<snip>
Or you could place all the members names/handles on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and throw them up in the air.  Whoever sticks to the ceiling is stuck with the job.
</snip>

What kind of hat do you propose to use?

Plus, I feel that just one such toss leaves too much to chance.  I believe that we should have everyone at said meeting perform such a hat toss.  The results of each hat toss must be tabulated.  Only when all hat toss events in consecutive order have the same outcome will we know the true Den Mother of the LUG!  The Great Bird of the Galaxy ordains it!!!!111!


Seriously, the mail list seems to work.  The IRC channel works.  We kinda-sorta-maybe know where people are going to be for meetings (not that I've been to many lately.).   What is the problem that this increased organization is going to solve?  Are we planning to wield some political power in the future?  Are we going to go on field trips and need contact people?  Are we creating an organization so that people can start putting "Kansas City LUG" on resumes?

I'm all for cool events for tech stuff.  I don't know about wielding political power or holding GNU putschen for "The Greater Freedom".  I think that having multiple ways of communicating for the LUG is cool, and I think that a separation of power is important for each.  That way people don't get pissy and take the whole system down.

 I would observe that we are having enough problems determining whether or not organization is good and needed.  I don't know if we could even get together on goals and events after that!

Are we talking about a sea change here?  Or are we just whining that we don't have "organization" for organization's sake?  Is lack of organization cited that much by people leave the group?

I'll put two questions out there for the hell of it.  Maybe it'll help dialog.  Maybe it'll help flameage.


Billy Crook:

I know that trying to agree on any goals before talking about organization methodology would be putting the cart before the horse, but if you feel strongly about getting this whole thing up and running, it might be nice to have a sort of platform to go with, some assorted goals/events that might be cool/nice/important.  This might motivate people to understand why organization is important to you.

Brian:

I think that your comment about having "core members", those already administrating the listserv/website, ignoring any other type of organization is important.  What would keep this from happening?  If such a sea change takes place in the LUG, where would they fit in the structure?  Would you say that said members are opposed to further organization?

I plan on putting my foot in my mouth real soon.

Tim