[IGDA_indies] more opinions on the value of the IGDA (esp.for indies)

[Brandon J. Van Every]

Jason Della Rocca wrote:
>
> The IGDA has a very clear mission and mandate to build community and
> advocate on issues relevant to developers.

This was decided 1.5 years after I joined.  This focus you describe is
very recent, and it remains to be seen how well it works in practice.  I
am concerned that the IGDA does not have an effective paradigm for
mobilizing volunteers.  It seems that "The Agenda" is more important
than taking what is offered.  If I were running the show, I would
concentrate on harnessing labor for whatever.  Not arguing against
courses of action.  In my experience with other grassroots
organizations, getting the volunteers pumped up is far more important.

The core difference in our philosophies, Jason, is you view the IGDA
like a business and I view it like a volunteer nonprofit grassroots
organization.  In the latter world view, the constituents are
everything.

> The IGDA is a defined entity, it is not a clean slate
> or sand box that is up for definition.

That's baloney.  The board proposes that a focus is needed, a straw poll
is held, not many votes are cast, and the board says "ok, this is what
we are."  To think that you're going to unfold your organization forever
and anon on that basis, without further input and refinement from your
constituency, is silly.  You didn't get a mandate set in stone, you got
a good plan for now.

As a betting man, I'll wager that 'legal defense' always remains a core
focus, since what's needed is easily fungible.  I bet 'building
community' will permute quite a bit.  We've had arguments about how
anything could become 'building community' if it was pitched the right
way to the right people.

> (Do members of a non-profit cancer patient support society
> complain that
> the organization is not addressing the needs of AIDS
> patients, or should be doing more to feed the homeless?)

I wouldn't speak quickly on such issues in ignorance.  My friend Daniel
died of AIDS, and he had cancers mid to late in his illness.  I also
don't think he was a certain goner.


Cheers,                         www.indiegamedesign.com
Brandon Van Every               Seattle, WA

20% of the world is real.
80% is gobbledygook we make up inside our own heads.