Nov 1998
From merope@access2.digex.net Mon Nov 2 09:35:15 1998
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 09:35:14 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981102090220.15250B-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Shaken, not stirred...It's Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains some editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Friday 30 Oct 1998
The board is still debating the best way to fill the vacant SW/SC
representative position. Some Board members feel that it makes sense to
include former candidates in the pool but to limit it to only those people
would be wrong, since people may not have run previously because they felt
the field was full. Expanding the pool will also give newer project
members a chance to put their name in. [it is still not clear to this
writer whether the Board is considering an election for the position or an
appointment.]
The NC posted her response to Mr. Spidell regarding her position on
"bottom-up" management of the project. That reply was also posted to the
-ALL list, so will not be further summarized here.
The NC is questioned as to why she is not addressing the issue of the
SW/SC on the Board list, and she replies that is in fact doing so and has
offered her opinion on the matter.
The NC posts a forwarded message from a "WGW, USGW, RW volunteer and
supporter" concerning the legal destruction of old cemeteries by
developers and the dumping of old records by counties and cities that are
not longer wanted. He notes that in his state, volunteers are helping to
preserve old records with their time, equipment and money. He also notes
the desirability of a federal law, that could not be overridden by local
governments, that would protect old cemeteries by at least requiring that
public notification be given before they are moved, and that any
relocation include undamaged tombstones replace over the correcct graves
at the new sites.
Saturday 31 Oct 1998
The NC is asked by 2 Board members whether Kathy Heidel is still a CC in
KS, as there is some question that she had resigned. In general, there
appears to support for Kathy Heidel's nomination provided she is still
active and interested. A couple of Board members note that she is active
and still interested in the position.
One of the board members forwards to the list a set of names that were
suggested to her as possible replacements for the SW/SC position. 3 are
MO CCs, 2 are KS CCs, one is the AL SC, one is a OK CC, and one of them
declined.
There is further discussion of the Civil War potential project. One board
member points out that there are many Civil War projects at the state,
county, and town level and if someone were to unify most of these sites
and present a petition requesting a USGW Civil War project, she could
support that. This idea is supported by one other Board member who points
out the utility to researchers of being able to access various
compilations from one source page [why doesn't this excellent reasoning
hold true for the Archives?]
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
par
par From merope@access1.digex.net Tue Nov 3 09:00:17 1998
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 09:00:12 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981103081313.9491C-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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There is no joy in mudville...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content and might challenge previously held
beliefs. Read at your own risk!
Sun 1 Oct 1998
Busy day today. Most posts discuss the issue of the vacant SW/SC
representative position. Kathy Heidel, formerly the apparent front runner
for the position, based on posts to -ALL and Board-L, posted a message to
one of her state lists and cross-posted to -ALL. Since readers of this
list have already seen it, it will not be further summarized here. A
number of board members have retracted their support for her as a result
of this post, citing their feeling that it demonstrates that she might not
be able to work effectively with the rest of the board. The person who
originally nominated her for the position has withdrawn the nomination and
the second has been withdrawn as well.
One board member has proposed the following schedule: adjourn current
meeting on Nov 23 for Thanksgiving and resume Dec 1; adjourn again Dec 22
(or Dec 13 due to Hanukkah) for the holidays and start again on Jan 4.
He also suggests appointing a new member before Thanksgiving and and
reaching consensus on the grievance procedures before the end of the year.
Another member suggests setting Nov 15 as the date by which they should
announce the new member and leaving the decision period open until Nov
10.
A board member suggests that each person who wants to be considered for
the vacant post send a statement to the board, saying as much or as little
about anything they wish, and the board should vote from among all
candidates who send a statement. The candidate with 2/3 of the vote would
be appointed; if no one gets 2/3 of the vote, the lowest vote getter will
be dropped from the list and a new vote taken. This will be done until
someone gets 2/3 of the vote. One board member notes that her CCs are in
favor of a poll to find the most deserving candidate and leaving the final
decision to the board.
The [former] NC posts to the effect that Kathy Heidel has not left KS as a
CC and also handles some other CC-type pages for the USGW project. [there
had been some concern expressed previously that Kathy was no longer a CC
and thus was not qualified for the position.]
There is some concern that other Board business is not proceeding because
of these issues, and it is pointed out that other business can proceed.
In Other News:
Nancy Trice, National Coordinator for the USGenWeb Project, has resigned,
effective 2 November 1998. Her resignation notice was posted here and
thus will not be summarized.
According to the bylaws, the Board must now appoint her replacement from
among their membership, and hold a special election within 90 days for
which anyone who meets the qualifications in the bylaws can be nominated.
In private conversation with a number of board members last evening, they
have expressed a desire for CC input for both the interim and the new NC.
They are also considering voting on whether or not to accept Nancy Trice's
resignation and I assume they will accept input on that as well.
Please note that suggestions for the _interim_ NC must be for those people
currently on the board. Karen Isaacson, although currently listed as a
non-voting board member on the web page, is not a board member and does
not qualify. Nominations for the special election can be for anyone who
meets the requirements in the bylaws, Article IV, section 9.
Representatives of the SW/SC region are apparently still accepting
nominations for the vacant CC rep position.
I will take this opportunity to remind the board of the following (bylaws
Article VIII, Section 3): "For major issues, the Advisory Board will
announce, at least 48 hours in advance, when the vote will be taken in
order for members to have the opportunity to voice their opinion." Please
keep us informed of when the Board will vote on these positions and who
the candidates will be.
