Upcoming AGA projects, volunteers needed, info, etc etc etc

[daniel_the_smith]

I'd just like to note for those who may not have read the AGA's by-laws (http://usgo.org/governance/2005bylaws.pdf), that the AGA, as far as I can tell, is set up such that the president's job is to implement the board's policies. The board appoints the president, he's not selected by the general membership, etc. My point being, if anything, the board should be "setting an example" for the president, not the other way around.

Also, I know at least one other board member lurks here occasionally and has posted a couple times. And as previously mentioned, my fellow central rep visited many of the clubs in the central region last year, a feat I won't be able to match. But, point taken: you guys don't feel like there's a lot of interaction with the board, and as far as I can tell, you're right.

PS: seigenblues, sorry for the threadjacking :/

[Horibe]

I'd just like to note for those who may not have read the AGA's by-laws (http://usgo.org/governance/2005bylaws.pdf), that the AGA, as far as I can tell, is set up such that the president's job is to implement the board's policies. The board appoints the president, he's not selected by the general membership, etc. My point being, if anything, the board should be "setting an example" for the president, not the other way around.

Also, I know at least one other board member lurks here occasionally and has posted a couple times. And as previously mentioned, my fellow central rep visited many of the clubs in the central region last year, a feat I won't be able to match. But, point taken: you guys don't feel like there's a lot of interaction with the board, and as far as I can tell, you're right.

PS: seigenblues, sorry for the threadjacking :/

Nice post, and certainly accurate.

On the other hand there is another aspect to the Board - President relationship that needs to be understood. As a practical matter, the system in place has issues, and may not yet be working properly - at least as the comments on the website suggest was originally envisioned.

The Board is supposed to be looking at the big picture, the long view and not the everyday, every month details. The President runs the organization. It seems the proper balance on this front has not been struck.

As such, the Board is not a "Congress" where constituincy responsiveness should be the biggest priority, in my view. This is not to say that such efforts and work are not welcome - but it does raise another issue the AGA struggles with. The need for 7 quality, outgoing people to fill the board, means 7 fewer almost ideal people to handle AGA operational positions.

In my view, I think the Board members and the President should be monitoring forums like this. But I do not necessarily feel it is the Board members' duty to be responsive - the President or the President's designee (perhaps seigenblues?) should take the lead in that role.

Arguably, all kinds of communications can be welcome, and this is particuarly true for the President communicating in both directions - to the membership, and the Board.

It is also arguable, however, that the Board, as a more deliberative body, should think before it speaks, investigate before it decides, and confer before it declares.

[vash3g]

In my view, I think the Board members and the President should be monitoring forums like this. But I do not necessarily feel it is the Board members' duty to be responsive - the President or the President's designee (perhaps seigenblues?) should take the lead in that role.

From a couple of the board members i chatted with at congress, about this specific issue, it is "too difficult" to sift through everything on the forum. Which to me says they don't care what we talk about.

[xed_over]

In my view, I think the Board members and the President should be monitoring forums like this. But I do not necessarily feel it is the Board members' duty to be responsive - the President or the President's designee (perhaps seigenblues?) should take the lead in that role.

From a couple of the board members i chatted with at congress, about this specific issue, it is "too difficult" to sift through everything on the forum. Which to me says they don't care what we talk about.

but we have a very specific AGA sub-forum here, that honestly gets very little traffic. And if you subscribe to it, it'll send you email.

at the same time, there's probably not a large population of aga members who lurk/post here anyway. (many of the youth are over at Tiger's Mouth)

[Joaz Banbeck]

... I think the Board members and the President should be monitoring forums like this...

They might be doing so. The prez, Allan Abramsom, has an account here; as does Andy Okun, Lisa Scott, and obviously, Daniel Smith. I've been talking to at least one other board member about joining, and he is at least lurking now. And, of course, any of them could have accounts but not announce themselves.

[aokun]

They might be doing so. The prez, Allan Abramsom, has an account here; as does Andy Okun, Lisa Scott, and obviously, Daniel Smith. I've been talking to at least one other board member about joining, and he is at least lurking now. And, of course, any of them could have accounts but not announce themselves.

To follow up, I check this forum section every few weeks and read the threads with interest and appreciation and I believe other board members and staff do too. I don't post about AGA issues, but I do read about them. My 19x19 posts are limited now to the quietly inoffensive. I hope.

Andy

[daniel_the_smith]

The direction this conversation took is interesting. Yesterday, I submitted something to the ejournal about my last club meeting...

http://www.usgo.org/news/2011/08/ting-l ... g-go-club/

[hyperpape]

I've been looking at pdfs of the old BGA Journals. I'd love to see the AGA do something similar. Right now, there are ejournals available starting in 2000, but the physical journal from before then isn't available, afaik.

[pwaldron]

I've been looking at pdfs of the old BGA Journals. I'd love to see the AGA do something similar. Right now, there are ejournals available starting in 2000, but the physical journal from before then isn't available, afaik.

I suggested this in 2008 (http://www.usgo.org/media/File/2008_03_ ... Report.pdf) and nothing has come of it. Given this entire process could be outsourced to a company I can only assume they're not interested or it's too expensive.

[hyperpape]

I think it would not actually be that expensive: http://singularityhub.com/2011/08/18/co ... larity+Hub)&utm_content=Google+Reader. Might be a few hundred bucks.

[daniel_the_smith]

I suggested this in 2008 (http://www.usgo.org/media/File/2008_03_ ... Report.pdf) and nothing has come of it. Given this entire process could be outsourced to a company I can only assume they're not interested or it's too expensive.

Thanks for reminding me of that report, I think it's extremely valuable. I also think that, given it's three years old, more than two things in it should have been implemented by now... Did you undertake that on your own, or was it requested by someone?

[hyperpape]

Since the report mentions up to date contact information, I will chime in that chapter information on the AGA website needs to be current. Some sort of automation seems ideal, but even having an individual in charge of sending out emails could work. When I contacted other clubs regarding tournaments in 2007 and 2008, I typically got 5-10 bounced emails.

A look at the website suggests that many defunct clubs have been removed, but I'd like to know that it's more than a one time thing, that either someone or some program is in charge of reminders.

[oren]

A look at the website suggests that many defunct clubs have been removed, but I'd like to know that it's more than a one time thing, that either someone or some program is in charge of reminders.

A "last verified as active" date could be nice. If it goes too long, someone emails and removes the club if it's disbanded.

[hyperpape]

A last verified as active" date could be nice. If it goes too long, someone emails and removes the club if it's disbanded.

Yes, though I think innocent until proven guilty might be the best policy here. If it's August, and it reads "last contacted in May", that's not so long, but it will only make people have doubts. Maybe something like "all clubs contacted and active since xxxx-xx-xx unless otherwise noted", with individual clubs that are out of contact noted.

[pwaldron]

Thanks for reminding me of that report, I think it's extremely valuable. I also think that, given it's three years old, more than two things in it should have been implemented by now... Did you undertake that on your own, or was it requested by someone?

It was a result of the volunteer's meeting at the Chicago go congress. Mike Lash really wanted it done and I volunteered to do it. It took several months but, as you point out, it didn't catalyze anything meaningful.