[O29] Big Chiefs and the leadership question

[John Harris]

As yet we don't have a coordinator for the Program committee but I could be
mistaken. Sign Language Interpreters would be a useful contribution and
should be discussed in the Program committee. There was concern raised
in the last meeting about the need for a Logistics committee and hopefully
that will be nailed down on Monday. I would hope that if some things are
slipping
through the cracks, everyone could make an effort to alert the Coalition
through
the list serv and at the meetings. Much has to be done and we only have 3
meetings left.

The "amorphous structure" came out of the experience of organizing for the
successful rally on March 20th. The structure we are using is very similar.
Committee coordination is largely in the hands of younger people as we saw
for March 20. Coordinating bodies and coalitions exist now in New
England which have a lot of authority. As a more consistent working
relationship
develops among all organizations, coordinating bodies for mass actions
should
take on more significance. That is my view but opinions vary widely
on this question.
In solidarity,
John
  -----Original Message-----
  From: O29-bounces at massglobalaction.org
[mailto:O29-bounces at massglobalaction.org]On Behalf Of robert montgomery
  Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2005 3:58 PM
  To: o29 at massglobalaction.org
  Subject: [O29] Big Chiefs and the leadership question


  John Wrote:

  "The October 29th Coalition never bothered to elect a coordinator ("big
chief"). Thank heaven
  Chris is coordinating Outreach and Karen was coordinating Permits and
Jason is
  coordinating Media and Nick is coordinating the Web Site and maybe Brian
on finances.
  I am not sure who is coordinating our other activities."

  To other ends, John puts his finger on what I think is a major
organizational problem with the coalition: Lack of designated and
accountable leadership (i.e. "I'm not sure who is coordinating other
activities."). Perhaps if a "coordinator" of a "coordinating ctte" existed
we wouldn't be seeing suspicions about unnamed "Big Chiefs." John "Thanks
Heaven" for this, and has gotten a few laughs as a result of this amorphous
structure, while a demand that  Arlene raised in August for Sign Language
Interpreters has gone unattended. When she posted a request to the list for
follow up there was no one to answer her.
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