Plug - Who is it?

[Gilbert T. Gutierrez, Jr.]

I have been a lurker and attendee of meetings on and off since the mid 
90s. I attended my once every several years meeting 2 months ago. Before 
you read this whole message, know that I am not trying to put anyone out 
or agitate in any manner.

I have learned a bit about the group with these discussions which were 
launched after a message from Lisa. Some members do not get it in my 
book. And from looking at one of the comments, I think der.hans bounced 
her from the email list (I think her comments were getting redundant and 
that is I guess in his power). I met Lisa once, probably 10 years ago at 
a function hosted at a site on 12th St and Northern. My impression was 
that she was nice and knew her stuff. I am not to say if she is right or 
wrong with her complaints, but I see no way for her to bring her 
complaints to the leadership of the group. A public message list I 
believe is the wrong way to go but really one of the only avenues 
through the website.

I know nothing of how the group functions or who the leadership is. I 
can obviously guess and probably guess correctly because of how long I 
have been on the list. This group is a volunteer group and not everyone 
will participate and usually only a handful of people will want to take 
the bull by the horns and lead. However, leadership information should 
be posted on the website if you want to call this a group. Examples of 
things that would be helpful...

1. List of names of the leadership committee
2. A path for members to suggest directions for the group to the committee
3. A path for members to send complaints to the group for the committee 
to review and address as necessary
4. Minutes for any committee meetings
5. A way to nominate people to be on the committee
6. An election cycle to populate the committee

 From looking at the posts on the mailing list and the website, the 
group comes across as a hobby site of 1 or 2 people (old boys club) who 
manage every meeting and what goes on. That is fine by me, but if the 
group wishes to be able to address some of the concerns that were 
mentioned in the messages over the last couple days, they need to 
publish a structure to abide by. I don't see how the group could 
consider something like an 801c3 filing without that structure. It is 
like putting a cart in front of a horse.

I appriciate this group, specifically the mailing list which has 
provided me help in the past and allowed me to help others. I want to 
see this group get better and meet the needs of its members and that is 
why I provided my 2 cents.

Thanks,
Gilbert T. Gutierrez, Jr.
Phoenix Internet
https://www.facebook.com/gilljr