 | National Censorship! by Jarrett Smith
The Federation is falling apart around them and the only "useful" action the National Executive can take is to "withdraw support from the list". Spending valuable time discusing this forum yet again, an argument that took up waisted time 15 months ago.
A well functioning success story - one of the few in 18 Plus - gets support (for what it was worth) withdrawn. I will not be helping with any censored list so please, no ideas on that score!
Discussion is a more mature option, I listen, I take note and I want to work with National. After the last discussion I made several changes not all of them, including the rules all members agreed with. Why not ask those on here what they want?
National (or what is left of them) do not like any criticism even constructive they have no tolerance for it.
===================================== 18plus Rebellion 
by Rob Barber -
Onelist has given people the opportunity to air their views and help others in the Federation and therefore improve morale in the organisation.
I had been a member for two years prior to onelist and the improvement in communication and the spread of enthusiasm since it's take off can not be underestimated.
The Federation has far more serious problems than discussing this list (i.e. retention in groups and the lack of attendance by members at Area & National events).
Some of us are getting fed up of all the nonsense when national should be dealing with the serious issues - lack of President, National Chairman, National Finance Officer, National Training Officer, Vice Presidents, EPRO, etc.
Looking at the National Web Site (is Mark being negative by displaying this) I can see that all but one out of six areas are lacking anywhere near a full committee. What about the groups? I keep hearing of groups close, how many are opening?
Surely they should be encouraging more people to use the list as a tool for inspiring one another.
Also from my experience Jarrett is not only a great person to know but also someone who has contributed a lot to 18 Plus. |
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* Note: Please send your comments and support to:
18plus-owner@egroups.com and ask to have them posted to this page. Join the 18plus rebellion!
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Control of Free Speech?  by Jarrett Smith
No one has explained how this decision came about, what the concerns were or the reasons!
As a National Officer or NEC member I would stand my ground on matters of principal, morality and ethics. If anyone feels differently fine but I do know the type of people I would like representing me. Certainly not those who haphazardly take decisions and demand others obey, censor all "under their control".
The atmosphere should always encourage opinions as opposed to enforcing the opposite.
I am not prepared to tow the party line on this - I am not a politician. 18 Plus is not in government. If certain people at national see the list as a threat they should appeal to it as opposed to close it down or censor each other/anyone else. Freedom of expression is how this list grew.
18 Plus belongs to its members and they and those who represent them should not be dictated to by a few old time plussers wishing to have their way.
My own and others (including people at national) opinion on this is that the NEC have lost the plot and are abusing their power. * Appointed - "Discussion List Co-ordinator" at the July 1999 NEC meeting - NOT asked, consulted, told or informed!
========================================= Travesty  by Graham Hurst -
The onelist provides people with a good way to keep in touch with each other, find out what is going on within 18 Plus, discuss ideas and generate enthusiasm. The Federation should be making more use of this.
Maybe a FAQ notice on how individual members can mandate their area chairmen to take forward motions on their behalf to NEC meetings would be useful. If one member in each area of the Federation came forward with a motion for their area chairman to take to the next NEC meeting this list could have national recognition reinstated!
As long as this list is used properly it can only prosper as more people gain access to email. It needs the members support for a list to be adequately moderated. I am surprised the NEC did not first come up with a list of concerns and consult the moderator first before deciding to withdraw support. I know Jarrett has done a great deal of work to push this list to everyone and make it useful to the Federation. It is a great shame that someone who has put so much time and effort into something should have that work treated in this way. The way this has been handled is a travesty.
Anyone on this list is entitled to post a message and that should enable all members to have a say on any subject. |
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