If you ran the Observer...

[Jim O'Bryan]

Many things came out of the last Advisory Board meeting, most dealing with aspects of working with the new projects we are setting up.

However, one that is underway is a search for an entirely new Advisory Board to run and set the tone for the project.

With the Lakewood Observer stable for the next few years, and us seeing what other people and cities are doing with NinthEstate Software, the software that powers this project, the Advisory Board has decided it would be interesting and positive to see what others could do steering the paper.

This Advisory Board has been together for nearly five years, we are thinking of rotating boards every two years or so, to keep this project fresh, and truly in the hands of the community it exists in.

Good idea?

So, what would you do?


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[Gary Rice]

And here I was thinking that the people of Lakewood did run the Observer...by their contributions, their thoughts, and their columns...

Silly me...

[Jim O'Bryan]

And here I was thinkiing that the people of Lakewood did run the Observer...by their contributions, their thoughts, and their columns...

Silly me...

Gary

While you are exactly right, it seems that others are not so sure.

While being a member of the Advisory Board is not a taxing job, it does take some time and the current board has been at it for a long time. The current board also has other obligations as the Observer Project expands into other cities, regions, states and even countries.

The hardest part is over, so we thought it would be interesting to see how others deal with; politics, schools, city hall, residents, programs to support and fund, editorial questions that arise, etc.

If it is really the community paper the current Advisory Board thinks it is, than a new board could only be better and more inclusive.

Since the start we have changed editors at least 3 times, and now the Observation Deck is being run by Jim DeVito who replace DL Meckes. It has not missed a beat. so why not the board?

Correct?


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[Suzanne Metelko]

What are you asking for Jim?

New board members? If so, who appoints the board? Is there a job description for a board member? When and how often does the board meet? What does the organizational chart look like?

or

more churn?

[dl meckes]

If it is really the community paper the current Advisory Board thinks it is, than a new board could only be better and more inclusive.

This is at the heart of this discussion. The advisory board made the policies that the Observer is open to contributors who submit work and that real names are a requirement to be part of the Deck discussion. The present group has recruited writers, editors, and photographers.

We wonder if there are people who don't realize just how open this project is to participation. We wonder if there are other ways of opening the project that we haven't explored.

We are defined by who we are and certainly we feel that we are open and inclusive, but is that perception universally shared?

Could the founders make another contribution to the project by recruiting more people to be part of the process who see with new eyes?

I've had the tremendous opportunity of working with the Future Heights folks and witnessing the birth of their Observer project. Their project keeps the same fundamentals that the Lakewood Observer founders set in place - real names for the discussion area and contribution to the paper open to all - but their process has been completely different than ours.

Seeing the project through new eyes has opened mine to the continued growth and possibilities of the LO project. I think changing the way we have thought of an advisory board is an exciting idea.

I have come to believe that if the founders aren't the advisors, then we really have opened the project.

[dl meckes]

I probably should have changed the word "we" to "I" in every instance. I do not speak for the advisory board.

[Jim O'Bryan]

What are you asking for Jim?

New board members? If so, who appoints the board? Is there a job description for a board member? When and how often does the board meet? What does the organizational chart look like?

or

more churn?

More churn!

You never cease to amaze me.

I know this will be hard to believe or maybe understand. We actually thought it was better to let the new Board define their relationship.

The paper is solid, and open, within that framework anything can be built. For some reason some people in this city do not understand the ONLY bias in the paper is that of the writer who puts their name on it.

The fact remains, the project is solid, production is solid, where can others take this project? The topic is as open as it possibly can be.

Please remember, I only know of a handful of stories not printed with permission from the writers. I cannot think of any organization that has approached the paper from within Lakewood and be turned down. I cannot think of a single politician that was not given any inch of the paper they asked for.

That said, there is still much more it could be, and would love to see what a new board comes up with. The search began last year, and we are thinking of a revolving advisory board, that changes in 2 or 3 year terms.

FWIW

[Rhonda loje]

I think the first thing that has to be done is to take another look at he Mission Statement of he Lakewood Observer. I think that is where you start. The current one is very wordy and should very clear. Everyone should understand what you are trying to do and where the paper wants to go in the future.

Rhonda

[Jim O'Bryan]

I think the first thing that has to be done is to take another look at he Mission Statement of he Lakewood Observer. I think that is where you start. The current one is very wordy and should very clear. Everyone should understand what you are trying to do and where the paper wants to go in the future.

Rhonda

Rhonda

I agree. However one must remember the Observer Project is far bigger than this board and the paper. We now offer many services to any and all civic groups, we have launched LakewoodCares which takes all financial burdens off Non-profits to get information out without agenda or bias. We are underwriting and helping many Lakewood programs and will continue to roll new programs out. AND we have the complete redesign of this project, and how it relates to other groups and cities.

