[Businessmtg] Business Meeting - Group Rep Report

[Steve Rankin]

Hi folks,

Then GEA Districting Task Force presented their recommendations to the CMAs
and GRs twice.  As our CMA, I attended the first presentation as did Anne.
Anne also attended the second presentation a week later.  The presentations
were theoretically identical.  Since I actually attended the presentation, I
have my own perspective on the presentation and the Task Force's
recommendations - note those are two separate issues.  

But, before I do that, I'd like to respond to notion that this is a start,
or that this is a case of Progress rather than Perfection.  That's because I
disagree rather strongly.

Please understand that there are two problems that I see with the GEA
districting plan as it has been presented:
1.  The districting plan is structured so that Zoom meetings will dominate
ALL districts.  Groups using other platforms will be separated resulting in
no voice at the platform or language level - with the exception of the 24/7
meetings (such as ASP) and the Spanish-speaking meetings.  
2.  Once the GEA establishes a districting plan, that plan will be set in
stone.  

The only way that the districting plan would change in any meaningful way in
the future is IF a large majority of the GRs recognized a problem with the
districting and pushed for a change. Go back to #1 above and remember that
roughly 90% of the districts would consist of roughly 9 Zoom meetings, and
ONLY ONE non-Zoom meeting per the current plan.  It is highly unlikely that
the Zoom-dominated districts would see any reason to change the structure.  

Love and SERENITY,
Steve