Addenda:
I have received a couple of requests to forward the Daily Board
Show to state lists. Please feel free to forward these posts wherever
would be appropriate, but please also forward them in their entirety. You
may, of course, add whatever commentary you like.
The Daily Board Show has once again been accused of inaccuracy, so I will
reiterate -strongly- that I will publish, in full, any corrections of fact
that are sent to me. I will also publish rebuttals, or of course, you may
rebut them yourself. I will maintain anonymity if requested. Please
remember that I cannot publish corrections or retractions if I don't know
From merope@access1.digex.net Thu Nov 5 08:55:36 1998
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 08:55:36 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981105084056.16728A-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce...Its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* bridge ices before road, and there is editorial content ahead.
Tue 3 Oct 1998
this one deserves quoting in full:
"Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 18:29:55 -0800
From: "Kay Mason" <kmfkm@ptw.com>
To: BOARD-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <199811040231.SAA12486@mail.networkone.net>
Subject: [BOARD-L] Can we talk?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
I have a suggestion. I have an Election committee list that is not
being used at this time. It is closed and the Archives are not
public. Let's use it to discuss the differences and problems that
we have had. We must talk to each other if we wish to find a
solution.
If you want to do this, please respond to me by 7 PM PST on
Wendsday, November 4, 1998, and I will sub all of the Board
members and Nancy to the list and we can begin. However, if I do
not hear from everyone, we must assume that the people we do not
hear from do not want to find a solution to this problem.
The only recourse then would be to accept Nancy's resignation and
select one of us to be the "Acting National Coordinator", and
prepare for an election.
Thank you,
Kay Mason"
By the close of the day, 6 Board members had requested to be signed onto
the list.
[So by the time you read this, the Board will have retreated into secrecy
to discuss the "issues and problems". Guess some things just can't stand
the light of day.
Of course anyone who does not want to go secret is not in favor of finding
a solution.
The Board is reminded that according to the bylaws, their only recourse IS
to appoint an Acting National Coordinator and prepare for national
elections (Article VI, Section 7); they are additionally reminded that
under Article VIII, Section 8 they are required to notify their
constituents 48 hours prior to a vote on any major issue in order to allow
members to voice their opinion. Undoubtedly the selection of an Acting
National Coordinator qualifies as "major".]
Sneak peak at tomorrow's news: Three additional Board members have
requested to be subbed to the Secret List.
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Fri Nov 6 10:16:05 1998
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 10:16:04 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981106094331.21896A-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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"But I don't want to go among mad people"...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* editorial content may prove harmful to polished surfaces...read
at your own risk!
Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.
--Samuel Johnson
Wed 4 Nov 1998:
5 other board members have requested to be subbed to the secret list,
bringing the total to 12.
In other news: A show on Online Genealogy will be broadcast tonight on
the Lifetime Channel's "New Attitudes" program (check your local listings
for time). This show features Cyndi "The List" Howells, Brian "ponytail
and an earring" Leverich, and Karen "not a board member" Isaacson. A
program description is available at
http://www.lifetimetv.com/onair/shows/na/friday.html.
Tune it as the USGW Project is sure to be mentioned.
Tomorrow evening a get together featuring numerous USGW folks will be held
at the home of "Mr. and Mrs. Rootsweb" [that's how the invite described
'em] All in the vicinity of Los Angeles are invited. For those of us not
so fortunate as to be in that blessed land, there will supposedly be a
chat room open for virtual partyers. To join the party point your irc
client to irc.rootsweb.com and once in type /who. It will probably be
pretty obvious where the party is. Expected guests include Linda "the
loon" Lewis, Randy "Genconnect" Winch, Dale "owns usgenweb.com" Schneider,
and many more surprise guests. [sadly, I cannot attend due to a previous
obligation]
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access1.digex.net Sat Nov 7 18:07:48 1998
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 18:07:48 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981107173148.11084A-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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Are you ready to rumble?...Its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* its an editorial content thing, you wouldn't understand. Read
at your own risk!
Thursday 5 Nov 1998:
This is it folks:
"All 14 members of the USGW National Advisory Board are
currently meeting in private session to discuss the resignation of
the National Coordinator and other Board matters."
"Sunlight is the best disenfectant."
--Justice Louis Brandeis
In other news:
A _nasty_ dust-up over on the Listowners list has resulted in at least one
person being kicked off the list for asking the wrong questions about
the murky relationship between Rootsweb and IIGS. Wouldn't you know? Its
that darn pesky copyright issue again, a subject near and dear to USGW.
Someone even suggested thta transcribers don't own copyright over their
work, since they are only transcribers. Funny how a simple question of
how an organization is run, and who the dues go to, and just who _exactly_
owns the data on the site can so upset some people. Also very funny how
they deal with the questions by kicking the person who asked them off the
list. [Of interest, they don't seem any more capable of making nice over
on their block.]
Don't forget to attend the post "Lifetime New Attitdues" TV show [hey, it
beats America's most wanted] blow-out tonight on irc.rootsweb.com. Rumor
has it there will be a webcam. Face it, you've always been curious about
what Dale "Doc" Schneider looks like.
