------------
> There are others who help and do things, like Lisa, because 
> they want to.  Nothing in PLUG could happen without people like them.
> 
> Authority
> ---------------------------
> The authority of the committee is perhaps derived, as Joshua 
> pointed out, by owning the domain name and having root 
> password on the server.
>  There is no other authority structure.  No bylaws or written rules.
> The group depends on the Steering Committee and defers to 
> them to run the relatively small day-to-day issues and make 
> meetings happen.  If the group or a large part of the group 
> were to want to take over or fork, what's to stop them?  Nothing.
> 
> Money
> ---------------------------
> PLUG has no legal entity to handle money.  There isn't any.
> 
> Events and Work
> ---------------------------
> PLUG has events and does any work because someone paid for 
> it, worked it, promoted it.  Or, nothing happens.
> 
> My Comments
> ---------------------------
> Over the years I have researched and email or IRC interviewed 
> participants of other LUGs.  I made a special point to seek 
> out LUGs that had problems resulting in dissolution or 
> splits.  The root cause of every LUG that experienced 
> significant problems was power or money.
>  No surprise, I suppose.  This is big reason why PLUG has not 
> gone the direction of formal structure and donations.  It 
> mostly avoids such problems.
> 
> It also blocks some good things.
> 
> Where there is passion, things happen.  Where there is 
> passion, disagreements happen.  Any organization that wants 
> to make things happen needs passion but must survive the 
> conflicts that arise.  How
> does one create such an organization without the down sides?   You
> can't.  The down sides will happen so many people turn to 
> rules and by-laws, i.e. contracts, to minimize the down 
> sides.  I suppose it works for the most part or people would 
> come up with new structures with which to do it.  There are 
> new ways to do these things but PLUG may not be able to handle it.
> 
> I am beginning to accept that PLUG will not grow and thrive 
> without a more formal structure and maybe even money.  Scary 
> thought to me, knowing the history of other LUGs and 
> volunteer groups.  At the same time, the risk may be worth it 
> for the gains that could be made.
> 
> The Points
> ---------------------------
> My point is that PLUG is what the members make of it.  The 
> Steering Committee has no legal means of controlling the 
> group beyond persuasion and respect, if given.  So, if anyone 
> want to suggest a change, create something, push an agenda, 
> please do.  In an open and transparent manner.
> 
> If anyone thinks the Steering Committee is out of line, doing 
> wrong, whatever, please speak up.
> 
> Right now PLUG is in a low passion mood, has been for a long time.
> (Except maybe politics!)  If you have a passion for something 
> Linux/FS/OSS related, speak up.  Rather that then we just 
> plod along, enjoying our Freedom only amongst ourselves.
> 
> Alan
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