Re: -OPEN MEETINGS and password protected records

[Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com>]

As public relations chair, I have been giving some some thought to the recent
posts. I have reached no conclusions, but wish to share some of my concerns so
that others may think about solutions.

It is obvious that in our country we value open and free discussions and the
general public is quick to condemn any forum that they perceive as being
otherwise. If one looks at past Iris forums there have often been more then
contentious discussions. Then the forum, or the people in it, are denounced
for airing their complaints. It seems one is often damned for being to closed
then damned for being too open.

Board meetings are conducted within Robertbs Rules of Order and are
moderated by the president. The AIS discussion forum is not moderated by any
rules to my knowledge.

Regardless of who may make a comment, whether or not they are even directors,
ideas presented are often attributed by others to the entire board, fairly or
unfairly.

I much prefer being able to brainstorm about a subject in an e-mail forum. It
allows for more considered remarks, and also time to check facts and gather
information. Sometimes at board meetings one has the feeling of something
being pushed through, or pushed out, without sufficient judgment because of
time constraints.

But writing sometimes comes across with a different tone then the writer
expected. Arguments pro and con may seem divisive, when only simply
disagreement in the best course of action.

Maybe I am too philosophical and tend to see problems with any course of
action. I like to think I am just careful and try to foresee problems before
they occur. I do favor as open a decision making process as is possible since
we are acting for everyone in the society. But I realize that not everyone
will agree with any action taken.  --Bob Pries

----- Original Message -----
From: "John I Jones" <jijones@usjoneses.com>
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 1:34:37 AM (GMT-0500) America/New_York
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss]-OPEN MEETINGS and password protected records

The archives for AISDiscuss and AISVote at www.aisboard.org are open
to anyone who is interested in looking at them. The archives are not
password protected.

John
On Jul 17, 2008, at 8:46 AM, Harold Stahly wrote:

> Hello, all,
>
> It seems to me that Dennis has a point well taken. Convention Board
> meetings, in-person, non-electronic, are open to any interested
> person who can listen in on discussion of topics at any stage from
> their first proposal to their completion.   The only exception
> seems to b when the Board goes into executive session to discuss
> unusually sensitive matters.  This discussion does not become part
> of the meeting minutes.  Otherwise all meeting discussions and
> actions are open to any AIS members.  Should not electronic
> discussion be treated in the same way?
>
> Hal
>
> On Jul 17, 2008, at 7:16 AM, R. Dennis Hager wrote:
>
>> Excuse my little rant, but you're going to get it anyway.
>>
>> Although there may be some perceived advantage to having the AIS
>> Board minutes password protected, any such advantage is quickly
>> dissipated by the not so subtle message that it sends to any
>> marginally interested or totally disinterested party.
>>
>> Some meetings should be held in closed session. There are times
>> when announcements of the decisions of the Board should be
>> delayed. However, those times are rare and this is obviously not
>> one of them.
>>
>> What activity is the Board of a non-profit involved in that would
>> necessitate hampering the free flow of Board meeting minutes?
>> Is someone just a little paranoid?
>>
>> The AIS has a membership problem. In this electronic age, it
>> doesn't take long to disseminate information and it doesn't take
>> long to disseminate the wrong image. How many of you would be
>> inclined to join an organization that requires a password to view
>> excerpts from Board meetings concerning procedure?
>>
>> I have been told that the AIS Board meetings are open meetings. If
>> it is an open meeting then for goodness sake (as opposed to evil's
>> sake), open the meeting.
>>
>> R. Dennis Hager, President
>> Society for Japanese Irises
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John I Jones"
>> <jijones@usjoneses.com>
>> To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:14 AM
>> Subject: [AISdiscuss] Board Actions Concerning Electronic Voting
>>
>>
>>> I have excerpted the two sections that I know of from the
>>> minutes  from past Board meetings concerning electronic voting
>>> and the AIS lists.
>>>
>>> If anyone knows of additional citations, please let me know and
>>> I  will add them.
>>>
>>> The document: AIS_Lists.pdf  can be found at:
>>>
>>> http://www.aisboard.org/aisdocs/
>>>
>>> John
>>>
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>>
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>
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