




From: "Jerry D. Harris" <102354.2222@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 19:42:09 -0400
Subject: OUSA ....

Message text written by Origami List
>  What indeed do I gain from
being a member of OUSA?
        A few issues a year of The Paper.
        The right to attend the annual convention.
        A 10% discount on supplies.
        Access to a rather baroque and very difficult to use lending
library.
        [Many of these points were made in Allen's letter.]<

        I have not (yet?) received "The Letter," but I'm quite intrigued by
the whole thing. To address some of Doug's points above:  yes, we get a
newsletter (and I'd like to say that it is quite nice compared to
newsletters I get from some other organizations).  I don't know that
membership is required to attend the convention -- the last (and only) time
I attended one was in '89 and, IIRC, membership wasn't a requirement to
attend, although it _was_ required to take the classes.  A 10% discount on
store products is nice, but not outstanding, particularly in light of the
availability of many of their products elsewhere at steeper discounts.
I've never even tried to use the library, so I can't comment on that.

        One thing that OUSA really ought to make a top priority is in
helping members who are prolific creators publish compilations of models --
the BOS does this, and I have yet to hear a complaint about it (other than
"We want more!")  Alternatively, they could act in some way to represent
such creators to publishing companies to help put more original origami
books out on the open market.

>What is most disturbing is that the main office doesn't seem to want to
expand their vision beyound the New York skyline.<

        This has been a sore point with me about OUSA since I first joined
way back around '88.  In particular, I failed (and still fail) to see why
the conventions are consistently in NYC, just about the most expensive
place to get to, stay in, and get around in, in the country.  Again, I
haven't been to an ori-con since '89, when there was probably 200 people
there; I can only guess that the number of attendees has grown a bit since
then (and would be substantially larger if all the people who _wanted_ to
come _did_ come!).  Another organization to which I belong, the Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology, has been holding annual conventions since the
'50's, back when attendance (and membership!) counted only in the double
digits; today's conventions attract around 800 people!  (Compared to things
like medical conventions, this is _still_ tiny!)  Nevertheless, since its
founding, the SVP has been composed of national and international members,
was composed of a nationally diverse board, and held its conferences in a
different city every year (around the US, southern Canada, and Mexico).
Given the size of OUSA, it baffles me why similar governing and geographic
diversity isn't exploited.  By forcing the group's perspective on NYC, it
greatly limits the diversity of governors and attendees -- in an art that
prides itself on its close-knit internal community, this is patently
absurd.

>The benefits to members outside of that area are,
as listed above, rather uncompelling.  I know at least six folders in
the Pittsburgh area who don't belong because they find no reason too.
Some have tried for a year or two, but quit.<

        I did, too -- I was a member for about 3-4 years, then quit; I've
only this year rejoined (and then only because, since I am writing my own
origami book, I would like to be more up-to-date on all the goings-on of
the origami community).  Like those Doug mentioned, I am not overly
thrilled with the cost/benefit ratio of membership...

>What I find just beyond comprehension is why OUSA would restrict its
board membership.  Do other national organizations really do this?  Do
you have to live within an hour or two of the "main office" to be a
board member?<

        As someone else commented on the list, this kind of restriction may
be illegal -- I'm certainly no lawyer, and can't comment on the legality
issue.  As for what other organizations do -- as above, other organizations
of which I'm a member don't enforce this particular restriction --
paleontology, like origami, works far better as a geographically diverse
science/art than it does by limiting input.  I do believe that SVP requires
board members to travel for meetings -- but then again, they hold board
meetings along with the conventions, so travel is only required once, not
twice, a year, making it easier on the pocketbook.  But even disregarding
that, I'm not sure why board meetings have to be held "in person" --
certainly the advent of e-mail, teleconferencing, web chat, etc., makes
physical travel unnecessary?  Is there some legal reason that any board
issue _has_ to be decided face-to-face?

        Anyway, that's my $0.02 on the matter...

 _,_
 ____/_\,) .. _
--____-===( _\/ \\/ \-----_---__
 /\ ' ^__/>/\____\--------
__________/__\_ ____________________________.//__.//_________

 Jerry D. Harris
 Fossil Preparation Lab
 New Mexico Museum of Natural History
 1801 Mountain Rd NW
 Albuquerque NM 87104-1375
 Phone: (505) 899-2809
 Fax: (505) 841-2866
 102354.2222@compuserve.com





From: "Jerry D. Harris" <102354.2222@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 19:49:23 -0400
Subject: OUSA's Lending Library

Message text written by Origami List
> OUSA does have rare
origami books that are not replaceable and that we can't afford to
risk loosing in the mail.  So they stay in the home office.  We
feel that we are serving the public by maintaining this archive,
so that at least *somewhere* there will be a good collection of
origami books throughout history.  And personally, I think keeping them
in NYC is a more efficient solution to the problem of making these
books readily available than, say, to house them in Lubbock, Texas.
But we'd love to hear any suggestions people might have about the use
and management of the OUSA library.<

        What about the possibility of making good quality xerox copies of
these books and making the xeroxes available for lending, while keeping the
genuine object in a safer, managed collection?  Similar things are done
with fossils (making casts widely available of real fossils).  If it's just
for lending this way, I don't perceive that there would be any copyright
issues.

