John Duffy wrote:Thanks for that Paul. Perhaps this posting should have been put out earlier, as I for one find that much more reassuring than some of the "it'll be fine", "it's always been like that", "don't worry, he's a nice guy" or "just learn new skills" comments that have so far been doing the rounds.
John,
That's a fair comment to make. I'll give you three reasons why in practice the Committee does take a different stance:
1 - this is the members' Forum. It's not the mouthpiece of the Committee, and although a number of Committee members are active members here, it's generally as modellers, and not to put Committee perspectives about. So we in no way want to stifle healthy debate, and see no harm in members expressing different viewpoints and exploring options. As long as it remains within the normal polite, objective, etc. boundaries that 99.99% of discussions here are.
2 - there are, here and in other examples, real world commercial discussions between third parties. We don't want the Society to be drawn into those, or let slip some information that could prejudice them. So although the Ultrascale situation has been discussed at the last couple of Committee meetings, it really would be inappropriate for us to express views or reveal those internal discussions in public.
3 - the Committee is entrusted by the members to run the Society, and the vast majority of that is done quietly in the background. We are open to receiving comments or questions, either here, by email, or even in person such as at the forthcoming AGM. But the normal course of business is just to "get on with it". We are always answerable to the Society members when it may be necessary.
Cheers
Paul Willis
Deputy Chairman