September 3rd, 08
AMC has a closed forum called AMC-lists on which any items of interest to AMC such as upcoming agenda items are discussed. It is said that this allows AMC members to be open and frank with each other without the membership seeing our disagreements. The list is “confidential”, and anyone who discloses what other AMC members have said is subject to censure. However, there are no ASIEs, Bylaws or procedures that codify this confidentiality. It exists by fiat. Whose fiat, I don’t know.
AMC can (and has) set up alternate AMC-lists where a particular AMC member can be excluded from the discussion, usually because it is that AMC member who is being discussed (and usually not in a nice way). This prohibits that AMC member from being able to say anything in his own defense or to know what others are saying about him.
I have entered motions for the November AMC meeting agenda to prevent the “alternate” AMC-list as an abomination to justice and to establish an AMC-list where members can read some of our debates in the spirit of openness. I do not believe I have any seconds to my motions, so they will never appear.
I also introduced a motion to allow new AMC members, upon election, to be able to browse the “old” AMC-lists to have an idea what was ongoing. Again, I have no seconds.
New AMC members are not allowed access to what the prior AMC has discussed.
I have several other motions on the agenda that I arrived at after studying how this AMC has operated over the past year. Some may have minor support. It is the discussion on these items which will be important IF the discussion is mentioned in the minutes.
Enough of my hyperbole on AMC opacity. Bob Bevard of South Texas Mensa is doing something interesting: as his group is larger than the state of Georgia, they are video recording their ExComm meetings and are making those recordings available to their far flung members. Congrats on a great idea of improving your communications! An article on this should appear in Interloc.
Leonard Nijssen, LocSec of Western Arkansas Mensa, has been an extreme dynamo, continually searching for methods to improve group participation, testing and activities.
Besides becoming a proctor himself to help with testing, he has increased his group’s on-line forum to almost 100% participation and is now starting some very advanced discussion groups to lend an intellectual interest for his group.
I just attended the Austin RG and wish to thank the people there for a great time. While there, I presented Ray O’Connor and John and Geri Neemidge plaques in recognition for all they have done for Region 6. Their efforts are truly appreciated.