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[Jeff Endress]

There are a number of people who have made huge contributions to this project. Many have spent unbelievable (and uncompensated) hours. The founding members of the project have contributed their talents, their expertise and, at least in one instance, their early retirement. As this project grew and developed, we also found ourselves dealing with many things far beyond just the Lakewood Observer....the software development side, the sales/marketing/"franchise" side as well as continuing to serve as the Advisory Board. Frankly, after five years we're all a little worn out.

I think we would all like to step down from these Advisory Board positions, hand it off to a new Advisory Board with new ideas and a fresh perspective. That Advisory Board (and others which will follow) will decide what and where the Lakewood Observer is and does. They will define their role and in doing so, will (re)define the Lakewood Observer. It is my sincerest hope that one of the side benefits of a new Advisory Board will be to end the "Lakewood Observer agenda" issue that arises every now and then. Many of us have curbed our tongues out of concern that somehow our personal reflections will be construed as Lakewood Observer policy.

While I can't speak for the entire Advisory Board, but I have the feeling that we've been running alongside a child on her first two- wheeler and it's time to see if the kid can keep her balance and ride the bike without a securing hand on the seat. It's tough letting go, not knowing whether she'll crash. But, it's time.

Jeff

[Rhonda loje]

Jim,

I think that's why you have to define the Project first so it raises the awareness to everyone what it entails..not only the paper but all the other facets that you just mentioned. Not everyone know all these other projects and they should!

Then you need to set a mission statement for the complete project so it is clear to everyone who you are and what your complete mission will is. It will help everyone to understand and maybe there will be less misunderstanding as the project goes forward.

Then you need to make some long range plans. In those plans will the things that you talked about with specifics.

I also think that with any board you need a board that had terms limits so that your people don't get burned out and they know that their term has a beginning and an end. They are more will to volunteer if they know what is expected of them. This board should also rotate so everyone does not leave at once. That makes the entire project stable.

Rhonda

Rhonda

[Jim O'Bryan]

Rhonda

I think the one thing we all agreed on was term limits.

At the same time, we really wanted to see what others could do with a fresh and secured start. So as we know, what we did and can see what others are doing, maybe, just maybe there are better ideas out there.

As we sat down to define the board, we decided that maybe, we should be as open as possible as open as the project is. Maybe they want to meet weekly, or monthly? Maybe they will want specific talents, maybe just a change for the sake of change.

I can assure you the short list we currently have is so different I think it will amaze many and get rid of the belief we had an agenda once and for all.

Our thoughts, are the next board can do the same when it is time to switch, leave it open, close it up, just make sure the next board is better than the last and moves the entire project forward.

As far as making some things clear, and where we are headed, it is always hard and borders on impossible. Version 5 of the Observer is so different, it will be all new to most of the current members. We have accumulated a ton of likes, dislikes, wishes and fishes. With other cities now taking part we are getting a real handle on what is needed and how to go about it.

The Observer and the software that is powering the core of this project is like mercury, it can take on so many shapes and offer so many benefits hard to list. I have always joked, the Observer is like a Ferrari that has never been out of first gear.

As you know from your involvement. Almost easier for me to ask you what you need, then tell you where it is available through our website.



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[Rhonda loje]

Your right..your plans should be fluid. But they should be stated and then have movement from then on. I think you have to define it first and then have the means in place to changes your plans to make them as fluid as you need them to be. But they alway should be stated and clear.

Rhonda

[Jim O'Bryan]

Your right..your plans should be fluid. But they should be stated and then have movement from then on. I think you have to define it first and then have the means in place to changes your plans to make them as fluid as you need them to be. But they alway should be stated and clear.

Rhonda

I get it but think that is there,

We just need to cut it down.

To us, the very large group that gathered to start this, if we could get information in people's hands, and create a large table of ideas and questions, Lakewood could better understand it's future and past.

From there it takes on the actions of individual members who then jump in with their ideas, which may or may not be an Observer philosophy.

The Observer is merely a tool, for information, for change, for economic development, for learning, for history, for whatever anyone need to make it. Clubs to churches, non-profits to for profits.

I fear the moment we try to change that open thought, we fall into the small minds that think it has agendas. I have agendas, Ken has agendas, Heidi, Dan, Steve agendas, DL, Jeff, Steven and all have agendas, but we rarely agree, we just use the tools we have.

People whom live in the world of agendas and secret meetings, think we are the same, the LO is not. The project is open.

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[dl meckes]

I thought Jeff was staying on as an advisor to the advisors!

Rhonda - the new board needs the freedom to make decisions and shepherd the project forward. The things you mention need to be determined by the new board.

In working with the Heights group, I could train the software and I could reminisce about some of our experiences, but I had to end every answer with a reminder that their experience is going to be unique to them. Their project is their project and wholly different from ours. It has to be.

Our project is like the Pony Express. It has taken off, but one horse isn't going to move it across the country. It needs new horses and new riders to deliver.