Re: [ga] Small Business Constituency needed

[DannyYounger@cs.com]

Bret,

As you might know, I twice submitted my application in person for membership 
to the BC and had my firm babybows.com listed as a member on the website for 
quite a period of time.  The Secretariat never forwarded an invoice (after 
numerous requests) and ultimately removed my company name from the membership 
list without notification.  In response to my complaint, I was advised by the 
Secretariat that I would need to reapply and to have my membership reexamined 
by the credentials committee.  This is not what I would describe as 
"preferential" treatment.  

Another small business, run by Bruce James, questioned the fact that the BC 
was in violation of its own Charter and challenged their election practices.  
In response to his actions, the BC modified their Charter not to correct the 
problem (two representatives of the TELCOs were standing for election to the 
Council in violation of charter sectoral diversity requirements), but rather 
to crush the voice of the small business community dissidents -- the charter 
now contains new language:  

"At the request of at-least two paid-up members and following a thorough 
review by the Officers and the Credentials Committee, a member, who over a 
sustained period of time acts in conflict to this Charter, or who engages in 
acts which appear to be inappropriate for the stability, functionality or 
bona fide reputation of the Constituency, or who is or threatens to be a 
vexatious litigant, may have its membership terminated at the discretion of 
the Officers and the Credentials Committee.

How often have we heard the mantra that the BC will engage in "outreach"?  Do 
you honestly believe that the BC will do anything to bring in the small 
business folks?  On what basis are you making that claim?  It certainly can't 
be based on past practice.  Ask Jefsey Morphin what he thinks about BC 
attitudes toward small business...

A new constituency wherein small business is not routinely outvoted by large 
corporate interests is a much better concept that pretending that the BC will 
ever do anything to aggregate the small business community.
--
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