From: Al and Masha Sten-Clanton 
Subject: Re: Reply to Richard Webb: Change isn't Bad
I doubt that we should start all our general sessions at eight in the
morning.  People need a reasonable amount of time to get ready and eat
before the session--and, indeed, to move through the crowds to get into
the session.  Nine A.M. should be good enough.
As I noted in an earlier message, I've not been to a national convention
since 1990.  It seemed to me then that we didn't take enough time for
policy discusions, on the whole.  Judging from some of the other messages
here, I guess that, if it was true then, it sure is now.  I bet there are
other ways to deal with the problem then lengthening all the sessions.
When I was at conventions, a good chunk of time was taken up by pledges to
the tenBroek and White Cane funds.  This was needless:  this information
should be submitted in writing and maybe put in the Monitor.  Another
chunk of time was spent on the audit.  This is important information, and
probably should be given to the members in writing or, again, put in the
Monitor--or maybe there's some other way.  Although I was always glad to
have the mid-week afternoon time that was and presumably still is set
aside for tours and some meetings, I'd willingly give it up if it would
help us accomplish more.  (It may be of course that the committee meetings
in that time do as much for our cause as would a convention session; I
don't know.) 
Those are just some ideas that come to mind.  I hope folks find them
useful.
Al
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