Theos-Talk Archives (February 2005 Message tt00328)

As an active member for the last ten years, resident-staff member at the National 
Center and three years on the National Board of Directors, I feel compelled to add a 
short comment to this discussion.

There is undoubtedly a certain gap in the information the general membership has 
and what goes on 'behind the scenes', but that gap is due to the nature of institutions 
and does not stem from any conspiratorial intentions (I do recognize and appreciate 
that Jerry says the same in the end of this message).

What I would like to clarify is that most of what goes on at the level of the board is 
financial, and what is 'secret' is generally limited to personnel issues. I can assure 
you that the board's primary concern is the vitality of theosophy and the needs of our 
membership. Those in leadership positions often sacrifice a great deal in order to 
dedicate their time and energy to the T.S.A., and all because they believe in the 
mission of keeping theosophy alive in the world.

Jerry is right in that politics are inevitable, but in my experience, which is admittedly 
limited, politics almost always take a back seat to serving theosophy and our 
members. As I will serve another three years on the board, I intend to do all I can to 
keep it that way and trust Betty Bland will do the same.

For those of you who wish to add organizational involvement to your spiritual 
committments, I suggest you run for the board when the opportunity arrives. Or, at 
the very least, become involved in running the lodge, study center or camp nearest to 
you. Spiritual work needs a context, and someone has to be responsible for 
providing it.

Peace to all of you,

Chris Richardson

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Jerry Hejka-Ekins <jjhe@c...> wrote:
> Daniel,
> 
> After twenty years, in most cases, I couldn't even tell you "exactly" 
> what my words were, let alone someone else's. Further, I think you have 
> been around the TS long enough to have at least intuited that when an 
> action is taken against an activity, lodge, individual etc. the 
> officially stated reasons rarely have much to do with what is really 
> going on. In the TS information travels through what is called "the 
> Theosophical grapevine." It is not recorded in the journals, and 
> questions aimed at tracing the source of the information typically 
> brings the answer: "I heard it on good authority." Even that inner 
> group meeting at Lake Geneva I mentioned in an earlier post is not 
> documented in any way. There was no written announcement of that 
> meeting, no notes were taken, no tape recorder was running. Even at the 
> level of the National Board, those who attend those meetings are told 
> not to discuss what goes on. "Privacy" is given as the reason. But 
> there is more to it than that. Much is discussed and done which does 
> not show up in the official minutes. I know this from corroborating 
> statements from several different Board members of the past. Though 
> there are occasional leaks. Ever since the days of Besant, the mode for 
> maintaining control has been passive aggressive. Few members are aware 
> of this, unless they happen to get caught up in one of the currents. 
> Even then, they often don't get it. If you are interested in how these 
> things work, you have to look at the underlying process. Published 
> official statements and "talking points" never reveal the true 
> complexities. I am not suggesting conspiracy theories. I'm trying to 
> describe how the political side of any institution which has to deal 
> with a large voting membership works to maintain power. The TS is no 
> exception. 
> 
> --j