Re: past COMMON session presentations

OK, in public then. How about producing some positive ideas that have not been tried and failed, and do not bankrupt the organization in the process? This as opposed to the tired complaints I've heard from you for several years that don't change the intended outcome. I'm done with this thread as I have other things to do, but if you want the organization to thrive, then step up.

Lee Iacocca said it best: "Lead, Follow, or get out of the way" Pick one.

Jim Oberholtzer
Chief Technical Architect
Agile Technology Architects


On 7/29/2011 8:35 AM, Paul Nelson wrote:

I don't know, Dan. Maybe the discussion about improving COMMON needs to be
held in public.

Paul Nelson
Office 512-392-2577
Cell 708-670-6978
nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dan Kimmel
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 8:19 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: past COMMON session presentations


Then stop complaining within earshot of others who do see value.

-----Original Message-----
From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Nelson
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 7:34 AM
To: 'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'
Subject: RE: past COMMON session presentations

My suggestions have been scoffed at and ignored time and time again. I'm
done.

Paul Nelson
Office 512-392-2577
Cell 708-670-6978
nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Trevor Perry
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 10:44 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: past COMMON session presentations

Since you did not answer the question, I will ask it again: What benefit
would you like to be added to the list?

You did comment about some individual benefits, which shows those are not
important to you. I feel that means you think your subscription is only
worth your vote - which is really very little value on its own, unless your
vote is going to enhance your benefits or change the organization for the
better. I expect you don't think either has happened, so on that we may have
to disagree.

And, of course, your recommendations are always welcome - I am sure the
board and staff are reading them. I would counter that the current
conference attendance is more related to the economy and overall user group
participation on the planet, rather than the 'fancy venues' and the
volunteer structure. Although, I am not so sure I have attended a 'fancy
venue' COMMON conference in some time - then again, fancy for a Texinoisian
may be somewhat lower than my personal expectations:-). As for ramping the
volunteer structure, do you have suggestions about how to fill the current
vacancies before we even can imagine to ramp?


On 7/28/11 5:41 PM, "Paul Nelson"<nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>This page is rather dated. When was the last time you guys updated it?
>The career center is empty.
>The April edition of the magazine was mostly a marketing piece for the
>spring conference.
>What does certification really buy somebody in this day and age?
>(Sorry, Larry& Jim) A voice to IBM? How can I submit a requirement to
>IBM via this web site?
>Manta discounts? Really? (Sorry, Bill)
>
>If you want to get attendees back in larger numbers, trying cutting the
>registration fees back to a 3 digit number, cut out the fluff related
>to needing fancy venues, and ramp the volunteer structure back up to
>where it needs to be. The conference is no longer worth $5,000 to me.
>
>I love you like a brother, man, but I've gotten over COMMON.
>
>Paul Nelson
>Office 512-392-2577
>Cell 708-670-6978
>nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Trevor Perry
>Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 4:12 PM
>To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
>Subject: Re: past COMMON session presentations
>
>Struggling with google ("benefits of COMMON membership"), or navigating
>your own organizations web site??
>
>http://www.common.org/index.php/membership/benefits.html
>
>Your turn. Name one you would like to see added to the listŠ
>
>
>
>On 7/28/11 1:48 PM, "Paul Nelson"<nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>

>><<There are so many other member benefits you get from your
>>membership,>>
>>
>>OK, I'm game. Name one.
>>
>>Paul Nelson
>>Office 512-392-2577
>>Cell 708-670-6978
>>nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Trevor Perry
>>Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 12:37 PM
>>To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
>>Subject: Re: past COMMON session presentations
>>
>>You won't attend the conference, won't pay the conference fees, yet
>>you still want the benefits of the conference? There are so many other
>>member benefits you get from your membership, and you want to add
>>conference handouts? Hmmm..
>>
>>Sure, paying your dues is great, but not being involved and still
>>wanting to vote is nice, but isn't that like living in another country
>>and wanting to vote in the place you left?? Just asking...
>>
>>On 7/28/11 1:15 PM, "Paul Nelson"<nelsonp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>

>>>I've always disagreed with this rule. If I pay my dues, I should be
>>>able to retrieve a handout.
>>>
>>>Then again, there were lots of things which seemed silly to me. I
>>>guess that's why I no longer attend the conferences. I only pay the
>>>dues to reserve my ability to vote.