Submitted by Carl Flygt on Tue, 06/26/2007 - 9:55pm.
I endorse this conversation on Branch governance. I believe it may lead to useful adjustments in Branch life in Sacramento and possibly elsewhere.
There is a wise provision in the Society by-laws that requires a minimum of seven individuals subscribing to an initiative before that initiative is recognized by the Society. We may have a way by means of this website to achieve some legitimate initiatives within the Society.
I will probably support an initiative that seeks election of the Coordinating Committee by the Branch membership.
Submitted by Carl Flygt on Tue, 06/26/2007 - 5:50pm.
It is generally recognized by anthroposophists that "one cannot settle by votes or majority decisions deep inner soul powers, or the extensive sphere of love" (RS, FM lect Oct 1905, Berlin).
The Faust Branch Coordinating Committee (FBCC) is legitimately constituted and has been running things in Sacramento for many years, presumably on this supra-democratic model. Ideally under those conditions, people recognize that actions taken by the FBCC in fact come from a much higher and wiser guidance than mere democracy, and things move along.
In the absence of a legitimate initiative, composed of a minimum of seven card-carrying members, the FBCC is justified in turning only half an ear to proposals and suggestions coming from mere individuals.
It is one thing to have people tick boxes on a website, but something entirely different to have seven or more of them make material commitments in actual conversations.
If real elections come to pass, the balloting should be designed and executed by such a seven-membered Initiative. It is quite certain that the FBCC would give that the respect it would merit.
There is of course no harm, and much utility, in the individually initiated forum on this website. I myself have voted in favor of direct elections.
Submitted by Carl Flygt on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 12:12pm.
In view of the Original Statute 11, it does appear that elections are a legitimate way to constitute a Coordinating Committee. Still, the Election Initiative (institution of campaign protocols, balloting procedures, installation of new officers etc) needs to be undertaken by a quorum of some kind. Seven members appears to be the natural minimum.
Tom, maybe on this website we need a registry of Branch members willing to contribute to this Initiative.
Submitted by Tom Last on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 7:49pm.
I agree with the Vorstand and Rudolf Steiner that the anthroposophical society groups should designate their own officers. To do otherwise is harmful to the community. I think we have seen the results. It leads to apathy on the part of the participants and looses the interest of the strong ones with a view to express.
In #4 of the 1923 Christmas statutes it says, "The Anthroposophical Society is in no sense a secret society, but is entirely public." What I am told is that the Faust branch has no written down order of procedure for anything but is run by unknown insiders in secret. Why wouldn't this qualify as a secret society? The about quote says "entirely public". I'm sure this will be considered by most as a dramatization but no members I have asked has any knowledge of the officer selection process. This wouldn't matter if we were talking about the local loosely run Elks Club, --we could joke about it-- but I think in these urgent times it is important to have an effective branch operating throughout the Sacramento area. Unfortunately, I do not have a voice in selecting new vigorous branch leadership.
This whole discussion is silly for anyone who has studied The Philosophy of Freedom. I think the basis for a renewal of the anthroposophical society is to be found in taking up or returning to Rudolf Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom where all the principles of anthroposophy can be found and an inspiring flame will unfold.
According to the 2007 Spirit Working Directory published by the Anthrposophical Society of America the membership of the American society has dropped 17% over the past five years. Wow. It is down to 3733 members for the whole of the USA. I would like to see renewal of the society start now in Sacramento followed by renewal of the society in America.
Legitimate initiatives
I endorse this conversation on Branch governance. I believe it may lead to useful adjustments in Branch life in Sacramento and possibly elsewhere.
There is a wise provision in the Society by-laws that requires a minimum of seven individuals subscribing to an initiative before that initiative is recognized by the Society. We may have a way by means of this website to achieve some legitimate initiatives within the Society.
I will probably support an initiative that seeks election of the Coordinating Committee by the Branch membership.
Carl Flygt
Democracy vs Vorstandungswesens
It is generally recognized by anthroposophists that "one cannot settle by votes or majority decisions deep inner soul powers, or the extensive sphere of love" (RS, FM lect Oct 1905, Berlin).
The Faust Branch Coordinating Committee (FBCC) is legitimately constituted and has been running things in Sacramento for many years, presumably on this supra-democratic model. Ideally under those conditions, people recognize that actions taken by the FBCC in fact come from a much higher and wiser guidance than mere democracy, and things move along.
In the absence of a legitimate initiative, composed of a minimum of seven card-carrying members, the FBCC is justified in turning only half an ear to proposals and suggestions coming from mere individuals.
It is one thing to have people tick boxes on a website, but something entirely different to have seven or more of them make material commitments in actual conversations.
If real elections come to pass, the balloting should be designed and executed by such a seven-membered Initiative. It is quite certain that the FBCC would give that the respect it would merit.
There is of course no harm, and much utility, in the individually initiated forum on this website. I myself have voted in favor of direct elections.
Carl Flygt
Statute 11
In view of the Original Statute 11, it does appear that elections are a legitimate way to constitute a Coordinating Committee. Still, the Election Initiative (institution of campaign protocols, balloting procedures, installation of new officers etc) needs to be undertaken by a quorum of some kind. Seven members appears to be the natural minimum.
Tom, maybe on this website we need a registry of Branch members willing to contribute to this Initiative.
All best,
Carl Flygt
I agree with the Vorstand
I agree with the Vorstand and Rudolf Steiner that the anthroposophical society groups should designate their own officers. To do otherwise is harmful to the community. I think we have seen the results. It leads to apathy on the part of the participants and looses the interest of the strong ones with a view to express.
In #4 of the 1923 Christmas statutes it says, "The Anthroposophical Society is in no sense a secret society, but is entirely public." What I am told is that the Faust branch has no written down order of procedure for anything but is run by unknown insiders in secret. Why wouldn't this qualify as a secret society? The about quote says "entirely public". I'm sure this will be considered by most as a dramatization but no members I have asked has any knowledge of the officer selection process. This wouldn't matter if we were talking about the local loosely run Elks Club, --we could joke about it-- but I think in these urgent times it is important to have an effective branch operating throughout the Sacramento area. Unfortunately, I do not have a voice in selecting new vigorous branch leadership.
This whole discussion is silly for anyone who has studied The Philosophy of Freedom. I think the basis for a renewal of the anthroposophical society is to be found in taking up or returning to Rudolf Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom where all the principles of anthroposophy can be found and an inspiring flame will unfold.
According to the 2007 Spirit Working Directory published by the Anthrposophical Society of America the membership of the American society has dropped 17% over the past five years. Wow. It is down to 3733 members for the whole of the USA. I would like to see renewal of the society start now in Sacramento followed by renewal of the society in America.
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