[Date Prev][Date Next] [Chronological] [Thread] [Top]

Re: (erielack) My $.02 worth concerning the recent ELHS rant

On Sat, 4 Dec 2004, Michael Dye wrote:

> I have, with much trepidation, been following the recent 'discussion' 
> concerning the ELHS. Again, there are the usual calls for action and demands 
> for services/information/whatever. There are the usual stories: 'My 
> sister's, brother's, cousin's next door neighbor knocked on the door of one 
> of the board members, at 2AM, to ask a question and was rudely turned away.' 
> Frankly, it again seems to be, Much ado about nothing.

Michael,

First and second person accounts of being snubbed/brushed off/belittled by
"the powers that be" are nothing to be sarcastic about and should be taken
very seriously. We don't want folks telling people not to bother with us
because we're run by people who don't treat others well.

Minimizing valid concerns is one of the perceived problems which we face
today, it appears to be a repetive theme within our society. I believe it is
one of the reasons so many folks have "voted with their feet" in recent years.

> Now, I may just be some dumb Midwesterner, and I may not have the 
> qualifications that many seem to love to trot out about themselves, when 
> they come across all self-rightious. However, as I sit on the Board of 
> Directors of an all-volunteer (Just like the ELHS) 501-C3 charity, I believe 
> that I do have a certain insight. The Board, is not omniscient. They don't 
> know what problems you perceive. They are not omnipotent. They just can't 
> wave their hands and set things up to please everyone. They are NOT at your 
> beck and call. They have lives and personal concerns! Get over yourself!

One of the problems has been ignoring perceptions which have been plainly
expressed.

Sure people are busy, but if we're nothing more than magazine subscribers,
should we be told up front that that's all we are? If all the board members
are too busy to deal with regular members then maybe we should have a few more
board members to lighten the load.

I have heard several times over the past couple of years how busy the board
is, maybe a little more help is in order?

> This organization has existed for quite awhile, and has done quite well. The 
> archives exists, rather than being trashed or squirrelled away in everyone's 
> file cabinets. There are excellent and accurate models and books being made 
> available. The dues are not priced out of reach and there is a fairly decent 
> return for the price: The Diamond and The Extra Board are very well done. 
> Not at all bad for a VOLUNTEER organization.

The archive exists, but as what price for what utility? What is the percentage
of membership which has ever benefitted from the archive? It's really a sore
point with me because it has been so expensive and is still of little use to
the general membership. I know it takes time and money to do anything with it,
but tell me, exactly how many photos or documents from the archive are
available to members on our website? How many will be next year? In five
years? Is there any plan for members to ever have better access than
physically going to the U of A or waiting many weeks or months for someone to
maybe check something there and copy it for an additional fee?

$30 per year is beginning to approach out of reach for a lot of people,
especially those who are interested in more railroads than just the EL and
the below 30 crowd who don't have great jobs. Once again, do we really only
want to be magazine subscribers? I read all the articles in the Diamond even
though a most of them aren't about my interests. Would I buy the Diamond at a
newstand if I weren't a member and just flipped through it quick? Maybe one
per year, certainly not 4. They just don't have enough content which
interests me.

> Is it perfect? No, but then again, ARE YOU?

I wasn't aware that anyone was demanding perfection?

The sarcasm and bomb throwing is a big part of what keeps a lot of the
membership from participating in the discussions. It makes them uncomfortable
so they hit the delete key and remain unheard. It does a disservice to all of
us.

It is very sad that we can't have reasonable discussions about important
issues without politics and egos continually obscuring or burying the facts.

Henry

J. Henry Priebe Jr.    Blue Moon Internet Corp Network Administrator
www.bluemoon.net       Internet Access & Web Hosting
www.railfan.net        Railfan Network Services

------------------------------