I was at Convention the year they proposed its adoption. Don't remember if
it was in the 70s or 1980. I think the ladder. I do remember sitting
across from Carl Stillman during a dinner held at the main building and
debating the issue with him.
jhe
----- Original Message -----
From: <ramadoss@infohwy.com>
To: <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 9:53 PM
Subject: Re: Theos-World TS(Adyar) - Election of President
> I vaguely recall seeing some msg that the 35 year age came about in 1930s.
> I may be wrong. Can anyone verify when the 35 year rule was put in?
>
> mkr
>
>
> At 08:54 PM 4/25/01 -0700, you wrote:
> >Best as my memory serves me, the earliest bylaw change to filter out
> >unwanted candidates came about by or before 1980 when a then young
Nathaniel
> >Altman had recently published a book on vegetarianism with Quest, and
> >decided to run for National President. The Board then passed a bylaw
> >setting the minimum age for a Presidential candidate at thirty-five.
This
> >effectively disqualified Nate--at least for that election.
> >
> >I suspect that the process has always been politically closed, but as far
as
> >I know, it was only in the 1970s that any ordinary members ever thought
> >about trying to get into this inner circle without going through the
hoops.
> >Perhaps John Coates indirectly had something to do with this.
> >
> >I understand now that the number of Board members are going to be
reduced.
> >Since a recent bylaw requires that a Presidential candidate must first
serve
> >on the Board, the loopholes are tightening still.
> >
> >Unless there have been recent changes that I'm not aware, I think we can
> >expect to welcome Betty Bland as our next "democratically elected"
National
> >President.
> >
> >jhe
> >
> >
> >
> > > You and Doss are right on Jerry,
> > >
> > > Ever since the too-close-for-comfort race, between Bing Escudero and
> >Dorothy
> > > Abbenhouse back in the mid eighties, Wheaton has been steadily
changing
> >the
> > > National by-laws to put the nomination procedure more and more in
their
> > > control. Gone are the days, when a well known and skillful
representative
> >of
> > > the membership could be considered and nominated for National Office.
It
> >has
> > > been a politically closed, ongoing dynasty ever since Dora left
office.
> >The
> > > ignorance and apathy of the membership allows the situation to
continue.
> >The
> > > situation with Radha is simply a higher reflection of the way the
> >democratic
> > > process is interpreted and manifested within the Adyar Theosophical
> > > Organizations. I suspect that this cancer may be widespread,
throughout
> >the
> > > body. However, I readily apologize to any TS organization which
remains
> > > uninfluenced by National, International or the E.S and still enjoys
the
> > > benefits of a well informed, clean and free election process.
> > >
> > > In my opinion, the salvation and future of the Theosophical Movement
lies
> >in
> > > the potential of the computer age. Here, we do not need organizational
> > > politics. Here, all we need is each other, the ability to communicate
and
> >of
> > > course, our beloved subject, which binds us all together.
> > >
> > > Louis
> > >
>
