GC email blast this week - Role descriptions, elections, action, etc.

Hi Everybody,

In the next couple of days we plan to launch an updated section of the website describing all the roles that need to be filled (Board positions and beyond), the process for how this will happen, the draft bylaws, and a notice to check back for the Interim Action Committee's recommendation for GC action regarding stimulus spending.

An email blast will be sent to GC supporters (about 450 people) to let them know to check the website to find out about the structure of the GC, how to nominate themselves or others for specific positions (Communications Chair, Events Chair, Policy Chair, President, Secretary, etc.), including the roles that have been filled in the interim by some of us on this Forum. The Elections Committee will figure out a fair and transparent way to deal with the nominations (we have no idea how much response we will get). Anyone is also welcome to join the Elections Committee, as will be clear on the website. Any previous internal discussions regarding who would like which role are just informal and in preparation at this point, so that we have our ducks in a row and aren't left with nobody interested in taking on these roles.

Remember that all of the committees on this forum were created only from those of us who attended the 3/3 GC meeting at Earthenirvana and signed up for these roles. All along we've been meaning to open them up to more interested people, but it's taken a little while to get organized to do that. (It's only been 3.5 weeks since the GCW9 event!) So, now we are going to open up these committees to more people, and hopefully we will get more help and leadership.

Also, regarding the Forum itself: the Forum is a work-in-progress that requires a Forum Moderator to determine and explain what the Forum should and should not be used for, and how to take advantage of all its features (polls, etc.). We don't have an actual Forum Moderator yet. Within each section of the Forum the Committee Chairs and Focus Issue Group (FIG) Chairs need to moderate discussions and determine the usefulness of the forum to their particular group. Some groups may prefer to just meet in person regularly. We don't have official Committee Chairs yet, and we don't even have unofficial FIG Chairs yet.

Some people have expressed that it may be better to save the Forum for when we have this leadership in place. As the Webmaster and acting Forum Moderator (though Ben, Jackie, Brian, and Emily currently share this moderating role), Ben Payne will make the ultimate decision on whether to open up the Forum to everyone that receives the email blast. He will need to make this decision based on how useful that would be at this time, as well as how much time and effort he has to devote to the Forum at this time.

Please bear with us as we attempt to improve all our processes. As always, your help, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.

Thanks,

Emily