proper procedure/civility/tolerance

Remove Robert's Rules....and then the longest-winded prevails.  Better to
bone up on the Rules yourself.  Indeed, we'd be well-served by having
training sessions in their proper usage. 

Most importantly, is to incorporate into our own, personal, individual
value systems, a commitment to a hearing of everyone's ideas, along the
lines of "I find abhorrent your ideas, Sir, but I will defend to the death
your right to say them." What famous person most notably and publicly made
approximately that statement?

Open discussion/strong debate SHOULD be used to shine a light on both
flaws and strengths of a given proposal  (there are not necessarily two
sides to everything; in some there might be three, or five).  BUT, in a
large group with limited time, there must also be means to bring a debate
to closure, at some point.

So, a culture of tolerance we need, cultivating the generation of ideas,
subject to an orderly process of considering them: Robert's Rules.

AND, we need to stand AGAINST our allies on an issue here and there, when
they propose to destroy debate. First protect the system, then advance
individual issues.
--- Doug Brown <[address removed]> wrote:

> Tim,
> 
> Don't give up.  I too was almost disgusted that at a party convention, a
> member of our party stated without hearing all the proposals that they
> would oppose every one.  Talk about close-minded.  One of the ideas that
> make me a member of the IP is that we are accepting of difference
> positions, and listen to everyone's ideas before making a decsion.  
> 
> I honestly think that Robert's Rules need to go out the door.  If we are
> unable to talk about changes within our own party because a few members
> that understand Robert's rules a little better then others can
> manipulate the system, then why have the discussion at all?  
> 
> I wasn't able to stay for the entire convention due to a family matter,
> but honestly, I was glad that I left when I did.   To say that I was
> disillusioned with the entire process is probably an understatement. 
> However, this is the framework we've been given to work with.  I think
> we need to work on getting the framework changed myself.  If we can do
> that, the free flowing of ideas can once again flourish in the IP, and
> make it a hotbed of political forward thinking that drives politics in
> the direction our party would have them go.  Even though we didn't get
> the best gubernatorial candidate elected, Peter's ideas aren't dead, and
> are currently driving the political machine in St. Paul.
> 
> We'll get there, don't give up.  The IP needs members that are willing
> to stand up for new ideas, ones untried before, to move the state and
> our country forward, in the right direction, to make it greater then
> before.
> 
> Thanks for your ideas Tim.  I appreciate them.
> 
> Doug Brown
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Tim Nelson <[address removed]>
> To: [address removed]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:39:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [independence-1] Platform convention
> 
> After reading all your thoughtful replies, I have been staring at this
> blinking cursor for over an hour. I don;t know what to say.
> 
> I'll try again, if they let me in the door. 
> 
> Tim Nelson
> 
> Peter Tharaldson <[address removed]> wrote:
> Tim- 
>  
> I am confused. The process we devised in 2005 worked well. We considered
> planks and changes one by one. The member that spoke was speaking
> against any additions to the platform.
>  
> One of the things that changed was to establish a base platform and then
> consider changes...that allows for a greater hearing of any
> changes...and in fact, unlike most platform conventions, we did get
> through every proposed change. About 1/2 of the additions were made, 1/2
> failed. 
>  
> Let's reintroduce your proposals on May 3rd. This time I think
> considering them as divided proposals would work well. I understand that
> they are all related to efficiencies from technology improvement, but
> that is a lot of wording to digest and it would be easier to handle them
> one by one.
>  
> The Platform gets another shot on May 3rd per the call of the
> convention. Try it again...I would be happy to help divide them in a
> stategic manner that would probably sell better.
>  
> Peter
>  
> As for not coming to the convention...it is always worth it. The choice
> is between giving up on the country and the state or doing something. We
> did a lot on Saturday....and maybe that was the problem...but people
> were excited.
>  
>  
>  
> 
> 
> Tim Nelson <[address removed]> wrote:
> I hope I never see a repeat of the behavior of a few of the "movers and
> shakers" at the morning session of the platform convention. If trying to
> prevent the motions for platform changes were not enough, the
> grandstanding to testify against every change by one member really took
> the cake.
> 
> Are you adults? Did you not know that a platform convention just might
> get involved with the platform? 
> 
> I considered leaving before my platform change came up. I felt that I
> didn't belong in that room, or in the party. When my turn came, my heart
> wasn't in it.
> 
> On a personal note, since my political viewpoint is so wrapped around
> the downsizing of the public sector through new technology, and the
> party is not, perhaps it would be for the best if I find myself a seat
> outside the party.
> 
> It has been nice to meet, and talk to many of you, especially Peter,
> Jack Uldrich, Peter Hutchinson, Red and the meetup groups.
> 
> Tim Nelson
> Golden Valley
> 
> 
> 
> 
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>      
>
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