I understand some of Pat's concerns even though I disagree with her on some points. We've exchanged a few emails since her initial message. I think maybe it is time we started exploring the possibility of a more formal arrangement between the USGenWeb Project and Rootsweb.com, Inc. I think maybe if the line between the two were less blurry and if the rights and responsibilities of each entity were spelled out, a lot of this hassle could be alleviated. At least as much of it as possible. Ginger gingerh@shawneelink.com -----Original Message----- From: Pat Sabin (by way of Teri Pettit) <psabin@bellsouth.net> To: BOARD-L@rootsweb.com <BOARD-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, October 31, 1999 6:04 PM Subject: [BOARD-L] NE-NC Advisory Board Rep & other concerns >Forwarding to Board-L for discussion, at Pat Sabin's request: >------------------------------------------------------------- > >Dear Advisory Board, > >I had planned to wait until the elections were over and the new board in >place before writing this letter, so I'll respond to the nominees for CC >board member for the NE-NC region first. > >The apathy demonstrated by the inactivity of the CC lists since the >elections certainly applies to me, too. Perhaps that's as it should be - >CCs concentrating on improving their county sites and not concerned >about national politics. > >If you only have two candidates, I would support David Young. David >certainly shows a continuing, unstoppable enthusiasm for the Project. >I think he's one of about five subscribers to the NE list, and the only >one who posts on the list. > >My concern prior to the election is still a concern. I think the >Advisory Board and the RootsWeb Cheerleading team, often one and the >same, have a tendency to dismiss opinions that are expressed by those >you have called the "Screamers." > >There are many County Coordinators (and State Coordinators) that do not >spend their time in lengthy debates on the mailing lists, but that does >not mean they do not have strong opinions. > >I think the recent growth of the A.L.H.N. is the result of *many* >disgruntled CCs and SCs, including former USGenWeb Advisory Board >Members, quietly moving their pages, or starting new pages in a >different environment. For every hysterical CC who makes a bold >announcement on the CC list, there are twenty who make no announcement, >but are quietly transferring their affiliation to another organization. > >The issue, as you know, is RootsWeb's hold on the USGenWeb Project. >Please do not make the mistake of believing that only the "Screamers" >and the banned and blocked are opposed to the extent of the involvement. >I think many, many county and state coordinators got a wake up call when >the County Cluster pages make their debut. Many, like me, while not >abandoning their GenConnect boards and RootsWeb mailing lists, are much >more cautious in that relationship. While I have not made any such >decisions, I am prepared at any moment to disconnect my relationship >with RootsWeb if necessary. I believe I am not in the minority. > >My other RootsWeb issue is the Advisory Board's acceptance of RootsWeb's >banning policy. As sick and tired as I get of all the debating and >name-calling and bickering, we're a diverse group who will express many >ideas and opinions. All CCs and SCs should be allowed to participate in >USGenWeb lists and vote without special dispensation. The existing >situation is, in my opinion, intolerable. > >I also see these folks dismissed as radical nuts who obviously can't >spend much time working on genealogy. Again, I'm not a "Screamer" or a >banned CC, but we are all multi-dimensional, aren't we? I work full >time in real estate in busy Atlanta, maintain a home on my own, serve as >an officer on my church's Board of Trustees, have friends and family >nearby, and spend an inordinate (some would say ridiculous) amount of >time on genealogy...and I still read and consider these USGenWeb debate >issues. As I would do in local politics, I want to hear all sides >before making up my mind. > >My other issue is the power struggle between the Census Project and the >Archives Project. Frankly, the debates on this issue have convinced me >to maintain *all* on my data on my county pages. This is an ugly >situation and needs attention or it will continue to erode the USGenWeb >Project. > >Please consider that many CCs feel this way and are just not bothering >to express themselves. Thanks for "listening." > >Pat Sabin >New London County CTGenWeb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctnewlon/ >Jonesborough TNGenWeb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~tncjones/ >DuPage County IL ALHN - http://www.usgennet.org/~ahildupa/ >Washington County TN ALHN - http://www.usgennet.org/~ahtnwash/ > >