This has been your Daily Board Show. Sure wish the Board could have been
here.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access1.digex.net Sun Nov 8 11:10:55 1998
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 11:10:54 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981108105135.22769D-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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All the taste, only half the calories...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
In the darkness of secrecy, sinister and evil in every shape shall have
full swing. Only in proportion as publicity has place can any of the
checks applicable to judicial injustice operate. Where there is no
publicity, there is no justice. Publicity is the very soul of justice. It
is the keenest spur to exertion and the surest of all guards against
improbity.
---Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
Friday 6 Nov 1998
The motion to reject the resignation of Nancy Trice as National
Coordinator (98 #5) is withdrawn.
Fairfield County Magazine [no, I don't know which Fairfield County!] is
going to print an article, due out in December, apparently about The
USGenWeb project [its not mentioned by name]. The original letter was
sent to former NC Nancy Trice, and replied to and posted to BOARD-L by one
of the Board members. It is suggested by the webmaster that the Board
request permission to reprint the article on the web page.
In other news:
The Board continues its deliberations in secret. However, it has been
whispered in the hallways that progress is being made and an announcement
of a new NC could come as early as today. [my guess? Its whoever stepped
out to use the restroom while they were voting]
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was not able to join the virtual
party last night. However, I do know that a number of Board members took
a break and stepped out in irc. Hope everyone had a good time and Marvin
did not have to spend the whole night in the RV.
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Mon Nov 9 11:55:44 1998
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 11:55:43 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981109114350.26455A-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Broadcasting live from pirate satellite....its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Saturday 9 Nov 1998:
Only one message today. It deals with the message from the Fairfield
County Journal and basically reiterates that no one knows which Fairfield
county this might be.
In other news:
Larry Lewis, the husband of Linda Lewis, Coordinator for the USGW Archives
Special Project, passed away Sunday, Nov 8. My sincere condolences go
out to Linda and her family in this sad time.
Is anyone else having trouble with RW today? The lists seem to be down
and/or sporadic and I am getting numerous errors when accessing the home
page, including the occasional "netscape is unable to locate the server:
www.rootsweb.com. The server does not have a DNS entry." When it does
come it, it is incredibly slow.
Still no word on the new NC. Looks like yesterday's news was a little
premature.
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access2.digex.net Tue Nov 10 11:25:16 1998
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 11:25:10 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981110104435.15238B-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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Close cover before striking...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content, use only when diluted. Read at
your own risk!
Sunday 8 Nov 1998
Big news today...
It is moved that the board accept a resolution that accepts the
resignation of Nancy Trice, former National Coordinator, since after days
of discussion she has indicated she will not be rescinding it. It further
thanks her for her service and indicates that the Board will continue to
discuss her replacement concurrently with other business currently before
the board. The motion is seconded twice. One Board member motions in
favor of accepting Nancy's resignation, but then withdraws her motion in
favor of accepting the resolution [no explanation given].
One other yes vote is cast in favor of accepting Nancy's resignation
[although so far as I can tell, there is no motion current concerning her
resignation. The motion currently active concerns accepting a specific
resolution; see full text below].
In the absence of a chair for the meetings, it is moved that Betsey Mills
serve as temporary chairperson until a new NC can be selected. This
motion is apparently not seconded, although one vote in favor is cast.
[might I suggest that the first order of business for the new
chairperson be properly numbering motions and making sure Board members
are voting on motions that are actually current?]
Mail problems with the Sprint backbone are noted, preventing some Board
members from participating in the meeting.
One board member posts this cryptic message to the list:
"DSFDHmn,zbxzmnbvz,m", under the equally cryptic subject: fjhdgfjDA
[obviously the secret meetings are not going well, and the Board members
are reduced to speaking gibberish]
full text of resolution [yes, it took them almost a week to come up
with this]:
"I move that the board accept the following resolution... It is with deep
regret that, after days of discussion regarding the National
Coordinator's resignation, Nancy Trice has advised us that she will not
rescind her resignation. Please join with us in thanking Nancy for her
past and continued service to the USGenWeb Project.
Your National Advisory Board will now move on to selecting a temporary
replacement and setting up an election for a National Coordinator to
serve the balance of the NC's term.
Concurrently we will be addressing the many issues that have not been
addressed for the past two months.
Please bear with us during this most trying time. We have always had the
best interests of the volunteers at heart and will now proceed with
those interests and those of the project as our continuing goal."
[I shall assume they actually want our input on this and urge you all to
contact your representatives on the above resolution.]
Secrecy quote o' the day:
"Secrecy and a free, democratic society don't mix."
-- Harry S. Truman
This has been Your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access2.digex.net Tue Nov 10 11:52:05 1998
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 11:52:04 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Your Daily Board Show #2
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981110113020.15238C-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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Now in stereo!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains a big helping of editorial content. Read at your own
risk!
Monday 9 Oct 1998
[the archives seem to be getting online quicker, so here's an extra show
to catch us up]
The motion to select Betsey Mills as temporary chairperson is seconded
twice and a vote is called. Six Board members vote yes, bringing the
total to 7 [as far as I can tell; this doesn't include the original
motioner and the two seconds. I'm going to have to make up a scorecard to
keep track of this <g>]
No additional votes are placed on the motion to accept the resolution put
forth the previous day, concerning accepting Nancy Trice's resolution and
the selection of the new NC. No further discussion on this motion takes
place at all.
There are many duplicated messages from the previous day.
