Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00256)

On 14 199512 Jerry Hejka-Ekins wrote:

>
> Coherence writes:
>
> >There is a misconception about ULT stated here that needs to be
> >cleared up. The ULT is an Association of students. There is no
> >legal entity called ULT hence no officers bylaws government.
> >Each Lodge and study group is independent and autonomous and
> >generally run by older students who assume the responsibility
> >for its functioning. The ULT is not a democracy but the views
> >and council of as many students as possible are taken into
> >consideration. This generally applies to convenient meeting
> >times administrative matters building maintenance etc. for
> >the efficient functioning of the group.
> >
> >I try to think of the ULT as a combination of the concept of a
> >Family and a Bridge Club. Families are run by older figures who
> >are given authority by virtue of their position but opinions
> >are sought. In a bridge club there is no official
> >organization but various members take responsibility for its
> >functioning. As the bridge club agrees that when they assemble
> >they will play bridge the ULT students agree that when they
> >assemble they will study HPB Judge and Crosbie.
>
> This is about as fair of a description of how ULT works that
> I have seen. I was active with the Los Angeles ULT for about
> fifteen years until we moved out of the area but still in
> contact with some of the associates. ULT is indeed more of a
> federation of students than a formal organization but an inner
> structure does indeed exist and downplaying the importance of
> that structure is in MHO unrealistic. Decisions have to be made
> concerning the upkeep of the building organizing of office help
> paying the day to day expenses of telephones office machinery
> postage etc. Though there are no officers for ULT there is a
> board of directors for Theosophy Company which is a bonified
> Organization responsible for the publications. They are also
> responsible for the assets used by ULT associates and for the
> production of ~Theosophy~ magazine. That board has a
> chairperson who also has more than a little influence concerning
> the organizations of classes and the scheduling of speakers.
> Though ULT is founded upon some very high ideals weakness in
> human nature requires that the implementation of these ideals
> require some compromises by giving the Board and individuals some
> responsibilities therefore powers that gives some justification
> to Paul's observation of a "cryptocracy."
>
> >The anonymity issue is merely an attempt to stick to ideas and
> >teaching rather than personalities. Therefore there are no
> >"leaders" officially recognized as such.
>
> Yet everyone involved in ULT knows who these "leaders" are.
> I remember when Joe Pope came to Los Angeles on a visit. He was
> scheduled to speak at one of the night gatherings.
> True to form an announcement of the topic was sent out but not
> the speaker. It made no difference. The word got around that
> Joe Pope would be speaking that night and he got a much larger
> audience than what was usual.
>
> >When writing ULT
> >students do not sign their name so that the ideas come through
> >and the reader is not biased by the personality of the author.
> >It is not a secret society where the governance is hidden
> >secret or mysterious in any way and certainly is not a
> >"cryptocracy".
>
> Yes and this is a real headache for us historians.
>
> >Does the ULT have its share of politics? Of course it
> >does--people are involved. But the method of operation
> >minimizes the unfortunate events which plague the TS and divert
> >its attention from its mission.
>
> I would say that ULT has had its share of "politics" that
> have diverted attention from its mission from time to time but
> on the whole I must agree that ULT is structured in such a way
> that more energy can be directed to the real work. In many ways
> it is much more efficient and focused than Adyar.
>
> >Witness the current "lengthy" discussion of political events on
> >this List taking up time and space better utilized by the
> >discussion of the ideas and teaching of Theosophy.
> >
> >I propose all discussion of the TS's and any other
> >organization's politics by-laws officers internal squabbles
> >gossip etc. be moved to a separate board.
> >
> >Does anyone else agree?
>
> Because of the evident failure of the Adyar TS to keep its
> membership properly informed and involved in decisions affecting
> member's and Lodge's rights I think this electronic forum is a
> godsend and may have the eventual effect of making a more
> democratic organization out of it. Since this board is open to

Jerry you are 100% correct. In the past dissemination of
information was slow and indirect filtered and usually thru the official
print media over which the bureaucrats have total control. Even today
without the electronic forum we all would not know as much as we know
today. I believe there is a purpose behind the timely availability of
this forum. So all credit goes to John E Mead.

Even with the electronic forum I have not seen any of the
elected officers saying a word here. Hope this changes. And changes soon.

..doss

> all theosophical students regardless of affiliation or none I
> can see the wisdom of putting the current discussion on a
> separate Board. On the other hand if we create a new board
> every time a subject of limited popularity arises we will soon
> have our one forum fragmenting into more and more little ones.
> Perhaps another and more productive way of looking at this
> would be to allow the diversity of subjects to continue on this
> forum. Though a ULT associate has no personal investment in
> Adyar politics I think there is still much to be learned
> concerning organizational dynamics that may help to create a
> better Organizational structure that will be to everyone's
> benefit.
>
> Jerry HE
> Member Theosophy International
> Associate ULT
> Member Theosophical Society Adyar
> Member Theosophical Society Pasadena
>
> ------------------------------------------|Jerry Hejka-Ekins
> ||Please reply to: jhe@toto.csustan.edu ||and
> CC to jhejkaekins@igc.apc.org
> |------------------------------------------
>