Hi All,
I have pretty much just sat back and read these e-mails for the past
week or two, mainly for two reasons. #1 I am new, and not exaclty
positive what the whole purpose of these bylaws is (I feel that as long
as the people visiting these pages are are satisfied, nothing else
matters... THEY are why I am doing what I am doing, not for prestige and
a feeling of greatness). and #2 I am new, having only been doing this
for two months, and really did not feel right about spouting off when I
have as mentioned, a very slight idea of what is going on. But since
Mike asked so nicely for input, here is mine.
(I appologize if anything i am about to say offends anyone, but we
were asked to chime in and I am doing so) I run the McKean County page
along the same guidlines of the county it represents, warm, kind, and
for the people. What has been done to the McKean County page in the
past two months are NOT my ideas, but the ideas of the people that visit
it, it is not MY page, USGenWeb's page... it is THIER (the visitors)
page. I have a formal mailing list for research, and ALSO have a
personal list in which I ask.. actually I BEG my visitors for thier
input on my ideas before I even make changes. To be totally honest,
although I like the design, and do not mind obiding by the laws that
were set when I began, if the visitors didnt like the logo... heck yea..
it would be gone with a little "associated with USGenweb" text box as
replacement.
So now to my point, if the point of the USGenWeb project is to Aid
researchers in finding information in thier genealogical journeys... and
we are making them happy, then why are these bylaws needed, other than
an attempt for someone to feel in charge? Also as I stated, i run the
mcKean genweb the same as I feel the county itself is run, wouldn't it
make sense to run the USGenWeb project a little bit like the Country it
represents and add a sparkling touch of democracy? We have the freedom
(with the exception of a few things, that by neccesity are needed, like
all counties have common needs, in reality and on-line), but from what
everyone has been saying, i take it as they are expecting this to be
demolished by these bylaws.
Now, i must also add... through the dozens of e-mails I have been
sifting through, I have seen all but one person NOT defending these
bylaws... does that in anyway reflect what a vote would be? Think about
that, if the general consensus is "Well I would like a little more proof
that they are needed before a board is even thought about being set."
Shouldnt that perk the attention of The State coordinators, or higher
ups, whoever is in charge of this thing (I dont even have a clue on that
one anymore!)? As I stated before, I am not here to offend anyone. i
am mearly offering my views, ideas, and (humble) Opinions. I have seen
some sites for us to visit, seen quotes from other people posted thrown
up ... but I am really interested on personal opinions on the entire
project. I am interested in what EVERYONE has to say... we are all
equally important in my eyes... without people who are good enough to
volunteer thier time, whether it be look-ups, working on the pages,
researching, helping our visitors through a rough spot... anything, the
whole project would be inefficiant. I know that I am young, and may be
a little wide open when it comes to ideas, and a little down on
conformity, but I live by the same law as Ken (I believe)... It it aint
broke, dont fix it.
Not to make things sound intence or anything... but does anyone
remember WWII? The ideas of one man trying to make things "BETTER" for
the world when they were fine, kinda set the world on a rampage...
Sometimes listening to the little people works... :)
Mary
McKean County GenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~pamckean/