[Fmpro] Chiming in

[Doug Wood]

Hi friends,

I don't have time to read this list every day, but once in a while I drop in
to see what's going on. Let me clarify a few things:

The decision by the Board not to release its attendance records was not
unanimous.  The decision to increase the required signatures to an
unattainable and unreasonable number was not unanimous.

The opinion that ASCAP should move to 100% automated tracking is held by
several board members, and the opinion that ASCAP needs to significantly
overhaul its weighting formula is held by a growing number of board members.

As to who thinks what, that's up to individual Board members to explain, and
I think they should.  I have been a strong and public advocate for all of
these reforms (and more!) since my election to the Board seven years ago.
(The fact that one person by himself cannot change the system is, I hope,
pretty obvious.) 

I agree with the many writers who have posted here recently that the
election of the Board is the most critical time for ASCAP members to make
their feelings known. By voting ONLY for people who clearly explain their
positions and share your values, you increase their influence at the Board
and help to hasten changes which will benefit all members.

Doug Wood
ASCAP Writer Board member
Office Tel. (516) 883-0121

The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of
ASCAP, its directors, officers, management or staff.