[Cuga] Plan to update Users Group Charter: Feedback required by JUNE 20th (Friday)- A message from John Arrington

[Lorelei Chopard]

Dear JLab Users Group Member,

As announced at the Users Group Meeting, we plan to hold a vote
on two proposed changes to the Users Group Bylaws.  The current
bylaws can be found on the wiki:
     https://wiki.jlab.org/cugwiki/index.php/Bylaws

I summarize below the proposed changes and the boards reasons for
suggesting these changes.  Please provide any feedback BY THE END OF
THE WEEK.  In the absence of additional input, we will hold a vote by
email on these changes by the end of the month, as the bylaws require
that the vote be held within a month of being introduced at the
meeting.  I present the general idea below; exact wording changes will
be included when a vote is organized.


First proposed change: We propose changing the chair line from the
current four year cycle (one year as vice chair, two as chair, and
one as past chair) to a modified cycle (one year vice chair, one as
chair elect, one as chair, and one as past chair). The benefit
is that they will be more experienced when they take over as chair
(having served 2 years already), and that there will be more people in
the four-year chair line at a given time, providing more leadership in
organizing the various user group activities and greater continuity.
The downside of this is that people will serve as chair for only a
single year, but we believe that this will be balanced by the benefits
mentioned above.


Second proposed change: update the "statement on non-discrimination" to
be more complete and more in line with the JSA non-discrimination policy.

Current Text:  "1. This organization, its directors, and officers will
not discriminate, in the admission of its membership, administration of
its affairs, or dealings with others, on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin."

Proposed Text: "1. This organization, its directors, and officers will not
discriminate, in the admission of its membership, administration of
its affairs, or dealings with others, on the basis of race, color,
religion, gender, marital status, national origin, ancestry,
disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or citizenship."


Please send any comments to John Arrington (johna at anl.gov) as soon as
possible so that input can be incorporated into the final proposed changes.

Regards,
John Arrington, on behalf of the Users Group Board