[pp.int.general] Invitation to the PPI General Assembly 2011

[Andrew Norton]

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On 1/19/2011 7:51 PM, David Arcos wrote:
> On Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 1:24 AM, Andrew Norton <ktetch at gmail.com
> <mailto:ktetch at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
>     > Andrew, please stop trolling.
> 
>     Trolling is just saying things to inflame and for no other purpose.
>     Pointing out valid criticisms is not, and should never be considered,
>     trolling. Those that do consider it such, generally have something to
>     hide. Gregory made (unfoudned) accusations, they were not supported by
>     the evidence, which I pointed out. I then counterpointed that there have
>     been many behavoural oddities in the actions of PPI, and in Gregories
>     conduct, and again, backed them with evidence. If exposing (with
>     evidence) impropriety, is 'trolling', then perhaps we'd better make sure
>     that dupicity, and other underhanded actions are acceptable behavior.
> 
> 
> They has to choose from two candidates, both German cities.
> I'm sure there are criticisms for both! But your criticism is not useful
> at all: be constructive, propose alternatives! It's not their fault if
> nobody outsite Germany volunteers.

This would be true, if this was the normal way conference locations had
been done.

Personally, I believe the specifics
(http://int.piratenpartei.de/Conference-offers#Place) of what was
requested, plus having to make such a detailed proposal, for what was
effectively a closed vote of 4 people, resulted in what might be
considered a lot of work, for not a lot of payoff.

They wanted facilities for 150 people, when no event has topped maybe 50
people (including the event where most  of the people where financially
recompensed). All these specifications, for a much more expensive
conference to organise than previously held. Is it any wonder parties
were dubious to 'bid' for the event as specified. Doubly so if you read
the meeting logs and see how much trouble things like 'a bank account',
'a web site', or even 'attending an online meeting' are for the board.

Had the bid outline been more in keeping with the historical
requirements of the event, I think you would have seen more parties bid.
As it is, only the Swedish and German parties are big enough (and
presumably financially stable enough) to handle the expense of the
event, if it ends up making a loss. The cost for the conference is,
according to the bid, over 4,600 Euros. Not many parties can afford that
(and that's a fairly low cost estimate too, from experience), and the
Swedes don't seem that interested in PPI, leaving only the Germans.

In other words, the bid method chosen by the board was unlikely to get
any other party to bid, as it was specified. With a lower attendance
count, and less requirements, other parties would have been more able to
cover costs and run things cheaper, it's just the specifications pushed
it out of the pocket of most parties, and it was the board that set
those specifications.

Lets not forget, they wanted planning for 120-150 people. At 6 delegates
per party, thats 20-25 full parties worth. Not going to happen, and we
all know it, and 120 people @ 35e per, will still be 400e short of the
proposed budget (and it always runs over). need 131 pre-registrations,
or 92 late ones to break even. (or some combination thereof) and that's
just not going to happen, not in any way that matches the statutes, of 6
per party. There might be 30-40 local members taking part, but since the
conference is mainly aimed at PPI business, and only 6 of them can
participate as delegates, I can't see why they'd really bother. Plus are
those who are going to be working it having to pay for the tickets too?

That's my thoughts anyway, that the bid requirements out-priced the
event by being more elaborate than the event could either sustain, or
need to be.

Thus the only party with the 'establishment' to afford to host such an
event, AND have the 'PPI motivation', is the German party.

Hope this explains my thinking somewhat better.

Andrew



> 
> Cheers,
> 
> 
> 
> ____________________________________________________
> Pirate Parties International - General Talk
> pp.international.general at lists.pirateweb.net
> http://lists.pirateweb.net/mailman/listinfo/pp.international.general


- -- 
Andrew Norton
http://ktetch.blogspot.com
Tel: (352)6-KTETCH [352-658-3824]
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