4/26 MCPC followup

I agree as well - it was a very important and productive meeting.

But I have some concerns I need to express.

I understand that the new Special Inspections rules and NYC DoB issues in general are critical topics for our members who interact with the DoB. And I understand that these issues are at a critical stage and apply to all five boros so that MCPC should be dealing with them.

What I take issue with is using the precious small amount of time that MCPC meets, and devoting it to the minutiae of these issues. And while it may be minutiae to me, they are serious issues to others - I do understand that - I only call it minutiae in the context of the more global issues that also need attention.

The solution? I would favor forming a subcommittee of MCPC to deal with DoB issues. The subcommittee would be comprised of members, appointed by the chap presidents, who have the greatest interest in the DoB (which may be him(her)self) and would have the added advantage of continuity. Allow the subcommittee to deal with the nitty-gritty of their issues and have them report to MCPC (with only the necessary minutiae).

I actually make this suggestion with great trepidation. I realize that the only reason that MCPC has been resurrected after many years is through the efforts of those members with concerns about DoB. I would hope that if DoB concerns are handed off to the subcommittee that there is still sufficient motivation to keep MCPC going.

The reason I bring this up now - as productive as the meeting was - I was disappointed that the agenda item "Membership" drew the short straw. The meeting had been going on four+ hours and the item was about to be tabled until I objected. We managed to have a short discussion but by then everyone was tired and some participants had already left the meeting. I had some ideas on paper that I distributed but there was no time to discuss them. So the same evening. I emailed meeting minutes with my notes attached hoping to continue the discussion online.

To facilitate an online discussion, I set up a simple blog. I agree with Kelly that the blog I set up is not ready for prime time. My intent is to use the blog just for us as a way to keep an orderly ongoing discussion of MCPC matters between meetings. Post an idea - then comment on the idea. At some point, we should have a public blog, but for now, just a simple tool to conduct an online discussion.

Eric offered to incorporate his ideas with mine to produce a list of action items related to membership. Joe made some corrections to the minutes. And Tom offered his comments on my ideas by email. But I have not heard from anyone else. And no one is using the blog. We should not wait for the next meeting in June to pick up this discussion.

So lets use the blog. Click on www.nycpe.blogspot.com

If you have an item you want posted, email it to me. If you have trouble accessing the blog posting comments, let me know. But lets keep the process rolling.

Gee Eng

In a message dated 4/27/2011 12:04:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kknorris@nysspe.org writes:

My sentiments exactly!!! Thanks for having me at this very important and productive meeting, I literally could have spent at least a half hour with each of you on various topics of importance and I will make arrangements to do so next time.  Mark and I are getting together tomorrow to draft the comments so I will have them back to you ASAP. 

I am writing a summary of the meeting for the E-newsletter, I like the blog idea, but I am not going to include it because I think we need some ground rules for it before it is ready for prime time.

Best to all and many thanks,

Kelly

From: Doyle, Louise [mailto:lld9@westchestergov.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 11:55 AM
To: gltpe@msn.com; tpetracca@tompetracca.com; ejshapiro@att.net; abrand@mrce.com; golovchenkog@coned.com; gpeng@aol.com; mailrudi@yahoo.com; earcement@samschwartz.com; BEFlynnPE@aol.com; petallidespe@aol.com; JoeP1106@aol.com
Cc: Kelly Norris
Subject: RE: Special Inspection Update meeting April 26, 2011 at 6pm

HI everyone, I’m sorry that I had to run out last night but I took the meeting announcement at face value that it would end at 8 pm.  Please send me the minutes so I know what else was discussed and if anything needs my attention. Erich, thanks for hosting; Joe, thanks for the beverages and George, please thank mom for the treats.