Well, let's keep in mind that the Convention is asynchronous, and the span
can be flexible without hotel reservations to worry about. It's Monday
morning here in Japan, but still Sunday in the Americas. Because of my
class schedule, I'd like to propose as much as possible today and then be
quiet for a couple days, and please see if you don't like my proposals.
Are there others who have worked in a Legislature, on constitution
writing and reform, or have led national organizations? Anyway, the
time synchronization issue points out the need for cyberspace
parliamentary procedures, a sort of Cyberbot's Rules of Order. E.g.,
"Who has the floor?" "Yeah, buddy, this is Jones the porpoise at the
Great Barrier Reef, and I'm quite near the floor." I think we could
develop parliamentary procedures for new age organizations, and it
could be proprietary knowledge of our organization for consulting
other organizations and so forth. If I had the time I'd go through each
principle of Robert's Rules of Order and consider how the _principle_
applies to the new medium.
Before we set up _subject-specific_ committees (including K-12 and
non-traditional higher education), we more urgently need Steering
Committee members and others to lead or participate in certain
_organizational_ committees and appointed roles. Besides
parliamentary procedures, we need disinterested volunteers to
compile agreed-upon points, keep track of the growing list of
Steering Committee members, receive votes and proctor elections.
Also consider what is part of the Constitution _per se_ and what
belongs in the Bylaws, such as committees and specific definitions of
posts. The Statement of Purpose in the Constitution can also help us
draft the letter inviting the rest of the online education world to join us.
Those who could serve as disinterested volunteers please contact me at
<steve_mc@ws0.kagawa-jc.ac.jp>.
As for exactly when the Convention will start, there will be a message
on the Web BBS starting something like: "Ahhhem. Testing 1,2,3. Can you
hear me? Ladies and gentlemen, let us make history starting today ..."
Steve McCarty
Professor, Kagawa Junior College, Japan