 _,_
 ____/_\,) .. _
--____-===( _\/ \\/ \-----_---__
 /\ ' ^__/>/\____\--------
__________/__\_ ____________________________.//__.//_________

 Jerry D. Harris
 Fossil Preparation Lab
 New Mexico Museum of Natural History
 1801 Mountain Rd NW
 Albuquerque NM 87104-1375
 Phone: (505) 899-2809
 Fax: (505) 841-2866
 102354.2222@compuserve.com





From: Joseph Wu <josephwu@ULTRANET.CA>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 20:28:56 -0700
Subject: Re: national organization

At 19:14 1999-04-05 -0700, Allen Parry wrote:
>First, I find that two from Massechusetts (a 4 1/2 hour drive to New York)
>and one from California is not diverse enough to represent the majority
>(75%) of the membership (of close to 1,800, it has been declining in the
>last few years).
>
>Secondly, I don't understand why we should be satiated with three board
>members representing us and one of them (Tom) quick to respond and slow to
>listen to his constituiency.  I know that if we had the same percentage
>representation in the United States government, there would be a lot of
>people up in arms.

Fair enough. But "the letter" seemed to say that no non-New Yorkers were
allowed to be on the board. That is what I was trying to refute.

>Third, it is a simple fact, we were disqualified from running this year. A
>disqualification we don't believe OrigamiUSA is permitted by the
>organization's bylaws nor from New York state law.  As members, we should
>have the right to enjoy the same privileges as any other member; including
>the right to run for office.

This is also fair enough. But look at it from a third party's point of view:
a rather inflammatory letter arrives asking people to rise up in arms against
a corrupt leadership. The only information is that which is contained in the
letter. Looks like an attempted coup, doesn't it?

>No, I don't find it ridiculous and I find it odd that you find it such.
>Are things that different in Vancouver, Canada?

As I said, the "ridiculous" comment only applied to that one assertion. The
main issues are obviously not, and this discussion is a healthy step. What I
would urge is an attempt to stick to facts, and not to deliberately use
tactics that play on people's emotions (even though this is an emotional
issue). That would only lead to endless cycles of bickering that would help
no one.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Wu, Origami Artist and Multimedia Producer
t: 604.730.0306 x 105   f: 604.732.7331  e: josephwu@ultranet.ca
w: http://www.origami.vancouver.bc.ca





From: Marcus Hanson <hecatomb@CARROLLSWEB.COM>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 20:36:05 -0500
Subject: read me

Like a sheep I will participate if all of you will.

THE GREAT "GAS OUT"
>> > > >
>> > > > It's time we did something about the price
>> > > > of gasoline in America!  We are all sick and
>> > > > tired of high prices when there are literally
>> > > > millions of gallons in storage.
>> > > >      Know what I found out?  If there was just
>> > > > ONE day when no one purchased any
>> > > > gasoline, prices would drop drastically.
>> > > >      The so-called oil cartel has decided to
>> > > > slow production by some 2 million barrels
>> > > > per day to drive up the price.  I have decided
>> > > > to see how many Americans we can get
>> > > > to NOT BUY ANY GASOLINE on one
>> > > > particular day!
>> > > >      Let's have a GAS OUT!  Do not buy any
>> > > > gasoline on APRIL 30, 1999!!!!!
>> > > > Buy on Thursday before, or Saturday after.
>> > > > Do not buy any gasoline on FRIDAY,
>> > > > APRIL 30, 1999.
>> > > >      Wanna help?  Send this message to
>> > > > everyone you know.  Ask them to do the same.
>> > > > All we need is a few million to participate in
>> > > > order to make a difference.





From: Perry Bailey <pbailey@OPENCOMINC.COM>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 20:43:08 -0500
Subject: Re: national organization

Joseph Wu wrote:

> As you say, control is a double-edged sword. Take Perry Bailey's situation,
     for
> example. One volunteer was kind enough to cut him some slack. Another
     volunteer
> was inflexible and gave him grief. How can this person be held accountable?
> What sort of punishment could be meted out to someone who is a volunteer? Can
> we even be sure who that particular volunteer was? Besides, if the second
> volunteer is to be punished, shouldn't the first one also be punished for
> arbitrarily making a decision that costs the organization money? These are
> people problems, and the board is faced with the thankless task of ruling on
> such situations while keeping everyone happy. How can you blame them for
     taking
> a median stance?

I don't, thats why I didn't give any of the peoples names out that I had trouble
with, the point of the posting of telling the story at all was to show an
     attitude
that is becoming more and more "New York against them".  Obviosly I am not
     alone in
the feeling or we would be airing all of this on the list, I resent being
     labeled
one of them, but I can't afford to move to New York to become one of the gang
either!

Aint no easy answers out there folks, I think there will be change, but in which
dirrection?

Perry

--
pbailey@opencominc.com
http://www.afgsoft.com/perry/  <---- Origami Web Page with Diagrams!
ICQ 23622644





From: Steve and Sallie Buck <folder@DC.NET>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:11:56 -0400
Subject: Re: ORIGAMI Digest - 4 Apr 1999 to 5 Apr 1999

