[Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 28, Issue 2

[flight007@aol.com]

Hi Doug
I'm sure composers do not want the demise of ASCAP, and all want ASCAP 
to be as fair to its members as possible.  When you have the Board 
allowing members to vote on the Board Member Nomination rule change, 
i.e. from 25 paid up members to 1012, where the results of voting on 
such a rule change were not specified but rolled up in an attorney 
advised long winded 'bring the rule up to date' statement, there is 
difficulty in having faith in our leaders.  So many things are hidden 
 from the members such as source of income, Board Members' attendance 
records, true and transparent answers to questions without fear of 
fiscal retaliation.
I totally agree that we should work for positive change, but how long 
will that be and how many obstacles will be set before the members.  To 
start, let us have a Board that can be fairly and democratically 
elected.  Not a Board that has put up electrified razor wire barricades 
of legal mumbo jumbo and secrecy to protect themselves from being voted 
off.
I am thankful you are on the Board, I voted for you, but you give the 
impression you have to play by the book, and it's the Board's book, not 
the members.  Let us work together, but give us something to work with.

Vic


Other questions: I can't possibly answer all the machine-gun questions
thrown at me from this list. What I can say is that I believe ASCAP is 
the
last, best chance for composers to have their rights protected against 
those
who would like to take them away. While I agree there are many problems
which need to be resolved, I believe we are better off working for 
positive
change within the institution than trying to bring about its demise.

Doug Wood

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



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