SAMAA management committee workshop

Louis and I joined a SAMAA workshop last Saturday. There's some info on the SAMAA BLOG.

Here are some more candid comments for JOMAC members.

The SAMAA management committee consists of eleven sub-committees. In my view it is overly complicated and bureaucratic. Decision-making is generally slow and averse to risk. This is not necessarily bad, but it is frustrating at times.

Also, there is still a remnant of the old-fashioned: “We know what’s best for the members. We must protect them from their own stupidity”.

With the exception of the General Manager (Bob Skinner), all committee members are volunteers. They give up their time and often money in the interests of SAMAA members. Their hearts are in the right place. But as my boss used to say “It's just that some of their heads are facing the wrong way”.

None of this need affect JOMAC. We should continue to guard our independence and maintain a healthy arms-length distance. At the same time we should support the Association.