|
Post by levon on Sept 27, 2005 11:50:08 GMT -5
I was just wondering if there are any NY GOAL members reading this. If so...has anyone received a Goal newsletter lately ?!?!? I can't even remember the last one I received. Things haven't been the same since they changed the name from GOAL GAZETTE to Goal newsletter. (and yes I am a member in good standing!)
|
|
|
Post by willy on Oct 4, 2005 12:41:33 GMT -5
The new version of the GOAL GAZETTE which is now called GOAL NY is nowhere near as good or interesting as the original has been for about 20 years. The new version (on those rare occasions where it is actually published) is: cold, dry, sterile, lifeless and uninteresting at best. I'm sure the newest editor had good intentions but it misses the mark terribly. If the new President has the intestinal fortitude, he'll return the newsletter to it's previous editor. Maybe some of the past contributing writers would see fit to contribute once again and bring it back to it's higher standards. They won't touch it the way it is now. I guess some people feel "If it ain't broke, let's show how creative we are and let's fix it anyway". And of course it falls flat on it's face. Anyone else have any opinions on this? Huh?
|
|
|
Post by burner on Oct 12, 2005 23:15:04 GMT -5
Let's correct something right from the get-go. The last time an "official newsletter" was issued was February 2004! What has been distributed since that time, at infrequent intervals, is not "a publication of an by the General Membership" but a publication of and by GOAL's Board of Directors.
In years past members received "their" publication, the GOAL GAZETTE. From time to time, independently and at infrequent intervals, the president would issue a LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT covering specific matters that he or she deemed important enough to require wide distribution. Such presidential missives were in addition to the short column the president was granted, as a courtesy, in the official membership newsletter.
This system worked well for 20-plus years. In the LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT the president, and in effect the Board, got to communicate whatever (s)he wanted to whenever (s)he wanted to and at such length as (s)he deemed necessary, without having to give "equal time" to opposing views. Members, on the other hand, had their own publication for expressing views, opinions and comments, whether or not they agreed with the "official" line of the officers. This publication was the GOAL GAZETTE. And over the years there have been opposing views expressed, much to the discomfort of some Board members. And that's how it SHOULD be. The GOAL GAZETTE also provided news about the organization, its members, and other matters related to law enforcement, particularly (but not limited to) those that had a "gay" connection.
Now there is only one publication. It is NOT that the the GOAL GAZETTE, continues under a new name. It is the LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT that continues to be issued, and is now called a "GOAL Newsletter". There has been no MEMBERSHIP newsletter since February 2004; instead the president's letter has been given a title and now contains, as addendum, a few articles...many of which, but not all, relate to GOAL and law enforcement issues.
GOAL By-laws require that there be an official newsletter and that it be called, SPECIFICALLY, the GOAL GAZETTE. Without amending the By-laws neither the editor, nor the entire executive board if it so chooses, can arbitrarily change the name of the "official membership newsletter" from the GOAL GAZETTE to something else.
The By-laws also require that the Editor publish and distribute the official newsletter, SPECIFICALLY, on a bi-monthly basis. Without amending the By-laws neither the editor nor the entire executive board can arbitrarily change the frequency of publishing the "official membership newsletter" from bi-monthly to something else.
Since we have not seen anything called the GOAL GAZETTE issued since February 2004, and since we have not seen anything published on a bi-monthly basis since that time we can only conclude, as I have, that publication of the OFFICIAL membership newsletter was suspended as of that date. The violation is not that someone arbitrarily changed the name of the publication, or arbitrarily reduced its frequency of publication; the violation is that the official newsletter ceased publication. Period. And we're all the losers for it.
|
|
|
Post by bluepride on Oct 15, 2005 23:20:15 GMT -5
Great detailed posting. I know you're a stickler for details. Well, everything that you said is correct and on the money. It's too bad that the newsletter was allowed to deteriorate to the point that it has. Members complain to each other about the absence of a cohesive and consistent newsletter but that seems to be about as far as it goes. What the previous two presidents failed to realize (or just didn't give a crap, which is more likely!) is that members pay for this newsletter as part of their membership dues. I'm not trying to be overly critical because I know how hard it is to run an organization like GOAL. But there are obligations to the membership which are mandated to be met.
The latest president has shown, so far, to have a better grasp on things and how to run the group. As of now he hasn't shown me anything but positivity. He seems to take the bull by the horns and manages to get things done. Of course, we'll see how long the honeymoon lasts! I think he'll do a good job. Just a gut feeling. If the Public Service Announcement regarding recruitment for the NYPD is any indication then things will get better for GOAL in the future. The PSA was smartly done and is top notch. And the way George dealt with the blockheads at some of the TV stations shows me a no-nonsense approach to things. I like that.
