🚀 go-pugleaf

Werner@cs.utexas.edu writes:
 
> was this message public? If so, I haven't seen it.
 
It was not a single message and not posted to a public newsgroup.
There have been numerous messages exchanged between representatives
of EFF-National, EFF-Austin, the steering committee for the
meeting, and the various potential affiliates.
 
> 
> If it was private, then it is as improper to suggest "bad 
> motives" in everyone who may be suggesting or supporting Atlanta
> as the meeting site, as it would be to suggest "an Austin
> power-play" just because someone here sounded as "that idea" 
> might be a motivating factor...
 
Regarding privacy, see above. Privacy is not an issue. We are 
reporting an ongoing discussion which has relevance for EFF-Austin
members. The purpose of the report was to keep our members
informed.
 
To suggest "bad motives" would be simplistic. Nothing in my message
was meant to imply "bad" anything. We were primarily concerned
a distortion and misunderstanding of our offer.
 
> Calmer heads will prevail, I hope ...
 
For sure.
 
> PS: soooo... is there a public forum where the pros-and-cons for
> the   sites under consideration are (were?) discussed?
 
Only two sites were proposed. The EFF-National board felt that
Atlanta was ideal, I think because, as an airline hub, it's
easily reached by air, and it's a fairly central location.
Georgia Tech had agreed to help organize the event. We proposed
Austin because we felt that our membership could easily provide
infrastructure for the meeting, and it was this suggestion that
was misunderstood. I think that this has all been resolved now,
and that the meeting will be in Atlanta.
 
> All "meetings" of "public organizations" ought to be held "in
> public". Only EXTRAORDINARY circumstances should lead to sessions
> behind closed   doors; it IS acceptable to limit the right of the
> general public to   speak during executive meetings, but any
> meetings behind closed doors, and you better show me "good
> reasons"...
 
I think we all share an abhorrence for "backroom politics";
it's important to discern the difference between that and a
necessary limitation on participation in order to get things
done. This meeting is not secret, it will be fully reported,
and each chapter's representatives can carry issues suggested
by the membership.
 
The meeting will involve representatives from the leadership of
EFF-National, EFF-Austin, and several potential affiliates. If
EFF-Austin's members want to suggest items for the agenda, you
can let me know here, or send me email. At this week's meeting
of the Board of Directors, there'll be discussion of our chapter's
representation at the meeting. That discussion will be reflected
in the minutes of the board meeting, which are posted to this
newsgroup for your information and comment.