Folks,
I don't know everything the board considered before deciding to delink Sandy
since I am no longer on the board. I can tell you that it had come to a
point of losing one or losing many. It had also spread beyond the state in
the form of numerous and repeated derogatory statements about the entire
NCGenWeb Project as well as the USGenWeb Project. This was not just a matter
of opinions but a real effort to paint the entire project in a negative
light and disparage the efforts of all.
No one would think of trying to repeat all that has transpired for more than
a year that culminated in this decision but hundreds in the project nation
wide have seen it. If others outside the NCGenWeb did not know better, they
would think the entire state was the cesspool of the USGenWeb instead of one
of the best states in the USGenWeb. The members of the NCGenWeb have seen
very little of this by design. Sandy knew the CCs in NCGenWeb might not be
influenced by her negativity but felt she might have more impact on the
national level. The USGenWeb Project has over 2000 members but on one
national mailing list, Sandy alone posted 10% of all messages and each was
either confrontational, demeaning or designed to encourage others to see the
entire USGenWeb in a negative light.
Sandy actually briefly resigned last year but was persuaded to remain by
3rd parties outside the state to do exactly what she has been doing, i.e.,
trying to create division among the membership. I do not doubt that there is
a very small group right now celebrating Sandy's victory to divide the CCs
in NCGenWeb. We only have to remember the tried and true practice of divide
and conquer.
As a state, we do need to get our house in order. We need to adopt By-Laws
that clearly spell out the responsibilities of the board as well as well as
the limits of board authority without a vote of the membership. We also
need to establish procedural rules that a majority of the membership can
support. We would all prefer to simply take care of our counties without
being bothered by doing the little things that keep us together but some
things do require our attention. The timing of Sandy's removal was not
the best and I imagine the board would be the first to admit it would have
been preferable to get our By-Laws in place first. The only problem is that
we would never have been able to adopt By-Laws because every word and
punctuation mark would have been debated ad nausea until everyone threw up
their hands.
I love the NCGenWeb because I know how much our collective efforts have
meant to thousands throughout the years. All the members who have been here
for many years know that we have operated in peace and quiet since we came
through the last major effort to divide and conquer 7 years ago. In turn we
have been able to attract some VERY talented new people who share our common
goals. I do hope that no matter what your personal opinion is about the
timing and manner of Sandy's departure that we come together as a state for
the good of all and researchers everywhere.
I do know what a fabulous group of volunteers we have serving on the new
board because it really is work. For the years I served as ASC, it was a
labor of love but still involved work that needed to be done so that all the
CCs could simply continue helping researchers. I could not be happier that
I can at last forget about the normal concerns that every board must address
and simply go back to working on my counties. However, I also recognize we
need to get our By-Laws and Procedural Rules in place. I can't speak for
the new board but I am sure they welcome all the comments and opinions
whether positive or negative. Ultimately the NCGenWeb belongs to each and
everyone of us and so we must come together long enough to get properly
organized so we will not have to do this again - at least in my lifetime ;)
Thanks to each and every one of you who have cared enough to voice your
opinion and thanks for tolerating my long winded note.
Nola