Let's see how the newsletter situation is handled.
|
|
|
Post by burner on Jan 10, 2006 0:19:44 GMT -5
Just an update on this matter.... This week marks seven months ... SEVEN MONTHS!!!!! ... since a "newsletter" has been issued. If you're a GOAL member, unless you go to meetings you don't know yet that: (1) you have a new president - SINCE AUGUST; (2) under this new president GOAL has finally shown it has balls and is willing to fight for something (Lt. Laurel Hester's case); and (3) because of a monumental screw-up the P.O. Box that GOAL has had for 23 years was lost... and a new one had to be secured. FYI it is: GOAL P.O. Box 1774 Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113
...and these are just the "highlights" of the "news" you should be getting, but are not. Should it be reported in a newsletter? Absolutely. But even without that, what the hell is the Corresponding Secretary doing? These are major bits of information that should have been communicated to the members IMMEDIATELY by the Corresponding Secretary, whether under the president's signature or under her own. As the position will have a vacancy to be filled by the incoming Board (last year's CS has been elected to another office effective 1/1/06), let's hope the person appointed will take the job more seriously and...if it's not to much to ask... actually DO THE JOB!
|
|
|
Post by levon on Jan 10, 2006 9:41:04 GMT -5
Well Mr. Burner you along with other "posters" are right on the money. It was bad enough the GOAL GAZETTE has ceased being published but now the membership doesn't even know what is current news in the Gay Officers Action League...New President; GOAL in the news supporting Lt. Laurel Hester from NJ; results of the recent GOAL elections and what I personally think is the most important news the membership must know about is the situation regarding the Post Office Box. For 20+ years that box was paid for and emptied on a regular basis - what the H*LL happened. I am not one for airing dirty laundry, but the board member (or former board member) who obviously wasn't concerned enough to pay a bill or pick up mail must be identified and held accountable to the membership. I have often asked myself...if people don't want the work that comes along with an organization why do people get involved...oh I know...it is so they can put their title on a resume or shake someone's hand and say, "My name is @##* and I am the +#@ of the Gay Officers Action League.
|
|
|
Post by burner on Jan 10, 2006 11:52:37 GMT -5
Point well taken, levon. Some work their ass off for the organization while others sit back and file their nails .... but Oh my!.... they do have a "title" to put on their resume. Funny, but when I saw you say "My name is @##*" a few names popped into my mind without even having to think about it. I've often referred to these people as @##* and sometimes as #@&*$#@&!!! [Hey, this is the "get it off your chest" section, isn't it??]
|
|
|
Post by exgoalli on Jan 10, 2006 23:30:32 GMT -5
MY MY MY MY MY
|
|
|
Post by willy on Jan 12, 2006 17:56:34 GMT -5
apparently some chickens are coming home to roost in that group,huh?
|
|
|
Post by willy on Jun 4, 2006 9:53:06 GMT -5
interesting to read the newest goal newsletter. looks like a couple of baby steps in the right direction. Now its called "The Gazette". It should be called the "GOAL Gazette" but this is a start. And some fairly interesting articles instead of the usual self-serving drivel. It's a big improvement but it still should be given back to the editor who had been doing it for the last few years before the cheesy version we've been seeing. (on those rare times when it was actually published)
|
|
|
Post by burner on Jun 5, 2006 1:57:52 GMT -5
Wow! Returned tonight from a glorious week in Provincetown and found, among the bills and junk mail, and envelope bearing GOAL's return address. Opened the envelope and, seeing it was the newsletter, stuffed it back with plans to read it at a time when I was less concerned about my blood pressure rising (as it invariable has done upon the receipt and reading of newsletters past ... few though they were ... for the last 2 years). But then I logged on to BLUEPRIDE and read Willy's posting. "Hmmmmmm," I mused, "maybe I ought to check this out."
Willy is right-on. Baby steps, to be sure, but in the right direction. Not only has the title word "Gazette" found its way back to the masthead (not yet "GOAL Gazette" ... baby steps) but, for the second publication in a row, the interval has been the standard two-months (not 6 or 8 as had been the case for the last 2 years). Some of us remember that the February 2006 newsletter was the first one since June 2005! We've now seen one issued in February, April and June 2006. Could it be that the distribution in February of an unofficial newsletter called the "Record" actually got someone to sit up and take notice (in it GOAL was taken to task for not keeping its members informed on a regular and timely basis)?