A message from a USGW user is forwarded to the Board concerning issues of
access to web pages by the handicapped. Specifically, the person states
they have trouble on pages that require many clicks to get to information.
One board member suggests it be mentioned to the new NC [don't hold your
breath], but that probably little can be done other than making sites one
page [!], discouraging the use of Geocities [its really been "pick on
Geocities" week], and dispelling any perception that CCs benefit from the
number of clicks.
This has been Your Daily Board Show, seeing double.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access1.digex.net Tue Nov 10 13:30:35 1998
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 13:30:34 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show Clarification
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981110132229.27641A-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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Received and posted.
[For what its worth, no where in the Board posts could I find Betsey
referred to as the temporary acting NC, but only as acting chairman. But
I could have missed it]
[but wait! Does this mean the Board has just selected a Temporary Acting
NC, so they can choose the Acting NC, and then start the process
to elect a Temporary Permanent NC, prior to the elections in July for the
Really Permanent NC? Has an extra step been added?]
[oh, and congrats, Betsey! I guess this means the voting is final.]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 98 10:52:57 CDT
From: Betsy Mills <betsym@1starnet.com>
To: merope@access.digex.net
Subject: Re: [USGENWEB-ALL-L] Daily Board Show
A correction for your report:
Betsy Mills is the temporary Acting NC - only chairing the meeting till we can
elect a temporary NC. Confusing, but necessary according to PPP.
Thanks!
Betsy
----------------
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
-Betting _nobody_ wants that job...
From merope@access2.digex.net Wed Nov 11 11:52:23 1998
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 11:52:22 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981111114515.18915A-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Hi Ellen!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Tuesday 10 Oct 1998
Vote counts for two motions are posted:
the motion to appoint Betsey Mills as the temporary acting chair passes
with 11 ayes, 2 abstains, and one unavailable.
The motion to accept the resolution (printed here yesterday) that contains
the Board's formal (and long awaited) acceptance of Nancy Trice's
resignation as NC had 4 ayes and one unavailable at the time of posting.
7 board members subsequently posted "aye" votes.
Since Harry Truman was so popular yesterday, here's another one:
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
--Harry Truman
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access2.digex.net Thu Nov 12 15:33:06 1998
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 15:33:05 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981112151929.391C-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Now George-approved!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains unhealthy doses of free thinking and editorial content.
Read at your own risk!
Wednesday 11 November 1998:
There seems to have been no new Board-L traffic today. As this might be
due to some network problems mentioned in the RW Review yesterday, I will
check again tomorrow.
In other news:
For those of you that don't get the RW Review, I recommend
reading yesterday's issue. There is a very interesting article by Karen
Isaacson for the National Genealogical Society's journal on the history of
genealogy on the internet. USGW and its partnership with RW is mentioned
many times. RW is also seeking input from its users on how they feel
about RW putting the Roots Surname List on CD, presumably for sale. The
archived issues of RW Review are available at:
ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/ (although the current one is not yet
available there, hopefully it will be in a few days.)
For those of you who have asked how to search the Board-L archives:
Go to http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl You will get a
screen asking you for the name of the list you want to search. Enter
BOARD-L (all in caps) and press enter. At the next screen, it will ask
you for your query. I usually type in the day of the week and the month
(wed and nov) and hit enter. This will get you lots of hits that aren't
relevant to the day you are looking for, but traffic on Board-L is much
lighter these days, so this isn't much of a hardship. You can also search
by any other topic; examples of searches are given on the page. Happy
reading!
Today's Daily Board Show is dedicated to those who will condemn what they
will not read. (Hi Ellen!)
"There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody
agrees."
-- Michael de Montaigne
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access2.digex.net Thu Nov 12 15:44:24 1998
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 15:44:24 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show Clarification
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981112154315.391G-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Here I go clarifying my own posts!
The full cite for Karen Isaacson's article is as follows:
This article first appeared in the National Genealogical Society
Computer Interest Group's "NGS/CIG DIGEST," Volume 17 Number 4,
July August 1998.
ROOTSWEB AND USGENWEB:
WORKING TOGETHER FOR GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET
by Karen Isaacson
Go read it, its good.
-Teresa
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access1.digex.net Fri Nov 13 18:24:26 1998
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Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 18:24:25 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access1.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981113180726.2099B-100000@access1.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Like watching a cat come out of anaesthetic...its your Daily Board Show!
*warning* editorial content in mirror is closer than it appears. Read at
your own risk!
Thursday 12 Nov 1998
No Board-L traffic today.
It has been one week since the Board began to meet on the secret list.
In other news:
Sources report that Rootsweb is being blocked as a spammer by webtv [oh,
the humanity!]
"Everything secret degenerates; nothing is safe that does not bear
discussion and publicity."
---Lord Acton
This has been Your Really Really Short Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access2.digex.net Fri Nov 13 23:05:16 1998
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Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 23:05:15 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access2.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: DBS---SPECIAL LATE BREAKING NEWS!!
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981113230235.244A-100000@access2.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Lookee what I found slipped under the door when I got home tonight...
The chair has received only one nomination for Acting National Coordinator.
Bob Bamford has agreed to serve if elected. There being no other
nominations, the chair asks for all in favor of electing Bob Bamford Acting
National Coordinator to say "aye."