Greetings and Salutations to my fellow folders on the list,

Well it looks like something has hit the fan, as evidenced by Mr. Hull's recent
commentary. The following are my own opinions and have not been discussed with
     Mr.
Parry or anyone else. I would like to take this opportunity to respond, as one
     of
the members of OUSA who volunteered to run for the board this year and was
     excluded
simply by where I live (this procedure is called "redlining" in the insurance
industry). Let me ask some constructive questions rather than talk about"..
whining..." or "...inflammatory, erroneous and childish..."  opinions.  Mr.
     Hull,
please remember that there are at least two sides to every issue, usually more,
     and
they all may be very rational and understandable, whether you agree or not.
Perhaps your time as a board member has colored your views.  I can only
     speculate
as I do not know you.  In any case, let me first say that no one, I repeat no
     one,
is particiating in this discussion to "overthrow" the current board. We are only
asking that 1) the elections be conducted leaglly, based on the bylaws and 2) if
conducted legally, all board positions be open to all OUSA members. The by-laws
     do
not limit nominations in this manner. (I still have no indication as to how the
three non-local positions were created.)  Please realize that an open election
     does
not guarantee the successful election or re-election of any member.  We are only
asking for the OPPORTUNITY to run.  If we lose, then the membership will have
spoken and I will be the first to congratulate those who will serve.
        Let me also say that I very much appreciate and am awed by the wonderful
work that the board members and the volunteers do, not only at the convention
     but
throughout the year to keep OUSA running. And all as volunteers.  It is truly
amazing and a testament to people who believe as I do, that Origami can truly
     be a
labor of love.
           Mr. Hull, you have made several other good points which I do not have
the specific experience to comment on. But I ask you, why is there no local
Manhattan origami group?  It seems logical to expect that there be one with all
     of
the local New York talent and interest in folding. Is it because the two(local
     and
OUSA groups) have somehow been created as one?  Historically, this makes sense.
But it appears as though the two need to separate for OUSA to specifically serve
the USA, not the greater metropolitan New York area.  After all, Americans from
Hawaii to Seattle and Miami to Portland send in dues faithfully each year and
cannot attend folding sessions. Cannot view the rare books in the library.
     Cannot
serve on the board when they are able to. Perhaps we are just asking that we
     (the
members) have more say in how our monies are spent.  I hope you don't find this
threatening - it is not intended that way.
            I believe the tone of Allen's letter comes from frustration at being
ignored.  I would have expected that the board would have communicated his
     concerns
to the rest of the membership either in the Paper or as a special mailing or on
this list or on the OUSA web site. But he has done it for you, and for all of
     us,
and is hoping for a constructive discussion of the issues.
            It appears from your response to the letter that several issues beg
     to
be clarified by the board, especially opportunities for volunteering. As an
architect, I know that effective communication, in any medium, is the only way
     to
try to avoid misunderstandings and communicate each member's rights and
responsibilities.
            You and I and Allen Parry have started the discussion.  The only
response to my nomination from the board was a beautifully written, polite and
clear letter rejecting my nomination.  The ballot did not mention the issue.
     When
will we hear from the Board in an official capacity? It is they to whom the
questions are addressed.
            Mr. Hull, I respect your point of view, whether or not I agree with
     it
and I look forward to meeting you at the Convention.  I believe that this
organization is full of
very creative, intelligent and sensitive people both on and off the Board and I
have confidence that they can hold a lucid, thought provoking discussion to
     opening
up the board to all members.

Thanks for the opportunity to continue the discussion,

Sincerely,

Steve Buck
Silver Spring, Maryland





From: Howard Portugal <howardp@FAST.NET>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:26:07 -0700
Subject: Re: ORIGAMI Digest - 4 Apr 1999 to 5 Apr 1999

Well said Steve!

Steve and Sallie Buck wrote:

> Greetings and Salutations to my fellow folders on the list,
>
> Well it looks like something has hit the fan, as evidenced by Mr. Hull's
     recent
> commentary. The following are my own opinions and have not been discussed
     with Mr.
> Parry or anyone else. I would like to take this opportunity to respond, as
     one of
> the members of OUSA who volunteered to run for the board this year and was
     excluded
> simply by where I live (this procedure is called "redlining" in the insurance
> industry). Let me ask some constructive questions rather than talk about"..
> whining..." or "...inflammatory, erroneous and childish..."  opinions.  Mr.
     Hull,
> please remember that there are at least two sides to every issue, usually
     more, and
> they all may be very rational and understandable, whether you agree or not.
> Perhaps your time as a board member has colored your views.  I can only
     speculate
> as I do not know you.  In any case, let me first say that no one, I repeat no
     one,
> is particiating in this discussion to "overthrow" the current board. We are
     only
> asking that 1) the elections be conducted leaglly, based on the bylaws and 2)
     if
> conducted legally, all board positions be open to all OUSA members. The
     by-laws do
> not limit nominations in this manner. (I still have no indication as to how
     the
> three non-local positions were created.)  Please realize that an open
     election does
> not guarantee the successful election or re-election of any member.  We are
     only
> asking for the OPPORTUNITY to run.  If we lose, then the membership will have
> spoken and I will be the first to congratulate those who will serve.
>         Let me also say that I very much appreciate and am awed by the
     wonderful
> work that the board members and the volunteers do, not only at the convention
     but
> throughout the year to keep OUSA running. And all as volunteers.  It is truly
> amazing and a testament to people who believe as I do, that Origami can truly
     be a
> labor of love.
>            Mr. Hull, you have made several other good points which I do not
     have
> the specific experience to comment on. But I ask you, why is there no local
> Manhattan origami group?  It seems logical to expect that there be one with
     all of
> the local New York talent and interest in folding. Is it because the
     two(local and
> OUSA groups) have somehow been created as one?  Historically, this makes
     sense.
> But it appears as though the two need to separate for OUSA to specifically
     serve
> the USA, not the greater metropolitan New York area.  After all, Americans
     from
> Hawaii to Seattle and Miami to Portland send in dues faithfully each year and
> cannot attend folding sessions. Cannot view the rare books in the library.
     Cannot
> serve on the board when they are able to. Perhaps we are just asking that we
     (the
> members) have more say in how our monies are spent.  I hope you don't find
     this
> threatening - it is not intended that way.
>             I believe the tone of Allen's letter comes from frustration at
     being
> ignored.  I would have expected that the board would have communicated his
     concerns
> to the rest of the membership either in the Paper or as a special mailing or
     on
> this list or on the OUSA web site. But he has done it for you, and for all of
     us,
> and is hoping for a constructive discussion of the issues.
>             It appears from your response to the letter that several issues
     beg to
> be clarified by the board, especially opportunities for volunteering. As an
> architect, I know that effective communication, in any medium, is the only
     way to
> try to avoid misunderstandings and communicate each member's rights and
> responsibilities.
>             You and I and Allen Parry have started the discussion.  The only
> response to my nomination from the board was a beautifully written, polite and
> clear letter rejecting my nomination.  The ballot did not mention the issue.
     When
> will we hear from the Board in an official capacity? It is they to whom the
> questions are addressed.
>             Mr. Hull, I respect your point of view, whether or not I agree
     with it
> and I look forward to meeting you at the Convention.  I believe that this
> organization is full of
> very creative, intelligent and sensitive people both on and off the Board and
     I
> have confidence that they can hold a lucid, thought provoking discussion to
     opening
> up the board to all members.
>
> Thanks for the opportunity to continue the discussion,
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Steve Buck
> Silver Spring, Maryland

