Originally Posted by NuGuy

Sink,

All of your observations are valid.

It is the individual MEC members that give direction to the negotiating committee during the "direction phase".

The key to the process is to have individual reps that are willing to step up, speak up and give direction in such a way that you get the other guys in the room to go along.

Some guys are happy with the ideas the NC suggests. Others are more "interactive", and press for goals that are important to their constituents, but may not be to other Councils. Some guys are good at building consensus, others try to force things through by force of will (or numbers).

You, as a member of an LEC, get to decide what kind of rep you send to speak for you. LEC elections get a remarkably low turn out, but it is the people that you send that ultimately make these decisions. I can't emphasize that enough.

You need to ask the right questions of anyone running for office, and make sure you're satisfied with the answers they give.

Nu