[UK-TUG] Discussion of motion DS1

[Jonathan Fine]

Hi

Paul Stanley wrote a really good message yesterday. His conclusion was that
it's time for a decree absolute, and better a clean break and some brief
tears than a long goodbye. In broad terms I agree.

We all know, at least second-hand, that ending relationships can be
difficult and acrimonious even if the sums involved are not oligarchic.
Even in a no-fault divorce division of assets can be divisive (and perhaps
become the fault blame-game by proxy).

Here's a perhaps too simple view of the situation. UK-TUG has at present
two major assets. One is about £8,500 in the bank. The other is intangible.
It's the goodwill and recognition associated with the name UK TeX User
Group. If you like, it's the brand name.

The dissolvers want the funds to go to TUG and DANTE. The continuers I
think want the empty shell of UK TUG together with perhaps £1,000 (although
they may settle for less).

Howard's motion neatly recognises this, and I think provides a good basis
for a clean break with some brief tears. All committee members (except
neutral Joseph Wright) have said that dissolution is "the only way out of
the current impasse".

If the dissolvers were willing to let the continuers have the empty shell
of UK-TUG (and perhaps a few hundred pounds) we'd all be a lot happier.
Life and divorce is not a zero-sum game.

with kind regards

Jonathan
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