--
Howard Portugal, Woodinville, WA email:howardp@fast.net
---------------------------------------------------
"A problem worthy of attack, proves its worth by fighting back." -- Piet Hein





From: MrsCalbash@AOL.COM
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:41:50 -0400 (
Subject: Re: OUSA ....

I have been a member of OUSA--or its previous avatar--for some 11 or 12 years
now.
For some years I have made contributions above the basic membership level,
because I find it to be one of the most satisfying organizations I have ever
joined.
The newsletter is generally excellent, with its blend of information about
people, products, and the practice of Origami; news (some about people I may
never have heard of, but the world is full of people like that); and actual
diagrams to keep me trying new thingsand remind me that folding is, after
all, what Origami is about.  I know how much effort is involved in producing
even the briefest newsletter, and it should not be underestimated.
The convention is a fabulous experience, and the sense of community I find
there is powerful.  I have made friendships there that extend beyond the
Origami connection.  I have been involved in a number of organizations,
including one which mounts a large annual conference (which takes a full year
of effort on the part of volunteers to stage), so I know how difficult it is
to run such a show.   Just the finding of a suitable venue can be an
insurmountable difficulty--so when one has a good location, changing it
should not be considered without a solid alternative.  I also know that such
operations generally rely on the same core of dedicated volunteers who carry
far more than their share--and sometimes burn out as a result--because most
others are not in a position to make the necessary commitment, for whatever
reason.  The larger the metropolitan area, the larger the potential pool of
dedicated volunteers.
The supply center has also been a lifeline to me, back in the dark days when
the internet did not offer such an array of alternative sources, and when
bookstores did not usually stock a large number of Origami books.   There was
a time when it was about the only show around, although those in these easier
days may not appreciate that.
And finally, this is an organization which does not solicit further
contributions from me, nor does it supply my address to others, so they can
bombard me with solicitations.  It provides services I value without making
me feel I should be doing more.
Thanks to all those who have discussed this on the list.  When I received
'the letter', I wondered what it all meant.  I figured contributors to the
list would enlighten me.  I have not been disappointed.
Leslie Blanding





From: Dorothy Engleman <FoldingCA@WEBTV.NET>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:49:52 -0700
Subject: Re: OUSA ....(Tom Hull)

Tom,

I really appreciate your feedback.  Would it be possible for other OUSA
Board Members to participate in this discussion? Thank you.

Dorothy





From: Allen Parry <parry@ESKIMO.COM>
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 23:04:03 -0700
Subject: Reply to Tom's message

I don't want this discussion to get bogged down in the mire of
details...but some people like details, so I will try my best to address
Tom's spin of the points that I had made.  We can go on forever pointing
fingers and saying, you got your figures wrong here...  But, I have a duty
to respond to Tom's points.

There really is a bigger point that is trying to be made. So if you don't
like the detailed squabble....don't bother reading and further.

Within this e-mail response, I do suggest a method that will let us all
know the truth to the legality of their restricting election candidates
(this year) to people from the New York area.  We will all hear (or not)
if this falls on deaf ears.

>From Tom:

Some may say that this is close enough to make me a "New Yorker" in
practice, but (1) my New England heritage shudders at the thought and (2)
the 4 1/2 hour drive keeps me at home, so for all intents and purposes I
cannot and do not participate in the New York City origami activities,
aside from the annual convention.

(For the record, two other non NYC residents have joined the Board
since then: V'Ann Cornelius from San Diego and Michael LaFosse from
Massachusetts.  There are ten Board members total.)
-----------------------
>From Allen:

We are elated that the Board recognizes the need for a
national perspective ... but a 4 1/2 hour distance hardly brings diversity
and representation of the needs of other parts of the country.
------------------------
>From Tom:

To the matter at hand, I found the Parry et al letter to be erroneous,
Inflammatory, and childish.  Their plan seems to be to make wild
accusations in hopes of enraging the OUSA membership to take action
that is not warranted.  I find it sad, too, because the issue of
OUSA needing to become a more national organization is one that
needs to be discussed and is taken seriously by the Board.