And there is, finally, some "meat" in the newsletter again. I was particularly impressed with the article called Remembering Police Week - 2006. Of course the proof-reading could have been a little better but I'm not here to nit-pik.....much. There's still a way to go for the newsletter to rise to the standards set in years gone by, but every journey does indeed begin with baby steps. Maybe in the next issue they can spell the Assistant Treasurer's name correctly.
|
|
|
Post by bluepride on Jun 5, 2006 10:29:05 GMT -5
In reference to the above couple of postings regarding GOAL and it's "newsletter": The latest edition of the newsletter, now called "The Gazette" is a marked improvement over what we've seen over the last couple of years. Now....I was with the President and his other half yesterday. We spoke about the "newsletter" and how it has noticably improved recently. The reason it was called "The Gazette" is because when certain members speak of the GOAL Gazette, they usually just refer to it as "the Gazette" and not by it's proper name. George and Anthony thought they were doing the right thing by calling it "The Gazette". So, I give them a lot of credit for trying to do the right thing. I'm sure by the next issue it will be returned to the proper title that it had for over 20 years, "The Goal Gazette". It was an honest mistake. We also spoke about other issues concerning the organization. And, unfortunately, the same old issues seem to have risen with certain board members and their own self-importance. It's an old story, with board members thinking that they're God's gift to GOAL, or whatever group they belong to. And board members "expecting" certain perks as if they have a right to them. It doesn't work that way,guys. All that does is lead to destruction of the organization. Learn from history,people. My honest opinion is that George is doing the best he can and is trying to rectify the numerous mistakes and blunders of the past few years. And he didn't really have a hand in creating those blunders, even though he was a board member for some of them. Yeah, sometimes he doesn't rectify them in the way that we all would like, but at least he is making an honest effort. And he'd do better if the members who were around before GOAL's destructive years were able to better articulate the way things were done in the past. He really wants the organization to be as viable as it once was. And I'm not trying to kiss his butt by writing all of this. I have nothing to gain by it. I've been in his shoes and have been around a lot longer than him and many others, so I know what he's going through and what some of his predecessors have gone through. At this point, I get off the fence and say I totally support George. It would be nice if some of his board would do the same. So the newsletter is improving and will continue to do so. For some members, it's the only contact they have with GOAL. The only thing I'd ask for is that it be given back to it's previous editor, if for no other reason than it would take another burden off of George's back! And another reason is that I won't have to create graphics like this one! In fact, if things keep going well, this graphic may become obsolete! See below!
|
|
|
Post by burner on Jun 5, 2006 13:58:15 GMT -5
Hmmmmmmmm. So, Bluepride, am I to read into your last posting that George and Anthony are now putting together GOAL's newsletter? I guess this proves the point made in the unofficial "Record" that what we receive is a publication from the Board, not the "membership newsletter," the "GOAL Gazette", that members used to receive. And that's OK, just so we're clear about it.
The last I heard, GOAL's current VEEP is nominally the editor of the "GOAL Gazette", and it was his nose, not George's, that got bent out of shape when the "Record" [issued to fill in the blanks left by the absence of a real membership newsletter] appeared in email boxes of many GOAL members last February.
In the old days the Gazette's editor compiled news from a variety of sources, interviewed and followed up with people to ensure the accuracy of stories, wrote the bulk of the newsletter's content, prepared the layout of articles and photographs (and always gave photo credit to those gracious enough to provide them), had it proof-read by two people before having it printed (and even then an error or two would slip by occasionally), took the masters to the printer, folded and stuffed a couple hundred newsletters into envelopes, added postage and stamped the return address in the corner before turning them over for the application of address labels and ultimate mailing. An average of 40 to 50 hours were dedicated to producing and distributing each bi-monthly edition.
If George and Anthony are doing all the work of putting a newsletter together, and people like George and Tommy and Mark and Sal (plus the uncredited photographers) are providing most of its content, just what is it that the Gazette's "editor" does anyway?
I totally agree with you, Bluepride...and it's not sucking up or kissing ass: I totally support George and all he is trying to do to turn around the albatross he inherited, and do it without the help and support he deserves from all Board members. He shouldn't have to do it alone, and thank goodness he has Anthony to help and support him with a thankless task.
|
|
|
Post by bluepride on Jun 5, 2006 14:03:54 GMT -5
Just to clarify some things I said in the previous post: George and I were not gossiping about any board members nor were we ripping anyone apart. I just interpreted a few things he said and made my decisions to post what I believed, as a reasonable person. I happen to like most of the current board. Some, I'm not too crazy about. But thats just me.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2006 13:26:13 GMT -5
Hi guys.thanks for your input on the need for GOAL to restart it's newsletter. I have spoken to president Farrigia and he told me that the newsletter will be up and running again soon. I told him that without a newsletter, the membership has no way of knowing what's going on in the organization. He works very hard but if the members don't know this they will think he is doing nothing. I have great respect for George Farrugia. He is doing a great job and GOAL NY needs more people like him. I'm sure that one day soon, the GOAL Gazette will show up in my mailbox. It's been quite a while since I've seen it. In the meantime Florida's newsletter, The Florida Legal Brief, comes out four times a year and the membership loves it. Anyone who would like a copy, just let me know and I will put you on the mailing list. Carroll Hunter-Florida LEGAL
|
|