[NCUC-EC] Hello

[Edward Morris]

Hi everybody,


It’s been interesting to read the various theories about where I have been.
No, I haven’t been off getting married. Nor have I thrown in the towel on
this challenge completely or left planet Earth (although I am going to
Pyongyang in April, which may qualify).


Unfortunately I’ve been busy experiencing the wonders of the British NHS.
When I came back from my second trip to the United States last month I
became quite ill. I was hospitalised for about a week, released, and three
days later was found unconscious by Genvieve in our flat and
re-hospitalised. I was twice given the Anointment of the Sick, the Catholic
ritual commonly referred to as the Last Rites, and it was touch and go for
about ten days as to whether I would survive.


Medical details are unimportant other than it appears that I contracted a
horrible virus that eventually caused me to become septic. My diabetes
didn’t help and the pancreas, heart and lungs were all compromised. I was
released about a week ago and have been trying to sort life out over the
holiday weekend,  whilst also trying to ensure that the NHS hadn’t released
me too soon again.


At the moment I seem to be O.K.  My current priority, besides paying bills,
is reviewing some proofs of a book chapter I’ve written  that is supposed
to be back to the publisher today. Once that is done I’ll prioritize my
NCUC commitment and see what I can do to have some deliverables before
Beijing.


In reviewing the various digests I’ve received I note the following:



1. In my absence, Tapani has graciously done my work. He has nothing but my
gratitude for his tireless effort at these mundane tasks. I will be in
contact with him in the next few days to compare notes and databases to
ensure we have the same information and am on the same page.



2. When I took sick leave, Milton and I had just reached a moment of
tranquility regarding appointment of a Secretary Treasurer. It appears
nothing further has been done on this matter.


I note Bill has listed this as an item for discussion at the NCUC meeting
in Beijing. I would ask that discussion be broadened to encompass a review
of our noncompliance with much of our current Charter. I think that is a
discussion that needs to take place.



3. Three of the people I initially brought into the NCUC have indicated to
me their intention to resign from both the NCUC and NCSG at the earliest
opportunity. I’ll try to encourage them to reverse course but don’t have
much hope. The stated reasons are varied but you can assume what I told
them they would find and what they have found in our little world are
dissimilar. People are looking for more diplomatic ways out, but that’s the
essence of it.


The individuals involved will have to make their intentions known
themselves. I only want to alert you to the possibility we may no longer
have anybody doing the redesign of our web pages. We’re also about to lose
a CPA with an MBA who has had his offers of assistance ignored and a Nordic
IG specialist who finds himself nonplused by the personal attacks on the
list.



4. I’m ready to launch Outreach, as I have been since Los Angeles, with a
substantial direct mailing (e-mail) to over seventy targeted individuals
and organisations. Much of this possibility is due to Olga Korotkova who
has assisted me not only with the Russian outreach but also with some i.p.
targets.


All I am waiting on is a FAQ sheet extolling the virtues of membership from
our Communications team. This was promised to me in Los Angeles and has not
been delivered. I’d suggest we also want this sheet for distribution in
Beijing at whatever Outreach event we are having  and as a basic document,
translated into multiple languages, on our web site.


Once the mailing had been sent out the action plan was to activate the
Committee with an idea towards greater Outreach for numbers, as opposed to
need.


There is still time before Beijing to proceed with this plan and gain some
momentum. Covering e-mails, in both English and, where appropriate, Russian
are ready to go. I’m dependent upon those better able than I to draft a
quality FAQ to send with them. Once done the FAQ will be immediately
translated into Russian for use in that segment of Outreach.


I should also note my intention to attend the Russian IGF in April at my
own expense to do some Outreach and meet what I had hoped to be our new
Members / Applicants. I note Wolfgang is scheduled to speak at the event.
This is contingent on us having made substantial progress in starting
outreach in the CIS region.


I’m also tentatively scheduled to be at the INTA annual  meeting in Dallas
in May. There is a substantial nonprofit / academic/ civil society
component of the INTA that does not necessarily buy into some of the more
radical positions of the IPC and I felt it appropriate to reach out to
them, as well,  as potential members.



5. At the time of my illness I was completing the membership list. As
Tapani can testify, that largely is a one person job (albeit with help from
many sources) of a rather complex nature. I had a basic list composed in
Los Angeles and was integrating it with  three other lists with it on a
spreadsheet.


Tapani appears, thankfully,  to have overtaken me on that effort. Once I
can confirm or assist him with completion we’’ll start up the wider Inreach
effort. I have had conversations with every member of the Inreach
Committee and will endeavor to set up a group chat prior to Beijing.



Tapani once posed a question as to what would happen to the NCUC if Milton
were to be hit by a bus. From my absence I think we have the answer: our
Finnish colleague would simply take his place. :) Again, I’m grateful for
the work Tapani has done in my absence.


I’ll be in contact with everyone over the next few days. I recognize the
importance of Beijing and, as I said, I’m short one document from being
able to crank things up with little effort. Hopefully we can figure a way
to get that done.


KInd Regards,



Ed Morris
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