First I will address specific points in the letter.

> Are you being told that you should not expect anything more than a
> newsletter?  We say, NO!  The truth is that each issue of "The Paper"
> costs a little over a dollar apiece to produce and postage is
> approximately 50 cents to mail.  So, then, who does benefit from your
> membership fees?=20

While I cannot comment on the exact cost of producing each issue of
The Paper, I believe "a dollar apiece" is an underestimate.
------------------
>From Allen:

The point is: that the statement was made in answer to where our
membership dollars go; "to The Paper.  Where else?
Well...actually...that's it."  I don't buy it.

You're a math professor, let's do some calculations:  I had a quote done.
Paper and printing came in at under a dollar.  Postage at 50 cents.  The
part time editor/graphic editor...how much?  $1,500 per issue, maybe?
With the three issues per year average (I was told we only received 2 in
1998), that comes generously to $7.50 in expenditures to each member's $25
in dues.

But, show us the figures, and I will be the first to say I was wrong.
Being a Board member, you should be able to verify the exact cost.
Perhaps you should and make this information public, so we can all see.

I am not insinuating that there is wrongdoing going on. NO!  The issue is
an attitude from New York that we should not be expecting more from our
national organization...and it was qualified by this statement.  No, we
should not be satisfied with a just a newsletter.  Obviously, people are not.
--------------
Frm Tom:

Remember that we don't have the membership to make huge print runs (currently
OUSA has just under 2000 members).  Plus, the writers of the letter
are forgetting that we hire a part-time editor and graphic designer
to make each issue of the paper.
---------------
>From Allen:

Membership is not "just under 2000".  1800 would be a closer number.
Membership has been dropping off in the last few years.
----------------
>From Tom:

> As a non-New York member of OrigamiUSA ...
>
> -- You can't run for board elections (this year, it is only New York
> people who can run).

It is nice that they added their parenthetical remark - yes, next
year the current three "out of town" Board positions will be up
for election.
----------------
>From Allen:

True, but in the same vein, we were not allowed to run this year.  That
was the point I was trying to make.  Simply, I think it is wrong not to
have open elections.
-----------------
>From Tom:

> -- You can't serve on committees.

This is absolutely not true.  Any member of OUSA can serve on committees.
Right now there are several non New Yorkers who serve on active OUSA
committees.  (For example, Mark Kennedy from Pennsylvania chairs the
Business Committee.)  Yes, it is EASIER to serve on committees if you live in
the New York tri-state area, but there's nothing saying that other
people can't.  I served on a few committees before I became a Board member.
But it does take an effort and commitment and willingness to do work.
-------------------
>From Allen:

Interesting that his examples are from people within the New York region.
I believe the distance being discussed is measured in a few hours or less
of a drive.  I didn't hear that things were being delegated to people in
other regions of the country.
------------------
>From Tom:

> -- You can't volunteer.  (At the last Annual Meeting, someone asked about
> volunteering from outside the NY area and it was made clear that the board
> was only interested in NY volunteers.)=20

Absolutely not true.  Anyone can volunteer.  We have members in Atlanta
who help us every year by managing the housing registrations for the
Annual Convention.  Rob Hudson (from Pennsylvania, I think...) has
been helping us upgrade our membership database.  I remember the
question referred to in the above quote, and what was made "clear" was
that OUSA was in particular need of more volunteers from the New
York area.  Fact: there are things that need to get done in the
NYC home office every day, and without NYC volunteers we would not
be able to maintain our relationship with the Museum of Natural
History and would lose our rent-free office space.  But it was NOT
said that we were "only interested" in NY volunteers.  It is false
and manipulative for the writers of this letter to say otherwise.
--------------
>From Allen:

I disagree.  I took note of the fact that someone pointedly asked about
volunteering from outside the New York area.  They even suggested
delegating work to other regions.
---------------
>From Tom:

> -- You get notices for Special Events and activities, that you can attend
> (if you're rich and can afford the airfare to fly across the country for
> the New York based events).=20

Many times the Board has discussed not sending announcements for our
NY Special Sessions to the entire membership, and every time other
non-NY members have told us that they like getting them, so that
if they happen to be in NYC they could attend.  Further, we have said
many times that, yes, NY Special Sessions are really activities of
the origamists of NYC, and if ANY other regional group wants to run
a Special Sessions in their home city, we'd be glad to help with
paper, diagrams, or funds to obtain a site to hold the event.
So far, no one has taken us up on this, and that is why NY has
been the only city to hold Special Sessions.
        Other events, like the origami holiday tree lighting in the
Museum of Natural History, are things we do to maintain our relationship
with the Museum and which are done through the help of volunteers
throughout the country.  We communicate these events to our members
because we're proud of them and, you know, we just thought that people
might like to see the results of their volunteer efforts.  I suppose
the authors of the letter would rather NY appear to be a black hole,
where no origami activities take place, so that people won't think they're
missing anything.
----------------
>From Allen:

No, "the Authors", do not wish there to be a black hole.  But he would
like the organization to be distinguish between activities (and
expenditures) of the National organization and the New York regional
activities.  Perhaps there needs to be an OrigamiNY , just for that
purpose.
-------------------
>From Tom:

> -- There is a great collection of rare origami books, and you can view
> them if you are in New York.  The lending library is available for the
> more common books, but by the time you get them, its time to mail them
> back. Not mentioning the cost of the postage.