Results of vote:
Kim - aye
Holly - aye
Bridgett - aye
Pam - aye
Yvonne - aye
Debbie - aye
Ginger - aye
Jan - aye
Kay - aye
Trey - aye
Terry - unavailable
Bob - abstain
Beth - aye
Bob Bamford is elected Acting National Coordinator. Sir Chairman, you have
the gavel.
From all of us here at the DBS central headquarters...congrats to Bob!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Sun Nov 15 10:04:46 1998
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Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 10:04:45 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981115093722.8892B-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Genealogy is not for the weak...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* editorial content ahead. Read at your own risk!
Lucky Friday 13 November 1998:
It is moved to appoint Bob Bamford as acting NC and votes are called.
Numerous aye votes are received on the list. Results of that vote were
posted here Friday evening [see Special Late Breaking News Edition] and
Bob Bamford has posted his introductory greeting to the -ALL list.
It is moved to appoint Kathy Heidel to fill the position of SW/SC
representative and further moved to add that position to the ballot for
the next scheduled election to be held in or about Jan 1999 for the
purpose of electing the National Coordinator. All candidates for the
position should meet the qualifications for Local Coordinator
Representative as given in Article VI, Section 9 of the Bylaws. This
motion is seconded and given number 98-8. [dust off those resumes,
people!]
Saturday 14 November 1998:
Motion 98-8 is seconded twice by the same person [there appear to be some
duplicated messages from the day before.]
The outgoing temporary NC is thanked by the incoming temporary NC.
The results of the election of Bob Bamford for temporary NC are posted: 11
ayes, 1 abstain, 1 unavailable.
Conjecture corner: This commentator is wondering if another Board
position will be vacant soon. Someone has been missing alot of votes.
Today's DBS is dedicated to the fine art of character assassination and to
Brian Leverich:
Don't ever defend. Always attack. Find or manufacture enough threat
against them to cause them to sue for peace. Originate a black PR campaign
to destroy the person's repute and to discredit them so thoroughly that
they will be ostracized.
--- L. Ron Hubbard "A Manual on the Dissemination of Material" (1955)
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Mon Nov 16 13:44:55 1998
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Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 13:44:54 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981116130920.10679A-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Under no controlling legal authority...Its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* This contains editorial content and is not covered by warranty.
Read at your own risk!
Sunday 15 Nov 1998:
No traffic on Board-L on Sunday [slackers!]
"It is a singular anxiety which some people have that we should all think
alike. Would the world be more beautiful were all our faces alike? were
our tempers, our talents, our tastes, our forms, our wishes, aversions and
pursuits cast exactly in the same mould? If no varieties existed in the
animal, vegetable, or mineral creation, but all moved strictly uniform,
catholic and orthodox, what a world of physical and moral monotony it
would be!"
---Thomas Jefferson
This has been your Daily Board Show!
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Tue Nov 17 09:28:06 1998
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 09:28:06 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981117091327.19247A-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Its my party and I'll cry if I want to...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning...contains a heaping helpin' of editorial content. Read at your
own risk!
Sunday 15 Nov 1998:
[yesterday there was no archived messages for this date...today there
are. The Board is not in fact full of slackers taking off a full day to
frolic, but is instead full of Type A obsessives who work even on Sunday.
Mea culpa.]
A vote is called on Motion 98-8 to appoint Kathy Heidel as SW/SC CC rep
and place the position on the ballot for the next scheduled election.
Votes are to be submitted by noon Nov 16, 1998. Thus far, 10 aye votes
have been received [some of them, amazingly enough, by the very same
people who just two weeks ago or so could not see themselves supporting
her because of her "attitude".]
Monday 16 Nov 1998:
One more "aye" vote received on motion 98-8, bringing the total up to 11.
[With the NC not voting and one rep position vacant and one rep MIA
it looks like Kathy Heidel is our newest SW/SC representative. May I be
the first to publicly congratulate her? Give 'em hell, Kathy!]
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
par
From merope@access5.digex.net Wed Nov 18 20:23:38 1998
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Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 20:23:38 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981118200847.8766B-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Help! Help! I'm being repressed!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains just absolutely astonishing amounts of editorial
content. Read at your own risk!
Monday 16 Nov 1998:
The final vote for Motion 98-8 is posted. With 11 board members voting,
the final count is 11 ayes and 0 nays. the motion is declared passed and
the webmeister is requested to make the necessary changes to the national
site. [For those of you not in the SW/SC region, I received notification
in my mailbox today that Kathy Heidel has accepted the sentence and will
begin serving immediately. Welcome Kathy!]
Tuesday 17 Nov 1998:
Nothing yet. I'll check again tomorrow.
[Since the ever dependable archives seems to have returned to its day and
a half schedule, the DBS will go back to being two days behind in
reporting Board activity. If this distresses you enormously, petition
your Board member to sub me to the list. I'll behave, I promise.]
"Acceptance by government of a dissident press is a measure of the
maturity of a nation."
-William O. Douglas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Thu Nov 19 14:12:19 1998
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Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 14:12:18 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981119140449.27584B-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Still more fun than a sharp stick in the eye...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* editorial content ahead...don't wimp out now! Read at your own
risk!
Tuesday 17 Nov 1998
There is one message from Kathy Heidel forwarded to the list by the SW/SC
CC representative, in which Kathy accepts the temporary SW/SC CC
representative position vacated by Maureen Reed.
"The ideal citizen of a tyrannical state is the man or woman who bows in
silent obedience in exchange for the status of a well cared for herd
animal. Thinking people become the tyrant's greatest enemy."
