[RITSlist] RITS

[Steven Suhs]

Everyone
   
  We must remember here that not ALL RITS members are on the RITSLIST. I think the numbers show we have somewhere in the vicinity of 250-300 persons on RTISLSIT. I'm sure Mr. Tinder has the exact figures. Not all of them are RITS members. Also one has to consider those who might not even own computers or internet access or even want them.
   
  Information to ALL members has to use snail-mail.
   
  While I do agree that there should be some sort of members forum to sort out issues such as those being discussed, It will take someone to handle that.. Is someone willing to step up and volunteer? 
   
  Maybe we should make the RITSLIST member only and either establish a public forum list on Yahoo or use one of the current  RI related yahoo group for public forum stuff.
   
  nuff said on this subject
   
  Steve Suhs

Arkrail at aol.com wrote:
          Tom,
   
  Great points.  A members only list is fairly easy to establish on Yahoo or elsewhere, and posting this information would provide some badly needed "transparancy" to all board actions.  
   
  The RITS-member list could be used strictly for organizational matters, with all rail history/modeling discussions being conducted on the present (public) RITS list.
   
  In this day and time, both the expense and the delay factor argue against using snail-mail as a primary means of communication for most members.
   
  Bill Pollard

   
  In a message dated 5/15/2007 11:50:15 AM Central Daylight Time, rocketman4 at gmail.com writes:
  Well, I might as well get into the mix and make this suggestion.
Matters that relate more to the business of RITS should not be hashed
out here in the public arena. My feeling is that this debate and other
debates I have seen on this list about RITS matters (not Rock Island
matters) while sincere, have bordered on bickering and do not reflect
well on us as an organization. Had I paid more attention to the RITS
List before I joined RITS, I may have been dissuaded from becoming a
member myself. What do you  suppose a potential member thinks when he
or she reads these interchanges?

Please understand that I think these exchanges need to take place in
the context of respect and common good of the society. I just think
that RITS should provide the "members only" venue to do so. Maybe this
has been tried before and failed. If so, please tell me so and why it
didn't work. If we had a members only RITS List, then I believe we
could have a more free exchange of ideas, avoid airing our dirty
laundry to everyone, and limit the discussion to those who have
INVESTED themselves into RITS (members) and not to those only
interested in RITS, (non-members) there is a difference!

I still think a "Rock Island" list would benefit all interested in our
beloved railroad, but a "RITS" list should be reserved for the members
only. Looking at my membership list, it seems that at least half of us
have internet connectivity. I think we should utilize the
accessibility and immediacy of the internet and the RITS website to
enhance communications in our society.  This would allow the officers
and board of directors to officially comment on actions, decisions,
etc. (such as recently have occurred) swiftly, cheaply and privately.
If sending information on a private list does not appeal to members, I
would suggest using email messages as an alternative to a members list
serve or regular mail in order to be good stewards of our members
money.

At a quick glance, it would appear the society would have to spend
between $350-$400 US just to send out an announcement of the recent
board decision. Money will be saved if the announcement is sent in or
with the newsletter, but, the delay in getting the news to the members
is counterproductive and causes discord evidenced by preceding entries
on the RTIS List. We are so geographically diverse, we need a place to
communicate the internal affairs of RITS to stay informed.

It is my belief that if we have a place to communicate with each other
in a manner that is feasible and immediate, such as our own RITS List
for members, we can make ourselves stronger and more united as a
group. I am just getting going with RITS. I am discouraged because I
keep hearing of internal strife, money issues, and politics.  I
understand that these topics infect all organizations to varying
degrees.  I just hate to think I joined the society on the eve of it's
own "March, 1980"...

Respectfully yours,

Tom Stoffer




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