From: Linda Haas Davenport [mailto:lhaasdav@cox.net] Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 8:07 AM To: USGENWEB-ALL-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ABChat] Problem with non-resolution of Grievances The Project's by-laws assign certain duties to the AB. Article VI (Duties of the Advisory Board), Section 3, lists one of the AB's duties as: "advising and mediating, if necessary, any grievances or appeals." http://www.usgenweb.com/volunteers/bylaws.shtml Over the years, acting under this section of the by-laws the AB has heard grievances and rendered recommendations to the parties of a grievance. However, once the AB rendered its recommendations it has been up to the parties of the grievance whether or not to follow the AB's recommendations. The by-laws do not give the AB the authority to enforce its recommendations. This situation has resulted in frustration on both sides - the AB and the members. This AB was recently involved in a grievance filed by a CC against an SC over the delinking of the CC. The AB members hearing this grievance rendered a set of recommendation, one of which was for the SC to relink the CC. The SC declined to implement the recommendations, citing past precedent that an SC has the right to delink any CC they wish and there is no requirement for grievance recommendations to be implemented. The decision of the SC resulted in yet more grievances being filed and e-mails from members demanding that the AB "do something." The AB has discussed this situation in Exec (the place to discuss grievances) and after extensive discussion has decided to bring this issue of non-resolution of grievances to open discussion to try to find a workable solution to the problem. A gentle reminder to everyone: As you discuss this issue please be careful not to include any particulars of the grievances or the parties involved. Linda HD