Theos-Talk Archives (September 2010 Message tt00086)

September 20, 2010


To:

Betty Bland, Tim Boyd, Elwin Barrett, Barbara Hebert, Marilyn Trotman, Jerome
A Michel, Wallace Rainey, Nelda Samarel

Dear Brother/Sister:

As some of you know, I am a member of TSA attached to San Antonio, Texas
Lodge.

There are two items relating to the administration at Wheaton which came to
my notice that I thought I should share my thoughts. They are the  Finance
Director and Chief of Staff.

Current plans seem to require the person  appointed to the Finance Director
job had to be physically present and work at Wheaton. You may all recall
that Bro Algeo, when he ran for the position of International President in
2008,  in his vision regarding administration of TS, stated that:

âBut the international rules do not require residence at Adyar for
administrators. Moreover, modern communication makes it possible for able
and dedicated people around the world to serve in key administrative posts,
without having to relocate from their homes.â

Thus implying that even the International President can function from
his/her home anywhere in the world.

Now we have an ideal opportunity for TSA to run a pilot test and see if the
replacement Finance Director can function from his home anywhere in the USA,
so long there is high speed Internet connection.

I urge the TSA Board to try the practical test to see if it is workable. If
it does, it will save a lot of money for TSA at a time of tight budget.
Also  it can be rolled out world-wide to all Sections as well as at
International level.

The second item of interest is the Chief of Staff position. This is an
expansion of bureaucracy by an additional level. Even though, it may start
off as voluntary, it may tend to slowly evolve into a highly paid position.
Also members do not know about the compensation in kind or otherwise for the
position. [Traditionally, compensation issues are tightly kept secrets in
all organizations.]

It looks like the new position is  just like the Chief of Staff to the
President of the United States. Such a position usually wields enormous
power due to its gate-keeper role. Members have no idea how this position is
going the improve spreading of theosophy in the USA and address the very
critical issue of membership recruitment and retention.

We all know that in TSA Membership has continued to decline, in spite of
leadership of very dedicated, highly educated, and highly experienced
theosophists at the top.

Let me also add that  I have never seen a chief of staff even at the
International level. When Annie Besant was President, she was very active in
her theosophical, political and social projects, and she did it without the
help of a chief of staff. She achieved much and all she had was a personal
assistant. So the current need at TSA is very intriguing, to say the least.

I request you all to consider the above in your decision making on the two
issues cited.

Fraternally yours


M K Ramadoss
San Antonio TX

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