 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Major Keary |
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Dad's Army & the Young Turks
At the January Committee meeting some spirited discussion took place, mainly by way of an exchange of views between visitors and members of the Committee. It was largely to do with changes in the way Melb PC's public face is being presented and is symptomatic of the Group's changing organisational nature.
There are those-Young and less-than-young Turks - who want to manage our affairs in a purely commercial manner. On the other hand is Dad's Army, which remembers the contributions of volunteers and worries about the prospect of that dedicated band being pushed to one side.
The Young Turks have to remember that Melb PC was built on the efforts of volunteers and still relies heavily on voluntary input. Our presence at the PC shows would not be possible without Dad's Army. They need reminding, from time to time, that Dad's Army is not composed of reservists and Chelsea Pensioners. There is a body of still-active people with a range of skills and knowledge not always found among the Young Turks.
While country members may not realise it, there are few of us who have not been helped - directly or indirectly - by Doug Brooke and Tom Coleman, to name but two who glue their time and knowledge unstintingly.
There are arguments on both sides. Unfortunately the issues are sometimes confused by barrack-room lawyers, just as others may suffer from commercialitis - wanting every decision to be made on some personal perception of best business practice.
For those who complain about what the feel is a down-sizing of the volunteer base, remember that PC Update is produced as the result of many, many horns of voluntary work, as is the BBS maintained.
Melb PC's high standing to computer industry, both local and international, is the result of professional standards. That has been achieved by the voluntary work of many people who give up time that could be used for other, including business and professional, pursuits. It is not just members of Dad's Army who have contributed.
If we want to maintain and improve our position it is necessary to present a professional public face. For that reason our new premises are 'under new management'. It is not just because some Young Turk has a bent for economic rationalism. It is not because of any individual or corporate decision that Dad's Army is past it. There is, however, a need to change the way in which the office is run.
Life in Buddhist communities has left me with a yen for finding the middle way. Those who subscribe to either school of thought should eve over a little. I am leery of corporate hype and attitudes of write-it-off and it's-only-money, but am even less tolerant of bean counters.
What we don't need is to be led off the road by those whose balance is impaired by carrying chips-on-shoulder and those true believers, the omniscient ones, who know what the general membership wants - or what the general membership ought to want.
Reprinted from the March 1993 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
