[Theforum] Consider: was - What do you want to do ?

[Ron Dorman]

Hello All,

There has been this debacle over process/organization/control for way too long.

As best as I can remember, no one has ever said that process and organization
was not needed.  The fighting that has been going on has been over which
processes and how much process for the most part.  Two sides, differing sharply,
have prevented most attempts at organization from occurring.

I was encouraged when martin wrote:
> Someone (Ron?) asked me a few months ago how we'd be able to come up with
creative
> ideas if we had more process in place. I've thought about that a lot since
then, and have
> realized:
> 1) There's a difference between necessary process and process for its own sake

I would very much like to see organization and processes in place that enhance
evolt.org, smooth the operation of the sites and lists and finally put aside all
the wasted time and frustration that has become "Admin".

I believe Michele may be right on target for starting a plan (also a process)
for organization and developing processes that will work for evolt.org.

Michele Foster wrote:

> This is just a suggestion .. I hope those of you that *love* evolt as much
> as I do will participate.  How about we all take a week or two to jot down
> on paper (ok type on a web space or email):
> <snip>
> I'm not talking about access or privileges or anything like that.  I'm
> asking for how each person wants to contribute back to evolt in a manner
> that they enjoy and that will make them feel like they are making a
> worthwhile contribution.
> <snip>
> This isn't about power, or titles (Admin) or anything like that.  It's a
> fact-gathering exercise to determine what each person would like to do and
> how they'd like to contribute.

This sets a good starting point because we can identify ways (processes) that
would support how people wish to work.  We have identified most of the tasks
that need to be accomplished.  With those pieces of information we can begin to
define processes that support the tasks and work habits to build evolt.org into
the original dream.  This is how good processes are developed.  Notice the word
"developed".  It will take time and refinement to develop processes that work
for evolt.org.

There is obviously some organization and process on thesite, and with the
technical support of our servers, with many people involved.  There are
processes in place to handle daily tasks.  We have the capacity and desire to
organize and set up processes that work, and have done so in these areas.  As
with all processes, they are not complete and fool proof and require stepping
out of the process occasionally.  When that is necessary and done, we should
adjust the process, not pound the individual (or individuals) that took
initiative and time to handle it.

Let's take this idea for it's possibilities and think about it.  Let's think
about the things we have said and done on the lists of evolt.org and off-list.
Let's evaluate whether we were truly trying to further evolt.org.  Let's think
about cleaning up our act and working cooperatively again.

Ron D.