In article <001101bf39d1$b96deb80$6dc460cb@oemcomputer>, on Mon, 29 Nov
1999 at 07:52:29, Roger Smith <URL: mailto:[log in to unmask]> writes
>Patrick wrote:
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>"only members with either personal wealth or financial support from their
>own government or institution can run for office within ICOM at ANY level.
>ICTOP considered that this has profound implications in relation to
>democracy within the organisation."
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I couldn't agree more Patrick and I am DELIGHTED that these issues are being
>debated with openess and frankness.  Hopefully these resolutions will result
>in action in the very near future to allow for greater equity in the
>organisation.
>
Now that the Internet makes it possible for many people to communicate
quickly, easily and cheaply, it should be possible to reduce the number
of meetings that people have to attend in person. It should then be less
of a burden for the organisation to fund attendance at those meetings
where personal presence is essential.

Email discussions and circulation of documents can often be more
productive than "real" meetings. People have time to consider issues and
express their views clearly rather than trying to get a point across
verbally when it may not be understood or remembered. What is said by
email is recorded and preserved rather than being assimilated into the
brief minutes of a meeting. Summaries of discussions and decisions can
still be produced by the committee secretary. There need be no
"apologies for absence", because people can respond at a time convenient
for them.

I know that some people do not yet have convenient access to email, but
in most cases it would be cheaper to provide that to them than to pay
the costs of international travel and accommodation.

Leonard Will
Membership Secretary, ICOM UK

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