rlw@wxlvax.UUCP (02/24/84)
(Apologies to those who do not belong to ACM) ACM has a balloting in process concerning changing the means by which the ACM constitution may be amended. I hereby request that all ACM members who read this note return the ballot so that the Officers and Council may learn explicitly the wishes of the membership. The object is to make it possible (but not easy) to amend the constitution. At present, it requires an immense number of responses to an amendment ballot. The large majority of proposals of late have failed not through negative votes, but through inadequate responses. The argument has been made that perhaps many members explicitly chose to vote "no" by not re- turning the ballot. When I was Chairman of the ACM Constitution and By- laws Committee several years ago, I did two (STATISTICALLY CONTROLLED) polls that indicated this was not the case. Inertia more than disapproval was the cause of lack or returns. Obviously I favor the present amendment and recommend a vote in favor of the change. Either way, I would like to decision to be made by those members who really care about ACM. Don't let inaction decide an issue of major importance to the society. --Dick Wexelblat (...decvax!ittvax!wxlvax!rlw) P.S. I suggest that any further conversation be in net.followup or .flame