This, of all the comments made in the letter, is one with some
merit.
----------------
>From Allen:

Thank you Tom, that gives me some hope for you.
----------------
>From Tom:

The OUSA lending library has had a history of complaints.
Tony Cheng is the chair of the library committee, and he has told me that
the bugs have been worked out - that if you borrow a book you will
not have to return it immediately.

However, OUSA does have rare origami books that are not replaceable and that we
     can't afford to risk loosing in the mail.  So they stay in the home
     office.  We
feel that we are serving the public by maintaining this archive, so that at
     least *somewhere* there will be a good collection of origami books
     throughout history.  And personally, I think keeping them in NYC is a more
     efficient solution to the problem of
making these books readily available than, say, to house them in Lubbock, Texas.

But we'd love to hear any suggestions people might have about the use
and management of the OUSA library.
--------------
>From Allen:

Most of the title's are the more common titles that you can purchase (or
order) from your local bookstore.  The problem is in the cost of the
postage.  By the time pay the shipping charges, you're pretty close to the
purchase price.  I think OUSA charges $4.50, just to ship it to you.  Then
you have to pay for the postage back.

I have suggested that regional libraries be set up, if an affiliate group
can find a public home for the books.  I wouldn't be surprised is some of
the authors would be willing to donate copies to these regional libraries.
Tom, you were there in the meeting when we brought up to the board a year
ago. Has anything been done with this?  No.  But the board continues to
ask the same question, with no follow-up.  If you're not going to do
anything about it, then why ask?
------------------
>From Tom:

> -- If you volunteer, you can get a unlimited pass to the American Museum
> of Natural History.  The same pass, many times, also gets you into museums
> across the country for free.  Oh, I forgot, you can't volunteer.=20

Absolutely NOT TRUE!  Yes, in the old days of the Friends there were so
few volunteers that everyone who worked in the home office got a
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) pass, which really are worth
their weight in gold.  But that no longer happens.  Hell, I'm on the
Board and I don't have an AMNH pass!  The Museum cracked down on the number
of passes they give out, and we can no longer thank our hard-working
volunteers with this perk.
--------------
>From Allen:

You better check your facts here.  I know for a fact that many have passes
and they are still being issued.  All that a volunteer needs to do is show
so many of hours volunteering in the office.
---------------
>From Tom:
> -- Sometimes you get a newsletter that tells you things about people that
> you have never met. Their names are bolded, but you have no idea who they
> are.  You don't know them, because you don't live in New York.=20

And sometimes I get "The Paper" and it tells me about things that happen
in California and has people's names in bold that I have never met.
And I read every word because I WANT to know who they are.  I WANT to be
linked to the national and international origami community.  I LIKE
reading about other origami people, even if they are from New York!
I LIKE reading about conventions that I couldn't afford to attend.  I
WANT to see the pictures and read the stories.

Am I the only one who read this letter and saw how manipulative,
how whining, how silly it was in making its points?  These are not
people, apparently, who are willing to discuss the matter.  They have
made up their minds and they want to overthrow the OUSA Board.  But
I'm getting ahead of myself...

> We want OrigamiUSA to be a resource to the entire country, not just to one
> region. We want national representation on the OrigamiUSA's board. =20
> "No taxation without representation!", just like the Colonies cry of
> unfairness, back in 1776.=20

You do have representation.  The first Annual Meeting I attended as
a OUSA Board member I announced that I was on the Board to help
represent non-NY OUSA members.
-------------
>From Allen:

Then where have you been? ...what have you been doing?  You have known
there is discontentment in the ranks.  Its an easy thing to say you're
representing us, it's another thing to have your actions back up what you
say.
----------------
>From Tom:

 And since then we've increased that representation.  No one has ever
contacted me to complain about the issues of national representation of
OUSA.  V'Ann Cornelius, I believe, has been contacted in this regard,
probably because she's on the West Coast.
----------------
>From Allen:

Perhaps you're looked at as another New Yorker (even though you shutter)
who is not listening to us.  V'Ann has lent us an ear, has been
sympathetic to our cause, and slowly (within the OUSA bureaucracy) has
been doing something about better national involvement.  Her words are bac
ked up by her actions.

Have you been detached from phone access?  You have known these things
were going on.  It hasn't prevented others from calling or e-mailing.
----------------------
>From Tom:

I'm not sure how the authors of this letter define "thumb their noses",
but if it means to contact our own attorney and take his advice that
we are not in violation of our By-Laws or of New York State non-profit
laws and should go ahead with our elections, then OK.  To delay
elections would actually be against our By-Laws.
---------------------
>From Allen:

I'd suggest the board get a better attorney.  Perhaps someone more
expertise in Non-Profit Corporate law.  Your attorney, Jorge Batista helps
you out in the evenings, when he gets home from his regular full time job.
You pay him so much per month/year to take care of basic housekeeping
functions.

