[OSGeo-Discuss] Elections 2017 from the CRO point of view

[Tom Chadwin]

Dear Vasile and all

I've thought long and hard about whether to reply or not, but it has been bothering me, so I guess I must.

> However, during the nomination
> period, many of our members considered the new membership process way
> too inclusive/lite, causing a diminution in the importance of the
> charter member position.

As one of the intake of this year's new charter members, I find this both insulting and upsetting.

> My recommendations for the future board are to: (a) Change the
> existing membership process with another one more balanced, that assures
> both inclusiveness and a consistent weight for the charter member
> position.

Where does that leave those of us elected as charter members this year? Are we "lite" members because "many" existing members felt strongly enough about protecting the exclusivity of their position to complain privately to the CRO, but not strongly enough to express that opinion openly so that it could be discussed?

I really feel for Vasile that people expressed such a potentially toxic opinion, thereby absolving themselves of the responsibility of putting their names to it, while presumably expecting him to raise it himself, as he has so professionally done.

I was extremely proud to have been nominated and generously seconded. Recognition and reputation are significant parts of open-source currency. However, this attitude creates the impression that membership is a self-serving clique.

I would have been happy to have gone through a more rigorous nomination process. However I, and many of my colleagues - many much, much more respected than me - did not, through no fault of our own.

Let me make this clear: this issue and the way in which it has been raised, coupled with the white western board election results (concern about which I absolutely share), and also the unpleasant flavour of the board election through the situation with Jeff are making me question whether I should retain the charter membership I was so proud to attain.

Yours in frustration

Tom


Tom Chadwin, ICT Manager
Telephone: 01434 611530 Mob:
Web: www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk<http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/>

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