Theos-Talk Archives (September 2008 Message tt00142)

I've put this to one of my contacts close to the center of TS power. 

My opinion is: I agree that the president should be voted for
directly. The general council is not a democratic body (members get on
there in a variety of ways: some more directly democratic than others)
and should be reformed before it's given more executive power. 

Generally speaking though: the TS does have to be run, people. And
that does involve a measure of politics. Just like the US has to be
run and that involves making choices and taking responsibility. 

But I do think we should be sure that this is a proposal in the formal
sense (as in: the president and council are seriously considering
implementing this) as opposed to a way to start a brainstorm about how
the TS should be organized. Only when it's a serious proposal in the
first sense should we start going activist about this. If it comes to
that though, please involve me in spreading the news and signing the
petition. 

Katinka Hesselink
http://www.allconsidering.com/
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/
--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "t_s_theosophist" <THEOSOPHIST@...>
wrote:
>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> POLITICS STILL AFOOT IN THE T.S. 
> 
> Dear Fellow Theosophists; 
> 
> We are informed by two Theosophists of repute and long standing,
Pedro Oliveria, and Aryel Sanat, that attempts are currently being
made to try to restrict the freedoms of members of The Society. 
> 
> A proposal being presented to the General Council would restrict the
voting for Predisent to ONLY members of the General Council and strip
the general membership of this cherished privilidge. 
> 
> Colonel Olcott established our ground rules the way he did so that
EVERY member would have this Freedom of Choice & selection. 
> 
> This is a Very Important Landmark in maintaining The Freedom of The
Society. To concentrate this 
> power in the hands of a small group even if it is The General
Council would be a disasterous attack on The Freedom of The Society. 
> 
> One questions WHY would the proposers of this scheme even want to
change the rules,and to WHAT Purpose? There is NO 
> legitimate need for this change. It all smells very fishy and odious
of political machination. 
> 
> Can we forget politics and get back to our True Task and Purpose of
Studying and Teachng Theosophy? 
> We urge Every Freedom loving and sincere Theosophist to register
their opposition and complaint to this stinking power ploy. It is a
Very Bad proposal and NOT needed. 
> 
> Fraternally; 
> William Delahunt
> Orlando, Florida
> Theosophist@... 
> 
> Blow is the news from Pedro and Aryel: 
> 
> TS: A MOMENT OF TRUTH 
> 
> Dear Friends, 
> 
> The attached proposal has come to my notice. One of its proposed
amendments (to Rule 10 of the Rules of the TS), if approved, will
cause the termination of an important landmark in the history of The
Theosophical Society: the right of its members to elect the
international President in a direct vote. 
> 
> The amendment in question establishes that the President will be
elected by the members of the General Council which counts
approximately 37 members at the present. 
> 
> As a concerned member I would like to suggest that a letter be
written to the International Secretary, who is the Secretary of the
Council, expressing profound concern and opposition to this
unprecedented attempt to disenfranchise the members of the
Theosophical Society world wide. 
> 
> May I suggest that if some of you would like to briefly express your
views regarding the proposed amendment that you send them to me or to
Mrs Ananya Rajan <ananya11@...>, so that we may incorporate them into
the document to be sent to the Secretary of the General Council. 
> 
> The work of the TS is too precious for the redemption and
transformation of the world for us to allow its entire membership to
be allienated from its right to elect its President. 
> 
> With warm and fraternal regards to all,
> Pedro Oliveira
> Sydney, Australia  
> 
> 
> Aryel Sanat   
> asanat@...
> 
> Pedro Oliveria   prmoliveira@... 
> 
> International Secretary : theossoc@... 
> 
> 
> =======================
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