I really don't have any other suggestions other than some sort of dues.

There not only has to be accountability for BOD but for members.

People will always bitch and moan but to have a true voice and feel for an organization there has to be more than hope and dreams of a vision being fulfilled.

This really reminds me of the times as an active member in my fraternity...Dues were mandatory for survival yet some didn't pay yet bitched and moaned and nothing changed until we revoaked voting privaledges, access to parties, etc. This changed things as there was accountability and these were things that people wanted. People also held positions that were vital for the organization but if jobs weren't done there was an accountability system.

The reality is that despite serving thousands OUCH remains grassroots much like a fraternity and there will always be a small group doing the thankless work for many regardless of everyone who is a member reaping the benefits.

There needs to be accountability for both this will diminish bitching and help motivate those who really want to be a part of something significant.

My humble opinion....hope the example made sense as it seemed to in my exhausted noggin

Eric

Eric,
Your opinion is so good that it's double posted  .  And you are right about the few serving the many (this occured with the ham radio club that I was a member of~we would send out e-mails and letters about the members needing to be there for a special vote, well in advance and they would still not show up).

How many people on this thread are ready and willing to volunteer to do something to help OUCH, rather than sitting around pissing and moaning about the way things are?  I've already said that I am, so what about you?

deltadarlin wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 8:32am:


Carolyn dearheart, you sure are nagging on this issue.  

Ok.  I will end eventually with what will be only a suggestion.  However, there has been some discussion on the other thread I'll labor to death first in order to show appreciation for the accumulated contributions this discussion has been through in order to possibly contribute.  I posted there but this is fairly contriving and I've quoted out of context in some cases for the words that were used.  I think and hope though for the instances to be harmless.


Originally finding Bob P's remarks a good starting point

Bob P wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2009 at 11:09am:


and then mentioning Michael's use of focus

wildhaus wrote on Jul 6^th, 2009 at 10:46am:


I tried to make  reference to a unified focus in some way, but wish to include the ladder steps inbetween to expand with a further effort.

Marc steps a bit further mentioning a narrower focus perhaps, but adds involvement with it, which has also been discussed.  Two good points so far.  

Marc wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2009 at 8:43pm:



Chris here again takes Bob's original thought, being now Marc's comment about a focus being narrrow, but Chris adds team and working together.

purpleydog wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2009 at 11:41pm:


I will get back to stagnant state.  Anyway, so now we have narrower focus, involvement, team, and working together.  Doesn't sound bad at all.  Combining all, it may be all similar to aftermentioned unified focus, I don't know, I just make sh*t up.  Well though, but how to attain this narrower focus, involvement, team, and working together?


Michael here adds an initiative.  With an added inititative, see what happens -- collaboration, achievement, development, involvement, attention, leading onward, results, a sponsor and funding.  

wildhaus wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 9:30am:


It seems an initiative, perhaps an idea is an essential part of the rest having the possibility of falling into place, building all the other things added in the discussion so far, altogether I guess I've shortened to try to include them all in unified focus for convenience.

It may be that an initiative or idea can be formed from research or a creative process, and both of course.  If though, we were to be ourselves without research money and facilities, there might be more of a dependence upon a creative process, which has moments that may come and go.  That well can go dry for awhile, and here's where I'll come back to stagnant state.  

Combining creative and medical can be a very hard direction not easily attainable, some of our most creative can throw up their hands in that area.  Carl here can do wonders creatively, but damn if he isn't just being frank with admitting this one.  

Carl D wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 2:11pm:



Another honest one arrives soonafter.

FramCire wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 4:07pm:



Yet still we seek, searching.

catlind wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 3:30pm:


Searching, not quitting.  

We may have said once, "I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, " but still we subsist, live.  Time and looking, opportunity may arise can we still be there when it does?

If a stagnant state exists, that may not mean the end of things.  Ideas may happen, they may not.  So ok, can we live to fight another battle, another day?

Here Barb gives us a starter.  What did they do back in the dinosaur days anyway?  

BarbaraD wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2009 at 9:36am:


Well, look at that.  They threw ideas around freely.  There's a starter.  I'll bet people got behind a few of them.

From a popular saying, I think: "Build it and they will come."  With a right idea, motivated involvement can happen.  


Here looks like some resistance to saying OUCH isn't seaworthy.  I'd say that's involvement.

seaworthy wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 5:41pm:


Think what a good initiative or idea could do to raise the tide.  And here's a thought:

wildhaus wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 6:41am:


I do, too.


seaworthy wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 1:01pm:


What's cookin'?  It could be the turnip winter.


