RE: past COMMON session presentations -- MIDRANGE-L

Sorry, Jim. You missed out on some of the more "fun" times back in the 90's.
I put many positive ideas on the table that would have saved a boatload of
money, but would have cut into certain peoples' "entitlements".

Now, as you have requested, I'm going to get out of the way. I have other
volunteer things on which to focus. Don't bother sending me a membership
renewal notice

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 Jim Oberholtzer
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 9:25 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: 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.