The attorney we have consulted, is an expert in Non-Profit Corporate law.
He's been practicing for 35 years in New York State.  He says OrigamiUSA
is in violation of their own bylaws, not to mention state law, not to
mention federal law.
------------------------
>From Tom:

        It seems clear to me that the authors of this letter had every
intent from the outset to take OUSA to court.  They all knew how our
elections run - they've been the same for the past 20 years.  Yet
they raised this issue and challenged us with legal action just as the
nominations were being taken and elections were about to be held.
-----------------------
>From Allen:

If anything, we are doing everything to prevent going to court. The OUSA
board has been given plenty of time, and still has plenty of time.  Have I
heard from any one of you trying to resolve this issue?  No.  I know both
Jean and Jan have my home number, my e-mail address.  All I have heard
from them is their letter declining our nomination.  The only one talking
to us is V'Ann, more about fact collection about organizations in general.

>From all our perspective, the OUSA board has dug in their heels and are
not willing to budge.

All we are looking for is the truth.  The courts are the governing body
over proper execution of the New York law and the bylaws.  All they will
do is tell all the truth.

Here is suggestion, if this is really a concern.  Let's have an
independent council determine this for EVERYONE.  We should be able to
find an attorney or judge who would be willing to arbitrate this issue?
Someone we both pick.  If you are confident on your stance, you should
have no problem with this.  And when I say everyone, I mean the entire
membership and the list.  We can communicate the results to all.
-----------
>From Tom:

If it does result in further legal action, it will certainly mean
the death of OUSA, since we have nowhere near the funds to carry on
extended legal expenses.
--------------
>From Allen:

I think you exaggerate and I don't think you understand the nature of any
court involvement.  OrigamiUSA brings in over $250,000 per year in
revenue.  I don't think this is going to kill you.  Besides, we are not
talking about lengthy court battles, but rather an interpretation of the
law.

But as you have shown, the OUSA board is more anxious to tell us the way
things are, rather than discussing any ideas different from their own.
------------------
>From Tom:

But the REAL issue is not whether the Parry et al letter is childish.
It's the issue of more national representation on the Board of
OUSA.  Despite what the letter would have you to believe, OUSA is
very open to the idea of having more "out of town" Board members.
In fact, a few months ago we were discussing the possibility of
having a specific seat on the Board whose area of responsibility
would be to represent and help organize regional and affiliate groups.
So it's not like we're a bunch of stick-in-the-mud whiners who
are myopically NY-centric.

The fact is that the bulk of the work that maintains OUSA is currently
done in the NY home office.  Without a substantial NY Board component
it would not be possible to manage, organize, and just plain DO this
work.
--------------
>From Allen:

You're admitting failure without trying. You got to get rid of this
defeatist attitude. There are all kinds of things that can be done outside
the New York area.  Other organizations have been able to accomplish this.
Why not OrigamiUSA?
---------------
>From Tom:

I'm not saying that OUSA will never change.  I strongly believe that
it needs to change.  The past 4 years have been full of growing
pains for OUSA, but very good things have come out of them.
We have helped fund and organize several regional conventions (PCOC and the
two Southeastern Origami Festivals).
-----------------
>From Allen:

Do you really want to bring up this issue?  ORCA found the board
impossible to work with and anything but supportive.  They wanted control
of our convention and proceeds, when we were not asking anything from them
but their blessing (we already had privat e financing). We did ask for
autonomy in putting on a convention, so that wasn't a rubber stamp of New
York. They came back and purposed to restructure our leadership team and
demanded over half of any proceeds.

 We were suppose to hear back from them in April, by October we still
didn't have a decision from them. By October, time was running out, and it
was obvious we were not getting anywhere with them. The biggest issue was,
we wanted autonomy in putting toget her our own convention,

I am exhausted in answering Tom's lengthy letter, so I will stop here.
Again, I think he is missing the point...addressing the symptoms, rather
that the disease.

Allen Parry

Allen Parry
parry@eskimo.com





From: Jamaro@AOL.COM
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 23:07:15 -0400 (
Subject: Re: OUSA ....

Not being a member of OUSA, but with lots of experience on boards and
organizations, a few things to consider in this debate:

--What is the organizational structure of OUSA and its relationship to other
chapters throughout the country?  Do the affiliate chapters pay dues to the
national?  In my experience, collected dues are distributed via an agreed
upon formula to the local, state, and national organization.

--If dues from local chapters are collected, then you do need some sort of
representation of those chapters on the national board.  My experience has
usually been that local chapters would send delegates to a convention where
the actual elections took place.  Individual chapters had voting power
proportionate to their membership (dues paying) rolls, etc.

---I have been involved in some "national" organizations which, in fact, were
"national" in name only.  The Board of Directors were also the volunteer
"staff" and had to do all the work.  This blurred the policy-setting duties
of the board and kept the organization from growing.

--Perhaps what is needed at this time is some sort of "retreat" of the
leaders from the various origami organizations throughout the country to
forge a "constitution" and bylaws, incorporating and building upon all the
pioneer work done in the various locations.

Just my $.02 worth.

--Joe Amaro
   Non-OUSA member, though do plan to join to support the cause.





From: Jamaro@AOL.COM
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 23:13:49 -0400 (
Subject: Re: OUSA's Lending Library

In a message dated 4/5/99 4:54:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
102354.2222@COMPUSERVE.COM writes:

<< What about the possibility of making good quality xerox copies of
 these books and making the xeroxes available for lending, while keeping the
 genuine object in a safer, managed collection?  Similar things are done
 with fossils (making casts widely available of real fossils).  If it's just
 for lending this way, I don't perceive that there would be any copyright
 issues.
  >>
What about scanning the books and putting them into Adobe PDF format?!  These
pages could then be emailed, or better yet, put on a web site.  The original
would still be intact.  (In order to spread the volunteer work around,
perhaps members and enthusiasts in other parts of the country, who have
copies of rare books, could  do the same and email the PDF files to OUSA as
the central repository. . .and yes, I would volunteer to do a couple of them
out here on the West Coast.)





