Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00277)

I just happened to find an interesting statement in AT Mar/Apr
1993 by Dorothy Abbenhouse the then National President in the Viewpoint
section. I am quoting some of the relevant parts below:

"The by-law committee has been working hard to bring TSA by-laws
into harmony with today's practices and language. Willamay Pym David Bland
and Tim Boyd are members who serve on that committee and they will present
proposed changes for membership approval when these are ready. The following
statement has been produced by the committee and is being printed here to
invite discussion by members prior to its consideration at the annual
meeting in Aug. It will then be put to the membership by referendum."

BE IT RESOLVED- .......
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That this resolution shall be published in the American Theosophist
for purposes of discussion by the members and after that after due
discussion and after consideration at an annual meeting the question shall
be put to the membership of the Theosophical Society in America by a
referendum for their decision."

The procedure that was followed in 1993 was first to publish the
resolution on bylaws in AT to provide a window of five months during which
members could discuss and after due discussion and after consideration at an
annual meeting the bylaws are put to the membership by referendum. The steps
and the time line and the objectives are very clear.

In 1995 under the new leadership the changes are being
roadrollered with no time for any member discussions with a hurried
referendum. The changes that were considered in 1993 were generally more
cosmetic than substantial. Even so Dorothy Abbenhouse trusted members and
found it wise and practical to provide ample opportunity for members to
fully discuss them before they are implemented. This simply shows that she
was approaching the changes in a very open and cooperative spirit and
attitude as it should be since the cooperation of every member will go a
long way to keep the unity and strength of TSA.

Lo and behold the changes proposed in 1995 that is being voted. The
changes are very very substantial in terms of their impact on the rights and
previleges/autonomy of members and lodges and concentration of authority at
National level for financial micromanagement of the affairs of the lodges
and study centers thus providing an effective tool for Wheaton to exert
pressure on the types of programs and activities of lodges and study centers
will be able to carryout.

The National President has a responsibility to consult with the
members when such major fundamental changes are proposed. And also there is
an urgent need to explain to the membership in a convincing manner why this
180 degree turn from the past the procedure effectively cutting of
discussion by membership. The speed with which these changes are
roadrollered appears to give the impression that there is a rush to seize
control that a quick passage the new bylaws will provide.

Wake up fellow members before it is too late.

MK Ramadoss