[UK-TUG] Help needed from UKTUG members

[Jay Hammond]

Dear UKTUG member,


UKTUG is still in deep trouble, a month after the AGM. Some of the 
committee have been working hard. Others have not, sometimes for medical 
reasons. I’m not the only one in that category.


It’s my view that UKTUG is in a kind of trouble that the committee 
cannot solve for you. So I’m appealing to you the members to understand 
the problem, decide what you will contribute to the solution(s) and 
contact me at

chair at uktug.org.uk

I suggest as subject “Motion 4 Plan”, or “Motion 5 Dissolution” 
according to your offer


I should be explicit, for members to work together, they will need to 
share contact details. That is at least a name and email, more if you 
choose.

Obviously you need some explanation and motivation.


What state is UKTUG in?

A benefit UKTUG brings to members, is to supply DVD’s to members. DVD’s 
are declining in popularity. It is predictable that DVD’s will be 
uneconomic to produce in the next 5 years.

UKTUG is no longer a forum by which TeX users exchange information, tips 
and TeXniques. It used to be a focus for that a decade ago. Today, TeX 
users will turn to StackExchange and perhaps other fora.

For many years TeXFAQ was run from the UK, from UKTUG even for much of 
that. UKTUG used to support the UK CTAN node. That node was absorbed 
into the German CTAN node some years ago.

UKTUG does hold speaker meetings. Typically annually, in a single venue, 
and even so, the speakers outnumber the listeners. The speaker list is 
quite predictable, and UKTUG is a cumbersome way to organise speaker 
meetings.

Those two activities could be supported by a much lighter structure. The 
inactivities need no structure at all.

UKTUG has about £13000 cash assets that it is not spending. I understand 
that there could be a concrete spending proposal. I hope it forms part 
of the motion 4 plan, or is acted on quickly.

UKTUG no longer fulfils its general aim of supporting TeX. It could be a 
member’s club, but it should not pretend to represent TeX in the UK. I 
urge that UKTUG set up a members’ club, source DVD’s for those members 
who really want them, dispose of its physical assets, its data, give its 
remaining monetary assets to Dante who support TeXFaq & CTAN (former 
UKTUG activities) then dissolve.

Active motions of UKTUG: What progress at and since the AGM?


The AGM passed a motion on fees, (motion 1) and a motion 7 that was 
contingent on motion 6, which failed. So they are dealt with.

Motions 3,4,5 also passed.

3 asks the committee to demonstrate it can operate constitutionally

4 asks the committee to say how UKTUG will benefit the TeX community, 
the raison d’etre of UKTUG.

5 requires the committee to call an SGM to dissolve UKTUG if positive 
responses are not provided to 3, and 4.


What has happened since the AGM a month ago?


After the AGM, I am convinced that the committee will be able to meet 
motion 3. As I understand it, we have Chair Jay Hammond by election. 
Secretary, Joseph Wright and Treasurer Jonathan Webley appointed at 
first committee meeting. That fulfils the constitution. We also have a 
number of ordinary committee members.


We’ve decided to take technical measures to sort out difficulties we are 
having with email and web addresses, and to revamp the website. I 
endorse the Secretary’s desire to get that sorted out.


I know from the AGM, that there are members who would like UKTUG not to 
shut down at all. For you, please volunteer for a subcommittee to 
positively fulfil motion 4. Because the 2018/19 committee was unable to 
agree to formulate the rescue plan for about 8 months, I’m pretty sure 
that the new committee on its own, will not be creating an effective one 
in two months. I did ask them to react to that idea. There was no 
committee discussion. Just a few private emails. You, the members might 
do better.

I think there is going to be an SGM to discuss dissolution of UKTUG on 
February 16^th (or thereabouts). It will probably also be judging the 
viability of a forward plan, if such a plan exists. I’m sure that the 
plan will need nearly two months to create. The Committee is obliged to 
give notice of the SGM, and its motions. So the SGM will have to be set 
in train without the plan, and will have to be able to respond to a plan 
that is submitted after the SGM is announced. A suitable motion will 
have to be formulated.


I’d like any dissolution to be orderly, protect the current interests of 
members and specify what to do with the assets of UKTUG in a 
constitutional manner. That will require some planning, and input from 
you the members. And certain motions to be acted upon immediately before 
UKTUG shuts down. For brevity, I won’t spell out the details here. If 
this is your chosen option, please volunteer for the dissolution motions 
sub-committee. Your help is essential.


I intend to offer both subcommittees such help as I can manage. But I 
lack the vision and energy to contribute the solution(s) on my own.

You the members can possibly rescue UKTUG. I think it would be better 
for UKTUG to reform into a casual club, and be honest about what it can 
achieve.

Even with your input, I’m not sure that UKTUG can resume its former 
activities, let alone contribute to TeX in the UK. However, it certainly 
won’t if, in the next two months there is no plan to benefit TeX. Your 
help is essential, whatever the outcome.

Jay Hammond

Please contact

chair at uktug.org.uk


-- 
Email use jay at jjnr.uk

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