[Vacets] VACETS revived or dissolved?

[Nguyen, Tuan H]

Dear all, 

I have normally kept my comments to a few, but in the face of recent
communications, I am compelled to address all.  I have personally worked
with Tri and Chris for the past few years on VACETS related activities
and not only consider them colleagues but friends.  However, my comments
are based on my observation of their professional leadership of VACETS
the past few years as a non-contributing member of VACETS.  I will be
the first to admit that my interest in VACETS has waned this past year
for a variety of personal reasons, none of which are related to
leadership.

I have witnessed ample calls for participation by members both in terms
of activities and leadership roles.  There have been very few, if any
responses.

There must be members to be reached out to, there must be members to
empower, and there must be members to read what is spelled out.

That's it.

This dialogue reminds me of a quote by the great George Bernard Shaw,
"the greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been
accomplished."

Regards,
tuan


-----Original Message-----
From: vacets-bounces at mail.saigon.com
[mailto:vacets-bounces at mail.saigon.com] On Behalf Of Tin Le
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 9:24 AM
To: vacets at saigon.com
Cc: vacets-gen at saigon.com
Subject: Re: [Vacets] VACETS revived or dissolved?

Hello VACETS,

As one of the original founders of VACETS, I am sad to hear of this
recent development.

One of the biggest problem facing any volunteer organization is lack of
participation.  You can ask any groups out there, big, small, they will
all tell you very similar issues they have to deal with.

1. How to increase member participation.

Without members participation, any organization will eventually wither
away and die.  It may take years for that to happen, but it is a
certain, but painful death.

I do not have the answer, nor do I have a solution for VACETS.

However.  As someone who have been involved in many similar volunteer
groups, either as founder, co-founder, or major participants, I would
like to contribute what little I've learned.

1. The organization _MUST_ reach out to its members.  It must make its
members feel a part of a community. E.g. community building efforts is
key.

2. The organization _MUST_ empower its members.  E.g. give its members a
chance to be active, whether big or small projects, but allow its
members the opportunity to grow, to feel that _they_ have a voice.

3. The goals of the organization _MUST_ be spelled out, rigorously
applied and maintained.  Its ethics and standards must be above all
reproach!

In the last few years, I do not see any of the above applied with regard
to VACETS.  I apologize in advance if anyone feel offended.  I am
speaking from the point of "just another member".

1. VACETS did not reach out to me.  I had no idea what's going on, no
constant updates, no information.  I had to actually go around asking
various people what is going on.  This is a terrible break down in
communication and leadership.

2. VACETS so far has act in an autocratic manners.  The top do things
and tell the rest what to do.  No empowerment.  My impression is that
VACETS do things that are in the interests of current leadership and not
what its members want or need.

3. I am not sure what the current goals and ethics of VACETS is.  If it
was published, then it was poorly advertised.  It's the responsibilities
of VACETS as an organization to communicate to all its
members/constituents its actions and plan of actions.

That's it.  I almost did not send this email... but as a long time
member, I thought I should contribute my 2 cents.  If my email stirred
up some discussions, good!  VACETS need more communications!  Not less.

Cheers,
Tin Le
--
"The real point is that you cannot harbor malice  toward others and then
cry foul when someone displays intolerance against you. Prejudice
tolerated is intolerance encouraged. Rise up in righteousness when you
witness the words and deeds of hate, but only if you are willing to rise
up against them all, including your own.
 Otherwise suffer the slings and arrows of disrespect silently." -
Harvey Fierstein



> Dear all,
>
> Here is the recent development within VACETS:
>
> Right after VTIC'07, I submitted to the Board (7 members) a 
> recommendation to dissolve VACETS as a non-profit, 501c corp citing 
> several reasons (e.g, non-responsive membership, overburdened 
> governing structure, diluted mission, and an unclear future with few 
> committed leaders). This
motion
> also suggests VACETS (or part of it) continuation as an unofficial 
> network whose activities (Vietmentor, VTICs, seminars,...) would still
continue.
> Chris Pham, submitted his resignation as the President-elect which I 
> accepted.
>
> After email deliberations and one teleconference with the Board and 
> several past Presidents, we agreed on one more effort to sustain and 
> revive VACETS as an official entity. Here are some details:
>
> 1. Hold-off election and recommendation, extend the term of current
BoD
> for another 6 months until 12/ 1.
> 2. Chris will referee this 6-month rebuilding effort with accountable
and
> clear success criteria:
>     2.A. Infrastructure: anh Dat Nguyen has expressed strong
commitment
> to
> lead this (website, logo, additional forums)
>     2.B. Fund raising: Ban Tran & Tri Tran
>     2.C. Membership and forums: anh Hai?, anh Hu`ng, Hung and James.
>     2.D. VietMentor: Christopher Pham
> 3. While those above are identified names, you are welcome to
particpate
> or lead. Call them if you want to help.
> 4. The main reason I cited and Chris and several agree was lack of 
> concrete contributions. Over the years, there were many ideas, 
> discussions, half-hearted attempts at several projects. Chris and I
had
> focused on tangible activities and had succeeded in getting several 
> through (VTIC'05, VTIC'07, Vietmentor, leadership panel at VANG'06, 
> project with GS Canh's Youth Outreach group,...) We need more people
to
> share these tasks obviously beyond the core 3,4 people.
> 5. There are many things you can contribute. Call one of us, donate
some
> money, identify simple tasks and do it..The groups above are to
propose
> clear deliverables.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Tri Tran
> VACETS President
>



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