-- Claire Wolfe, 101 Things to Do Til the Revolution
Short but sweet...this has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@access5.digex.net Fri Nov 20 10:02:46 1998
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Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 10:02:46 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@access5.digex.net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981120093638.18994A-100000@access5.digex.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Getting it ready for you!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* Unadulterated editorial content dead ahead. Read at your own
risk!
Wednesday 17 Nov 1998:
Eight board members post messages welcoming Kathy Heidel, new SW/SC CC
representative, to the Board. The NC requests that she be added to the
appropriate mailing lists.
Kathy posts a message indicating she is looking forward to working with
everyone and also pointing out it is her 37th wedding anniversary and the
beginning of her third year without cigarettes [c'mon Kathy, inquiring
minds want to know...what DID you replace those cigs with?] Also, it is
the start of her third year with the USGW project [a coincidence?].
[a quick trip to the national web page tells us that Bob Bamford is the
interim NC and Kathy Welch Heidel is the SW/SC Region County Coordinator.
Interestingly, despite assurances by a Board member that this incorrect
listing would be corrected, Rootsweb staffer Karen Isaacson is still
listed as a Board member on this page. Curious.]
You Read it Here First: From the RW Review, Vo1 1 (23), Thur 19 Nov 1998:
" RootsWeb welcomes new staff members Marceline Beem, Pam Carey Durstock,
Vicki Lindsay, and Nancy Trice."
Conjecture Corner: It is beginning to look more and more like the Board
will shortly be replacing another one of its members, who has not posted
since 2 Nov and has missed three votes since that time. According to an
anonymous source, the Board is likely to go with tradition and offer the
position to the closest runner-up in the last election. We will, of
course, keep you posted.
"Power concedes nothing without demand... Find out just what people will
submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice which will
be imposed upon them... The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the
endurance of those whom they oppress."
-- Frederick Douglass
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@access.digex.net
From merope@Radix.Net Sun Nov 29 16:24:58 1998
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 16:24:57 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981129161616.28586A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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Live, from a secret location...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Friday 27 Nov 1998:
No Board activity on this date [all Board members are apparently too
bloated with turkey, stuffing and pie to reach their keyboards.]
In other news: Dick Eastman has published the results of his second annual
"best genealogy site on the web" reader's choice contest and for the
second year in a row, Cyndi's List was voted the best. Our own dear RW
was listed seventh, after Ancestry.com, Family Treemaker's website,
JewishGen, the Tri-County Genealogy Site, and the Luzern County, PA
Website. Better luck next year!
This has been Your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Sun Nov 22 09:05:25 1998
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 09:05:24 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981122085015.4965A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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It takes a licking and keeps on ticking...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains some editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Thursday 19 Nov 1998:
No Board activity on this date. [must be busy on the secret list]
Friday 20 Nov 1998:
No Board activity on this date. [that secret list must be hot, hot, hot!]
Conjecture Corner: What?! Could it be a snag has been hit in the
discussion of the missing CC rep and the potential replacement? The next
highest vote getter and only other candidate might not be the replacement
after all? _Whatever_ will the Board do? Stay tuned!
"In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always
lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas."
---Alfred Whitney Griswold
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Mon Nov 23 10:03:20 1998
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 10:03:18 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981123094651.12075B-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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You can't fall off the floor...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* Contains editorial content. C'mon, you KNOW you want it. Read
at your own risk!
Saturday 21 Nov 1998:
No Board-L traffic on this date.
In other news: In a message posted to this list this a.m., Bob Bamford,
the temporary NC has indicated that the Board is addressing the issue of
requesting Rootsweb to add a link to its front page directly to the main
USGW page, in response to SC/CC requests to Board members.
Conjecture Corner: Whew! Crisis narrowly averted! It appears that the
missing Board rep will be rejoining the group, possibly as early as the
first of the month. We have a very happy Board today, I am sure.
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."
-- Edward R. Murrow
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Tue Nov 24 14:05:43 1998
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 14:05:40 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981124110955.1738B-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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Live, from the list that eats its young!...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial contact; explodes on contact. Read at your
own risk!
Sunday 22 Nov 1998:
No Board-L traffic on this date.
Sneak peak at tomorrow's news:
Seems a motion has been posted, no. 98-3 [3?, I though we were up to 9 by
now?] See below for full text. It has been seconded. Discussion period
is open until midnight Nov 24 and can be extended if necessary. [you may
now debate the merits or lack thereof of this grievance procedure amongst
yourselves. Do not hesitate to forward your opinions to your
representatives and do it quick. Obviously they are in a hurry on this;
they seem to have forgotten the 48 hours prior notice required by the
bylaws.)
In other news: I don't know if this is of interest to anyone else here,
but I was reading the other day that FTM has either bought or gone into
partnership with GenForum (another query posting system) and will close
their message boards in favor of GenForum. Given the propensity of FTM to
put any and all data on CDs, and for them to lock out users who don't
buy FTM products, those of you who use GenForum may want to keep an eye on
this. I can't find anything about this on FTM's site, but Genforum is
now "brought to you by" FTM on their site.
Conjecture corner: Put up the big tent folks, the circus is coming to
town! Seems the Board has been asked to step in and mediate a dispute
between a CC and a SC. No wonder they're in a hurry to polish up that
grievance procedure.
"Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat
you with experience."
---unknown
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
full text of motion 98-3:
I MOVE that the USGenWeb National Advisory Board, in
accordance with ARTICLE XIV, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
AND APPEALS PROCESS
Section 1. All members of The USGenWeb Project have the right
to request that the Advisory
Board advise on issues related to grievances and appeals and to
mediate, if necessary.
Section 2. Members should submit their grievance or appeal to one
or more of the board
representatives from their region.
***
Create a Committee to advise and mediate Grievances and
Appeals submitted to them. The 15 members of
the USGenWeb Advisory Board, with the National Coordinator
as an ex officio member, will serve on this committee as a
Committee of the Whole.
The Grievance - Mediation Committee members will organize
themselves and select a Chair of this committee. They will make
any necessary rules to govern the advisory and mediation
process. The National Advisory Board as members of the
Grievance-Mediation Committee will forward all requests related to
grievances and mediation to the Grievance-Mediation committee for
action.
In order to protect the privacy of the people involved in the
Grievance and Appeals process, the Grievance-Mediation
Committee will meet on a private mailing list.
he Grievance-Mediation Committee will report the outcome of all
issues brought to them on Board-L. The USGW Members involved
in
these issues will have the right to request that their names be
omitted from these reports.
From merope@Radix.Net Wed Nov 25 10:52:45 1998
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 10:52:44 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981125103219.192A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!....its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* Editorial content, get it while its hot. Read at your own
risk!
Monday 23 Nov 1998:
Motion 98-3 regarding the grievance process is formally moved and
seconded. The interim NC opens discussion on this motion, to last until
midnight EST 11/24/98 [this is hardly fair to left-coasters, who get three
less hours to think about this. Given that the original message was
posted at 11:45 am 11/23/98, they got barely 12 hours to deliberate this
motion. Unless of course, the interim NC meant midnight EST 11/25/98,
which would have been Tuesday night]. There is no further discussion on
the list on this date except for mention of a typo in the original motion.
Tomorrow's News Today: The only message for Tuesday 11/24/98 is a notice
that the typo has been corrected. [I certainly hope there is some
discussion of this motion going on somewhere.]
In other news: According to the RW Review, two new lists have been
provided to the USGW Board: BOARD-EXEC [very official sounding!] and
USGW-NOMINATE [could it be the Board is preparing to accept nominations
for the NC and SW/SC rep positions?] No mention of the LUV list yet.
[can someone tell RW to update their Review archives? The most current
edition archived is 10/28/98]
"The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to
be governed by men worse than themselves"
--Plato
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Fri Nov 27 09:44:02 1998
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 1998 09:44:02 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Bored Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981127081615.11911A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
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50 million dead turkeys later...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains challenging and provocative editorial content. Read at
your own risk.
Tuesday 24 November 1998:
The only message on Board-L on this date is one indicating that a typo in
the original posting of motion 98-3 has been corrected [one of the _many_
important duties of the NC, no doubt].
Wednesday 25 November 1998:
Since the discussion period has ended, a call for votes on motion 98-3 is
issued. On this date, there are 7 aye votes, 0 nay votes, and 1 vote of
'present' by the NC. [since the proposed procedure is no different than
the previous one, it appears that we can expect to see more of what passed
for 'fair' grievance moderation in the Ken Thomas Affair. Congrats to the
Board for effectively insulating itself from any grievance procedures
filed against it and for denying the rest of us any opportunity for a fair
and impartial hearing by our peers. And now -ta da!--they get to do it in
secret.]
Tomorrow's news today: Another five Board members vote aye on Motion
98-3. Its a done deal. [my condolences to those of you who are about to
come before the board on grievances. You've already lost.]
Gratuitous Swipe at the Board Corner: Let's talk about secrecy shall we?
Not quite two months ago [although apparently outside the Board's
collective memory], on Oct 4, the Board voted to open the Board-L
archives to the public. This followed some little discussion of opening
the Board -L archives to the public, in which members of the Board
expressed the following noble sentiments:
"I was thinking that if we make these message public, it will stop
the volunteers from thinking that we are running a secret society here."
--Pam Reid, 25 Sept 1998
"I would like to ask that we all consider making the archives of the
messages posted to this list since Sept. 1, 1998 be made available to
the general USGW membership. This should be done right away, IMO." --Pam
Reid, 25 Sept 1998
"I agree. It is in keeping with our stated policy of keeping the
volunteers informed and is long overdue!" --Bob Bamford, 25 Sept 1998
">I agree. It is in keeping with our stated policy of keeping the
volunteers informed and is long overdue!
I agree" --Holly Timm, 25 Sept 1998
"This sounds like a good idea to me. It is in the same category as
posting the log of a board meeting in IRC" --Bridgett Smith, 25 Sept 1998
"... this is truly the only way I can think of that will keep the
Volunteers informed, with all in the open. At least they can draw their
own conclusions." --Terry Davis, 25 Sept 1998
"What alternative would you suggest? I can only see 2 options: either we
have meetings & post the logs, or we allow the Board-L list to be
searchable. I don't see how we can avoid it. Somehow, we have to let
everyone see what is actually happening - for better or for worse."
--Maureen Reed, 25 Sept 1998
On October 4, at the first official meeting of the new Board, they voted
to open the Board-L archives to the public. The discussion included this
comment:
"We owe it to the volunteers to let them see the board operate and
show them that we are acting in their and the project's best interests."
