The recent discussions indicate that the list-serve has much to offer the SD
(and possibly a larger) community. It can be used to organize and promote
working panels on key issues plus provide support to the SD Society as
needed.
For example, if we did want to develop standards for external consumption
(and practitioner use) - as opposed to the work of the curriculum committee
whose work is more for internal consumption (and academic use), we could
start with the literature in the Desert Island Dynamics bibliography, form
groups, including a general steering group, and work to clearly state what
constitutes valid SD practice in-the-field (e.g. client projects.) Working
papers could be posted on the SD Society Website. On the website, contact
links would show the email address of group members with one link to send
email to all group members. Thus, the process could remain open to all who
wanted to add input or participate.
Many of us cannot regularly attend the SD conference due to schedule or
financial limitations. However, all of us can work closely, independent of
world locations, using email, the SD Society Web site, and this list serve.
We can form electronic working groups - that would also be well served by
utilizing existing Society chapters and interest groups.
There are possibly hosts of issues that list-serve participants would like
to pursue more completely. The SD Society itself could also use the list
serve more effectively for serving its needs. As issues arose, the Society
could obtain the pulse of the SD community through email "voting." I often
hear that there are not enough reviewers for SDR articles. A call on the
list serve would produce an abundant list of willing reviewers. Hearing
positions and updates from Society officers on relevant issues would be a
welcomed (routine?) addition to the list-serve.
To make this use of the list-serve work, we would need at least three
"things." The simply one is organization. If there is a topic, project, or
issue that appears a group wants to pursue (recognized as such on the
list-serve discussion), I am willing to have those who are interested send a
note to me and I will then collect all the email addresses in one email to
inform everybody who else is interested. (The notes should also indicate
whether there is an interest in being the facilitator for the group.) The
"email group" can then work out among themselves how to proceed with the
project -- possibly coming back to the list serve for help or requests as
needed. Going on to the second, point, if we want to make these efforts a
fundamental part of the SD society, then we need to have a process to obtain
approval from and add web pages to the SD Society site. That means formal
work for somebody on the Society side.
This point then leads to the third and last point. It seems to me that the
officers of the society primarily play a formal organizational role and an
honorary role. That role should maybe be expanded to a directorship (or
leadership, if you like) role. If the president of the society (soon to be
Jim Hines, who frequents the list serve), made a request or gave a position
(as the president of the Society), it would carry significant weight and
recognition. The direction of the Society is probably best formalized
within the executive (or development) committee. The executive decision to
formally recognize (and possibly set boundaries for) the "groups" noted
above would be a requirement, (I would think) before the groups efforts
could be included on the Society web site.
If this sounds like something worthwhile, "cast your vote" by responding via
the list serve. If it is doesnt seem worthwhile, let it die from silence.
[ Hosts Notes: Votes that are purely votes will not be posted. I would welcome
a discussion of the issues that George has raised and hope that we will hear from
Jack Pugh who has been thinking about some of these.
]
George
George Backus, President
Policy Assessment Corporation
14604 West 62nd Place
Arvada, CO 80004-3621
Bus: 303-467-3566
Fax: 303-467-3576
Cell: 303-807-8579
Email:
George_Backus@ENERGY2020.com