From DSmith2361@aol.com Tue Apr 15 19:08:03 1997 Return-Path: Received: from research.research.bell-labs.com by drmail.dr.lucent.com (4.1/EMS-L SunOS) id AA14848 for neal; Tue, 15 Apr 97 19:08:02 MDT Received: from emout30.mail.aol.com ([198.81.11.135]) by research; Tue Apr 15 21:05:22 EDT 1997 Received: (from root@localhost) by emout30.mail.aol.com (8.7.6/8.7.3/AOL-2.0.0) id UAA03303; Tue, 15 Apr 1997 20:55:43 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 20:55:43 -0400 (EDT) From: DSmith2361@aol.com Message-Id: <970415201420_775627962@emout02.mail.aol.com> To: calebb@teleport.com, crayton_berner@ccm.co.intel.com, dbergman@evolvnet.com, Gestaltt@aol.com, KKrause105@aol.com, lfred@pps.k12.or.us, lhowe@europa.com, lintobey@juno.com, marshas@canby.com, mulan@ix.netcom.com, nancy_stueber@omsi.edu, nealmcb@bell-labs.com, pmorris@teleport.com, roconnor@pps.k12.or.us, skoch@teleport.com, stand@straight-on.com, stephen.thompson@mci.com, sue_ridge@class.orednet.org, tbakke@informationage.com, viacalx@europa.com, vmegler@vnet.ibm.com, wbean@pcc.edu, yates@europa.com Subject: Minutes of 4/10/97 Meeting of Tech & Biz Status: OR Here are excellent minutes of a good (but not well-attended) meeting of Tech & Biz, courtesy of Citizen Larrry Oeth. ----------------***------------------ TechBiz Issues Committee - Minutes of 4/10/97 Meeting The Right Reverend Duncan Smith and Father Dick O'Connor presiding. 7:45am - The meeting started promptly at its 7:30 am appointed time. Invocations, mumbling, and private laughter between our peerless leaders garnered full attention as we all strained to hear the punch lines. Punishment for earlier missing his minute-taking commitment is meted out to Larry Oeth, who gallantly refuses the title "Sir," choosing the more revolutionary [and humble] "Citizen." Father Dick concisely discussed: Comparative religion based on a reduced-carbon format; The Natural Step conference at the Nike Center (save the world for $125); and an upcoming Archetype program by Joell and Jolinda, "Heroic Journeys at School," April 29th. Duncan suggested the archetype format is a superior tool for classifying than gender/race/etc., giving us a new perspective rather than old stereotypes. [Joell has wondered whether anyone might be interested in discussing archetypes and other esoteric subjects at a brew pub. Please let your chaireverends know.] Stan the Innocent is lured unsuspectingly into discussing an arcane technical aspect of the Club's Web domain (should we upgrade our status in order to, among other things, eliminate the "~pdxcc" from our address-- http//www.pdxcityclub.org/~pdxcc) only to find himself sucked into the vortex of the meeting's main discussion topic: What's wrong with the City Club and can the Web Site / Internet help solve its problems? Upgrading the internet status would cost approximately $100/month unless we receive service through donation. This typically is arranged with a quid pro quo of recognizing the donor on the Web page - which seems to be against currently understood Club policy. [We will get some clarification from the chiefs before starting our crusade.] This restriction opened a Pandor a's Box of comments (all put forth with considerable emotion) about control of Club activities. Stan stated his beliefs: Portland is a world class city, and the Club is an integral feature of it. Why not show ourselves off properly -- really allow the Web site to be interactive instead of brochure-oriented? Father O'Connor - What's our vision for the Web Page? How is it to be promoted? The process seemed "lugubrious" [L. lugubris, mournful, < lugeo, to weep; Gr. lygros, sad.] [and they said Latin is a dead language!] Rt. Rev. Smith attempted to lead us out of the wilderness with a suggestion of proposing to maintain/expand the Web Site with only limited Board involvement. By the way...are we all enjoying the Science Breakfasts currently advertised on the Web Page? [Reference thereto will be quietly eliminated until we actually schedule one.] Citizen Larry got excited and rashly suggested doing something using the Internet/Web Page to demonstrate its usefulness. Perhaps study school funding vs. educational success and drawing on the huge volume of K-12 information available. Lew Frederick suggested that any such endeavor be strictly limited in focus. Past education committees bogged down and never produced anything. Their scope expanded exponentially as each topic was explored. Rt. Rev. Smith suggested Oeth follow church etiquette and produce a One Minute Proposal. The discussion resumed its earlier track of bashing THEM, without identifying who THEY are. Just who is resisting the expansion and creative use of the Web Site? With the Club's limited financial resources, the Web is just the ticket to outreach, promote and interest new members. It can also be used to facilitate communication among the various Issue Committees. Lew noted the School Board's site has had 48,000 hits in the Nov-April period. 8:51 - Father O'Conner and his 2 archetypes skip out on a journey. Back to the discussion of coordinating Issue Committees among each other and with the Board. This is not really happening since Nancy Martin left. How do we replace her function? Does the Board really understand what we are and what we do (we=Issue Committees)? Lew expressed surprise that the perception exists of a break between them (the Board/Staff/focal center of the Club) and us (Issue Committees). Historically there has been significant interaction. The Club did reduce the number of Issue Committees in a reorganization just prior to his joining. His frustration - Why no Education Issue Committee? Rt. Rev. Smith suggested that members now receive a fragmented set of Club facts and no history. The City Club is an ongoing STORY which needs to be told and retold. This is not happening, in part because of membership turnover, in part because of other factors. Can the Web Site be used to assemble and then relate the STORY? Its interactive nature would allow the STORY to grow over time and be easily accessed with low maintenance. The gathered Committeeites sat in awed silence. [semi-awed maybe] Lew said that Tech & Biz is considered to be "out there," "on the edge," "strangely dysfunctional due to early rising habits... but nonetheless one of the most dynamic groups in the Club." Also, the City Club is unusual due to volunteers conducting research, not paid staff. Historically, this has added prestige and impact to our work. 9:15 - Time is waning and several more Archetypes begin their journey for the day. Rt. Rev. Smith re-emphasized the STORY/WEBSITE motif, then adjourned the meeting. Stan, Duncan, Dick, and maybe Linda will get together to put together a preliminary proposal. Note from Taker of the Minutes: I sensed that everyone left more energized than has been the case after other meetings. Are we beginning to move? [Note from the Chair--We have been moving. This is just more of it! The Telecommunications series is a big part of our movement this year. So is the Web site and its potential. More to come. Stay tuned. Or is it turn on and tune out?] Your humble Citizen, Larry Oeth