Racer1_NC wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 1:33pm:


In a way, much the same situation that may have started ch.com.  Sharing ideas and finding our own way through this.  Then came OUCH, Barb's quote.


catlind wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 5:40pm:


andrewjb wrote on Jul 5^th, 2009 at 6:20pm:


Yep, I liked it too, Andrew.  


deltadarlin wrote on Jul 6^th, 2009 at 8:43am:


I found this interesting because I figure, where are these ideas to come from that might be absorbing, instill involvement, maybe unified focus, which brought me full circle back to Michael, more fully expanding Bob's thought.

wildhaus wrote on Jul 6^th, 2009 at 10:46am:



I contacted Mike (Gator) twice in the past about the site, he accommodated a request to change something, then helpfully replied a second time, but access problems deter some from the site.  I cannot address that.

But here is my suggestion.  A member message board is created for ideas.  Any sensible ideas can be submitted to OUCH and will posted by them to its own thread on this open OUCH message board to be openly read by all members.  Comments and discussion may follow, moderated, pm's may flow between people about certain ideas, level of interest might be posted.  Two or three people may share just enough interest to take a stab at the idea.   Initiatives started, progress posted, obstacles noted, help wanted signs hung out.  It's possible more interest may be attracted through seeing initial collaboration.  A kind of "anyone can do it punk rock" inviting atmosphere, things can start at a simple level, some threads more involving, yet interesting to watch happen.  

No ideas may be posted maybe, no responses to ideas.  Ideas may get started and peter out, who knows, someone may pick up the ball again later.   It would be an open avenue for whims, even some good ideas, members who are medical professionals may chime in with a steering hand.   But it must be seen and accessable by all members, an open sharing by all members, a visiting place.

It could totally flop, but it's there for anyone, anytime, like the old coffeehouse intermingling hangout sessions where many, many ideas were born and discussed centuries ago.  

That's all I got.






 






 

Brew wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 5:39pm:



I have a feeling that this problem is about to become a non-issue. We are seeing very solid positive input (along with a bit of natural venting)

I believe that it was Kevin that I saw first use the word "Unified" - that's exactly what this thread is helping to do.

Brew - go ahead and tell me that you wouldn't help out at least a little bit in a solid, enjoyable atmosphere with "unified" team work in play.

Yours truly would be happy to do so.

It's actually up to us - not "them" because we can become "them".

Respectfully,
Marc

Quote:


Sorry, Marc, but no.

I'm smack dab in the middle od a prednisone taper. Did someone say waffle house?

As soon as I finish off this 1/2 dozen frozen bait fish I've had in my freezer since last October I'm heading out!

Linda,

You have mentioned several times about not being able to get volunteers, but how are we to know what is needed?  We need a way to get the word about positions that need filling.

I'm not sure what amount of time I would have available, but I would not be averse to helping out on a limited basis.  The limitation is not due to lack of interest, but lack of time to do a job properly.

Jerry

Thank you for your question Jerry.

How about starting with helping at the convention?  We will need help on Thursday putting the Goody Bags together; on Friday & Saturday we could use help on the Registration Desk and during the whole time we could use help shuffling O2 around to those that need it.  Not to mention preping for the Auction and during the auction.  Sign up for as much as you care to help. 

During the meetings we will be talking a lot about what has been said in recent days on ch.com and planning the future.  That will set what will be need during the next year.

After that, and if OUCH continues,  we will need potential BoD members as well as someone to take care of the web-site.  We will also need someone to be a back-up for handeling the web-site.

As a member of the BoD for almost 4 years now, my time invloved has been about 4to 6  hours a week.  More... when it is convention time.  My being chair of Family services is another thing but that is my choice.  Sometimes there is no one who needs me and other times I am busier than a one-legged goat in a ....well you know.


I am so glad you asked Jerry.  Any other questions I can answer for you I am here.   

Linda on the registration form (at least I think that's where it was) I completed the volunteer section too saying I'd help with registration, any computer work or whatever. Joe and I arrive Wednesday night. I have not been contacted either even though I threw it out there.

So I'm happy to help, just let me know where/what/when.

HERE WE GO AGAIN -- I AM THE "OFFICIAL" MASTER BUN TESTER and have been since 2000 (well actually 1999, but it was made official in 2000) and don't let Chuck tell anyone any different. Until I CHECK out the buns - they just ain't been graded! UNDERSTAND!!! 

Looks to me like people are stepping up to the plate ... count me in - I'll be there Wed. evening -- put the coffee pot on - I'll make sure Chuck puts in a full day's work. He's not "real" bright, but I think I can teach him to put goody bags together. He'll be so proud once it's accomplished.

Hugs BD

Marc wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 7:10pm:


This in bold is on point.  Everyone who has served OUCH, probably with the exception of the very first few, was part of the us.  I may not be a part of you all (as clusterheads), but I became one of "them", through a great deal of persuasion as I knew things would change.  

But then, that could be the best part.  Change is good.