--Bob Bamford, 4 Oct 1998
There were 12 ayes, 0 nays, an 0 abstentions. The motion passed and the
archives were opened.
One month later, on Nov 3, the entire Board agreed to move their
discussions to a secret list. They have now held votes on four motions for
which all discussion was held on the secret list. Two of these motions,
the interim NC and the grievance process, were of substantial interest to
the project as a whole, and one of them, the interim SW/SC rep
replacement, was of interest to an entire region. Yet, not only were
their constituents not asked for input on these motions, nor informed that
a vote was imminent (as required by the bylaws), we were also kept from
observing the Board's deliberations on these important matters.
Apparently, the fine sentiments expressed on Sept 25 and agreed to on Oct
4 by a substantial majority of the Board were forgotten in the painful
realization that someone might actually pay attention to what they were
doing. Apparently, they no longer "owe it to the volunteers" to allow us
to see how and why they do what they do. Apparently allowing us to draw
our own conclusions is no longr palatable to the Board. Apparently, there
is no longer a "stated policy" of keeping the volunteers informed, other
than after the fact with a notice that a vote has been taken and the
matter decided thusly. Apparently, the Board IS running a "secret
society."
Although they are adhering to the letter of the motion to open the Board-L
archives, the Board has violated its spirit. They have decisively told
the collective membership of the USGenWeb Project that the business of the
Board is none of their business.
"Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off."
--Samuel Johnson
-This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Sat Nov 28 18:05:18 1998
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 1998 18:05:17 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981128175730.20938A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Because sometimes you feel like a nut...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Thursday 26 November 1998:
Five additional Board members vote aye on motion 98-3, making it official.
That's enough depressing news for one day. This has been your Daily Board
Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Sun Nov 29 16:24:58 1998
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 16:24:57 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981129161616.28586A-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Live, from a secret location...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* contains editorial content. Read at your own risk!
Friday 27 Nov 1998:
No Board activity on this date [all Board members are apparently too
bloated with turkey, stuffing and pie to reach their keyboards.]
In other news: Dick Eastman has published the results of his second annual
"best genealogy site on the web" reader's choice contest and for the
second year in a row, Cyndi's List was voted the best. Our own dear RW
was listed seventh, after Ancestry.com, Family Treemaker's website,
JewishGen, the Tri-County Genealogy Site, and the Luzern County, PA
Website. Better luck next year!
This has been Your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa Lindquist
merope@radix.net
From merope@Radix.Net Mon Nov 30 11:45:27 1998
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 11:45:26 -0500 (EST)
From: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
Reply-To: merope <merope@Radix.Net>
To: USGENWEB-ALL <usgenweb-all-l@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Daily Board Show
Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.96.981130105539.22629C-100000@saltmine.radix.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: O
X-Status:
Where's the beef?...its Your Daily Board Show!
*warning* Contains editorial content; wimps need not apply. Read at your
own risk!
Saturday 28 Nov 1998:
A Board member requests a report from the Election Committee [which
apparently consists of one person] with a tentative timetable for the
upcoming election.
The election 'committee' replies that it is the process of organizing for
the upcoming elections. Four committees are being formed:
Nominations
Vote-NE/NC
Vote-NW/Plains
Vote-SW/SC
Vote-SE/MA
[It is presumed that these four regions correspond to the four project
regions.] The voting period will be from Jan 15 through Jan 30, 1999.
[According to the bylaws the elections committee is appointed by the Board
shall consist of Advisory Board members and projecct volunteers. If you
are interested in participating, contact Kay Mason at kmfkm@ptw.com or
your Board reps.]
A Board member requests further information as to estimated dates for
nominations and the method of nominating.
Because its Monday Corner: From the bylaws:
"ARTICLE VIII. ADVISORY BOARD PROCEDURES
Section 3. For major issues, the Advisory Board will announce, at least 48
hours in advance, when the vote will be taken in order for members to have
the opportunity to voice their opinion."
Based on this passage, three of the last four votes by the Advisory
Board are not in compliance with the bylaws. I cannot find any evidence
that the project membership was informed of these important upcoming
votes. There is no evidence I can find that announcements were posted to
the State Coordinators list for dissemination, nor were these motions
posted prior to each vote to the National Website, at least not in a place
easily findable---and I check every day. Motion 98-3 ('new' grievance
procedure) is still not posted (as of 11:30 EST, 11/30/98) and voting on
that motion commenced on Nov 25. Nor have I talked to anyone who received
any sort of notice from the Board that votes were about to be taken.
Thus, the votes for the Interim NC, the interim SW/SC representative, and
the 'new' grievance procedure were not done in compliance with the bylaws,
which _require_ 48 hours notice prior to a vote being taken, for the
express purpose of allowing the project membership to "voice their
opinion."
Of course, allowing the membership to "voice their opinion" probably
seemed like a good idea at the time, much like "keeping the volunteers
informed" with open Board meetings must have also seemed like a good idea.
Now, the Board can approach this at least three ways: 1) these issues are
not important; 2) the membership WAS informed 48 hours prior to each
being taken; and/or 3) the Board was not aware of the requirement. Which
do you think it will be?
In my opinion, the Board's failure to comply with this provision of the
bylaws renders the votes null and void. Better luck next time.
This has been your Daily Board Show.
-Teresa
merope@radix.net