From: Eric Andersen <ema@NETSPACE.ORG>
Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 00:24:12 -0400
Subject: Re: On the lighter side... New Website

On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Russell Sutherland wrote:

>WARNING:  I don't have a camera...digital or otherwise, so I built a light
>box for my scanner and scanned all the actual origami ...  I apologize in
>advance for the poor quality of some of the images.
>...
>http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Salon/5668/

Russell,
The colors are great; I think the images turned out very nicely. I scan in
all of my models by putting them directly on the scanner, no light box. It
gets a little tricky if the models are 3-dimensional, like most of yours,
but I have found that if you carefully hold up the scanner's cover during
the scanning the images come out clear and high-quality.

-Eric
origami@netspace.org

/=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=\
\   Eric Andersen                                       /
/    Mathematics, Music             ~  ~ __o            \
\     and Origami                 ~  ~ _-\<'_           /
/      ema@netspace.org        ~    ~ (_)/ (_)          \
\=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=/
            *** http://www.jeno.com ***





From: Thomas C Hull <tch@ABYSS.MERRIMACK.EDU>
Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 01:04:59 -0400
Subject: Re: OUSA ....

Hi all,

Various people have made interesting and polite remarks to my
last letter, and I'll try to respond to as many as I can with
the little time that I have.

First, several have commented that I responded to "the letter"
rather emotionally and with a bit of spite.  All I can say
is that I found the letter itself to be rather spitefull.
Being accused of "thumbing our noses" does hurt, and this
kind of language does not exactly encourage discussion.
In fact, I'm somewhat surprised that Allen Parry and Steve
Buck sound so open to discussion in their recent origami-l
postings.  I'm certainly glad they are!  But the tone of
their original letter made me think otherwise.

Second, I really would like Allen or Steve or anyone else to
respond to my argument that an upheaval of 4 OUSA Board seats
right now would be going too fast.  Steve Buck claims that this
is not what will necessarily happen, but "the letter" clearly
requests that all members vote for the write-in candidates.
If there really are a majority of members who agree with that
that letter states, then we can expect there to be 4 new Board
members and for Jean-Baden Gillette (the current OUSA President),
Lin Balinsky (the current Secretary), Marc Kirschenbaum,
and Aldo Putignano would be ousted.  My opinion remains that
if this happens then various OUSA operations would be threatened.
And if someone could convince me that we could make an immediate
transition to 4 new non-NY Board members to replace the 15-20
hours a week that each of the current NYC Board members put in
at the home office, then I'd be much more sympathetic.

Third, Steve raises a very good point about the difference
between the NY origami group and OUSA.  I've been pushing
for a better definition between the two at our monthly
Board meetings.  Yet it's been difficult.  One big reason
is OUSA's relationship with the Museum of Natural History.
To maintain our rent-free office space we sustain a symbiotic
relationship with AMNH.  We organize the Holiday Tree and
Holiday Gift exhibitions, run "folding tables" where Museum
visitors can learn origami at various AMNH functions, and
move to new office locations whenever they tell us to move.
All of this is done by NY origamists.  So in a very real sense
OUSA exists via the labor of NY origamists.  Separating the
two in terms of labor would be impossible.  This does
carry over to the Board in that we have to deal with the
Museum and maintain our NY volunteer base.  At the same
time there *is* a NY folding group - NY origamists do organize
"Folding Free For Alls" and other events around the city.
Sometimes these are reported in _The Paper_ and sometimes
they're not.  But I don't see how there can be a clean
break between OUSA the the NY origamists.

Fourth, I don't agree with Allen's statement that "it all
begins at the board."  Perhaps I'll get into trouble for
saying this, but I see the OUSA Board as very much a "working"
Board as opposed to a "policy making" Board.  Don't get me
wrong - we do try to set policy for things!  But each of us
is very much into the nitty-gritty details of various
projects too.  I view that as taking up most of our time,
anyway.  Perhaps we should focus more of our efforts in
setting direction for the organization, but frankly we
haven't had the time!  Constructive help from origamists
across the country would help us do that.  A coup, in my
opinion, would not.

Lastly, I have to say that I am puzzled.  I am puzzled by
the repeated statements to the effect of, "I really
appreciate and respect the devotion and work of the OUSA
Board.  But we think you have lost sight of the national
organization, and we'd like to replace you so we can try
to do better."  To me, this would be an avenue of last
resort - if things got so bad that we had to just
"clean house", so to speak.  But please believe me when I
say that I don't think we're there yet.  This is the first time
this has been discussed on origami-l!  So how can we say
we've even had an extended dialogue on the issue?  If the
membership wants change then the first step is to talk
to the Board.  And I know that some people feel like they've
been ignored or only met with arguments.  That can happen
with an all-volunteer Board.  I, for one, really need to go to
bed so that I can teach all day tomorrow!  But for this
issue, having more non-NY-ers on the Board, there hasn't
been any discussion.  Just a letter demanding that
non-NY-ers be added to the ballot with a threat of legal
action if we refused.  Thus my puzzlement.

I find it so incredibly hard not to take all of this
emotionally.  But I am trying, and I hope I've made
my points clear without offending anyone further.

---- Tom "mindless at 1am" Hull
     thull@merrimack.edu
