The Boardroom

Considering the issues, and policies, which have been brought under question of late, I would like to place an outline in this chat room forum, with the purpose of formulating a concise and representative post to be placed in the 'suggestions/feedback' forum.

There is a lack of communication at all levels within this project and what communication does take place appears to be either from the uninformed or occasionally those who are informed but restricted in their comments to the statement of policy type reply without offering any new or pertinent knowledge. Telling a person who asks a legitimate question that questions are never answered, outside of some misguided political systems, is not a legitimate reply. It is worth noting that, to some of us old enough to remember the concept of truth and lie, 'spin doctoring' and avoidance of an answer, or failure to address the subject, is still called lying

Having recently, for me, come to the belated realization that there is a 'Board of Directors' in charge of steering the project and the dissemination of information and all things appropriate to a Board, it begs the question; Who are they and how did they get there? Remembering that this is a Public Endeavour with support from many and varied individual, and corporate donors, all with philanthropic intent and expectations. The Board is, I believe, made up of IBM representatives and doubtless some scientific advisors and as this is a commercially non productive area for this company, one can easily understand a lack of urgency to deal with issues arising.

The entire project, seems to be running along Corporate lines and dare I say with no small degree of corporation style paranoia thrown in to the mix. The problem, I suspect, could be that although the Board members are likely excellent business people, the majority would have little or no experience in philanthropic or charitable public institutions.

It is my premise that, with a Board of Directors in place, this board should also have duly elected representation of all donors, and interested parties not only the Corporate and Scientific communities and should also contain both a charter, to communicate clearly with the donors (effectively share holders) but also have representatives whose portfolio would specifically include this task.

There are many people who would have the knowledge and expertise to represent the rank and file donor in the grass roots aspects of the project administration, dealing with day to day issues such as points systems, forum requirements, behavioral issues, clarification of little understood aspects of the project including general philosophy and headiway made toward stated goals.

I would suggest that the active teams could nominate and elect their own representative from within their ranks. Some outstanding candidates immediately spring to mind, and then a more public election could be held within the overall community. The elected parties would then be submitted to the Board for approval subject to periodic review and re-election

Board meetings would be held via internet conferencing, and would then include people from all nations to truly represent the interests of us all.

Thoughts?

Lots not covered here,(gotta stop writing novels), it's a start, I think.

I await your considered and constructive responses.
Cheers. ozylynx