REPLY Society Strategy Development (SD7188)

[SDMAIL Bill Braun]

Posted by  Bill Braun <bbraun at hlthsys.com>

Richard Stevenson writes and emphasizes (in addition to other ground
covered)
the need for a professional focus.

The question of academic versus professional seems to have descended into a
conversation that demands that we choose the ox by which we do not wish to
be
gored.

The Society already has SIGs (bodies of people who elect their own leaders
and pursue their agenda(s) of interest) and chapters (people whose common
interests are geographical). It is but a short walk to see this structure
morph slightly into schools of application. This easily opens the door to an
academic and a professional school of application.

Each school of application could elect its own officers, have its own web
site and autonomous discussion list (moderated or not, as they wish), and
pursue its own purposes. The collection of Society dues could be amended to
allow for a fractional designation to a school (or schools) of application
(not unlike pledging to United Way - either to the general fund or to a
specific charity). All of this could remain under the overarching umbrella
of
the Society. The dues designation would speak volumes about where indeed the
passion and the interest of the members of the Society reside.

There is only one reason I can see that would prevent this (there may be
others) - the debate has become so personal that some voices have painted
themselves into a corner of pride and principle that will not allow them to
stay under the umbrella of the Society. They should reconsider.

Bill Braun
Posted by  Bill Braun <bbraun at hlthsys.com>
posting date  Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:24:29 -0400