[ILUG] my comments on the constitution

[John P. Looney]

 This is a cleanup of what I said on
    http://www.linux.ie/pipermail/constitution/2000-March/000030.html

 Just a few things I'd like to see removed/changed;

>   1. The aims and objectives of the society shall be as follows:
>        1. To increase and promote awareness of the Linux operating
>          system within both the home and corporate sectors of the
>          Irish Computing industry.

 I reckon GNU should be in there, as well as "Free", to incorporate the BSD
people. Perhaps, at the start, define "Free software", and use that term
throughout the document. I'd reckon that 60%+ of On-Topic posts to ILUG are
not Linux specific.

>         2. To provide a forum to discuss and gain experience of the
>          Linux operating system.

 I reckon that it shouldn't be just Linux, it should be all sorts of free
software, and perhaps even related non-free software, like Solaris, Netscape
etc. to a lesser extent.

 2. To provide forums (i.e. mailing lists and a website) to discuss and
educate members and the public in the use and understanding of Free Software,
Linux in particular, and related topics in a friendly, informal and helpful
manner.

>         3. To help educate people in the usage of Linux and related
>          software.

 This is really important. Perhaps something like...

 3. To provide a framework for the construction and maintenance of training
programmes and seminars in the use and understanding of Free Software and it's
philosophies, to be availible, without cost or contract to the public and
members of the society.

 ...would be more important.

>    3. Members
>       1. Full membership of the society shall be open to anyone who is 
>        a resident of the island of Ireland who agrees to support the aims
>        of the Society
>       2. Associate membership shall be open to anyone who is not eligible
>        for full membership

 Just have "membership shall be open to anyone who wishes to be, and
agrees to support the aims of the society". There is no need for
"Associate membership". After all, Niall O'Brion was a member while living
in Germany. Do we have any associate members ? What are they ?

>       4. All members shall be bound by this constitution. 

 Really ? Legally ? Perhaps just "Members shall be asked to read the constitution".

 Do people have a problem with having a Chair, Secratary, Treasurer, PRO and
Webmaster ?  It's just that I'd prefer if it were pointed out that these
positions weren't too ... binding or whatever. Merely a titular position, so
there would be someone to go to when you have an idea, seek funding, have a
press release etc.

 Then, have an "executive" of people that promise their time to the society,
with some method of removing people that don't have sufficent time or
dedication to be on the executive.

 The idea is that if you wanted to get someone for an interview for a radio
station, you would ask the PRO or the Chair, and they would know who to ask -
or do it themselves if there was no one else. If you knew that RedHat had 40
boxes of software to give away, you would go to the chair to get them
collected from Cork; he would collect them himself, if no other method was
availible etc. Same with Treasurer (with extra obvious additions), and
Webmaster (who would have a team of webmonkeys).

 Also, some sort of promise to meet twice a year, in various cities, would be
cunning also. I've not been to Belfast, for pleasure reasons in years!

Kate

-- 
"The fool must be beaten with a stick, for an intelligent person 
the merest hint is sufficient"                -- Zen Master Greg