ok, recap:

.....before o'l sharpy shows his mug in this thread, he get's a bonk from Brown, then;

Jim takes a pot shot at any who think differently than he; MAAC, like AMA, has a small vocal few who consider themselves the armchair overseers who "know best what Canadian modellers want". Funny enough, though they've tried for many years, they can't scrape together more than a handful of followers who do no more than take pot shots at thos who actually volunteer to further the organization

Jim further states:

Population distribution results in the majority of modellers being concentrated in the Southern Ontario area. This results in a lot of the impetus for MAAC comes from the large groups in that area.

Sharpy puts out some actual numbers regarding membership demographics and offers personal opinion as to what he feels causes friction within;

Most of the disagreements within the structure have not been about east or west, it's been about changes to the organization's priorities. I suspect, much like any organization, there are some who wish to retain status quo and will resist those who wish to make any changes.

Jim now has apparently taken exception to sharpy's opinion, and takes another poke;

as contrasted to your 'baiting' in an effort to exhibit your "profound insight" into Canadian modeller needs through flexing your "superior" debating skills ... with little regard to the cost to public relations for MAAC

followed by some substance mixed in the following bits;

"Plot it on geography, consider the difficulties imposed by geography, and you can see why it's an effective majority (like it or not). But, that wasn't my point (as you well know).

Yes, and the majority vote every year for "status quo". To put it terms you would understand "if it aint broke, don't fix it". Your radical approachs, although admittedly often hold some philosophical merit, appear to fail in light of practical application."

Without the personal pokes and unsubstantiated "radical approach" junk, we may have some grounds for a discussion here;

How about, "effective majority"?

not sure I get that, but the suggestion is that because of a 43% of members reside in one geographical region, their lead should be followed? Again, I believe this attitude divides the modelling community as no matter where I have flown, the vast majority of modellers are bound by the hobby, not the geography. Perhaps the term should be "effective political majority" as I think that there is likely a higher percentage of members from that area that are motivated about this political stuff. Geography is a problem, but the advent of cyberland is making it easier.

Regardless, I have to agree with allowing the majority to decide if "status quo" is the future. I personally believe "status quo" is maintained through apathy of the majority and that open debate of political issues and getting more information to the true majority is the way to eventually motivate the silent majority to effect some change. The likely changes to proxy voting at the AGM may be the ultimate way of getting things done. A few very motivated ZD's could mass enough proxies to swing issues without having to worry about the same 7 or 8 ZD's dictating how issues will turn out. Time will tell.

...........by the way, I'm curious, as anyone else reading here may be, as to what my "radical" ideas were/are? I've lost track of what ideas of mine were "radical" and which were simply "lunacy" ........ [sm=bananahead.gif]

besides, the radical ideas are the funnest to debate.