organizational fundamentals

[jeff soule]

Based on the disussion of new directions, I would like to know what are the by laws of the TSA and of the International? If we had those, along with the current articles of incorporation, at least we wouldn't have to speculate about what can and cannot be done to change the many structural defects that appear as barriers to the members future development of the purpose. So I suggest that these be obtained and then we can see how to transform the institutional aspect.

Second, I am not clear what the current vision of the TSA or the International is. Perhaps the institutional devolution is because of the fundamental lack of vision. It should be the fundamental goal to promote the esoteric schools and the ancient wisdom, in my opinion. There are nascent stirrings in the world of a collective desire for individuals to awaken and evolve to a higher level of clarity and purpose, yet there is a leadership and an articulation vacuum.

Finally, I believe that Krishnaji was right about organizations, leaders and gurus being incapable of showing the path, yet I also believe that collective consciousness will allow the development of thousands of Krishnaji's, rather than well-meaning people struggling to find their way through reading and listening to K, Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, Bessant...."and all the rest." So the path is an individual one but the climate can be shaped by the collective body.

[Govert Schuller]

Dear Jeff,

You will find National Bylaws of the Theosophical Society in America here.

And the Bylaws of the International Theosophical Society here.

The TSA is engaged in a "Visioning Project."

As far as living up to the rules and by-laws is concerned, the following:

On the international TS level it is the General Council (GC) at the yearly GC meeting, which is supposed to set policies for the TS, but it looks like this is not the case in actuality. It probably is the President of the TS (PTS) and her board (or inner circle), who set policies with the GC going along. Some GC members tried to propose some changes to the by-laws, but, as we members are formally shut out of the process of policy-formation, we have no idea if and what is proposed. Last year we found out when the proposal was leaked to the membership.

At the TSA level it is the membership which is supposed to set policies at the yearly business meeting, but, as is the case in Adyar, it is the General Secretary / President and the board (or inner circle) who set policies with the membership going along.

Whether this deviation from the basic by-laws is a satisfactory arrangement or not is to be decided, after knowing the facts, by every member for him or herself, after which he or she will have to decide to become active and/or vocal or not.

How we got into such an arrangement is another question. It is possible that the TS is and always has been structurally an authoritarian, semi-secret organization run by an inner core of the Esoteric Section with some democratic window-dressing in its by-laws. It is also possible that the TS is and always has been intended to be a transparent, democratic organization, but members have so far not yet sufficiently faced, thought through and implemented its implications.

The TSA's Envisioning Project seems to address some of such issues as it talks about "rooting out" inhibiting hierarchies; encouraging egalitarianism and create forums for collaboration. In my opinion to achieve those goals the TSA will have to confront its own organizational structure, the ways decisions are made, and which groups of stakeholders might have accumulated inordinate influence over the years. In short: the whole question of power relationships as they have developed over the course of the TSA's existence and which do not reflect the letter and spirit of the by-laws. Crucial here is by-law 7 covering "Powers and Duties," which states that the TSA Board is charged with the execution of the policies determined by the members. As this is obviously not happening the question is: who does set the policies and how can we belatedly implement this most participatory and crucial of by-laws?

BTW, these musings are partially inspired by my reading of social scientist Bent Flyvbjerg, about which I reported here.

[Janeth]

>"..In my opinion to achieve those goals the TSA will have to confront its own organizational structure, the ways decisions are made, and which groups of stakeholders might have accumulated inordinate influence over the years. In short: the whole question of power relationships as they have developed over the course of the TSA's existence and which do not reflect the letter and spirit of the by-laws.<---AMEN to this!!

[jeff soule]

Hi Govert!

Thanks you very much. This is extremely helpful. I will take a look and then decide what I might do as an individual member--of course I would prefer to build on your, and other's more familiar with the politics, comments and ideas., collectively to build strength.

By the way, Mr. Flyvbjerg appears to me to be promoting a political/ideological and social point of view rather than objective research, based on an encounter with him and his "analysis" of a major planning issue he "researched" a few years ago. I don't object to having such a point of view, just with pretending it's scholarly research. I will take a look at what you posted from him and try to give it a fair reading, though.

Nice to have your help as always, many thanks.

Jeff

[Janeth]

>"I am not clear what the current vision of the TSA or the International is."<---Whatever that vision might be, until decisions are made in a Theosophical manner, and in the interests of the Society (all TSA members form the second largest Section of the Society), and not what's in the best interests of employees or volunteers whom we have granted the privilege to run our Society, and hire those who are suppose to help run it in a fair, just and unbias manner, any vision those in authority may have and try to implement will be unsuccessful. Valuable time and energy will continue to be lost and more and more souls will continue to get hurt thus hindering the progress/evolution of the Society as a whole.

The current/immediate vision should be to fix very serious matters as, among others, the ones mentioned on

http://theosophical.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lodge-historydoes-it-ne...

BTW: This is no joke.