This forum is being dominated by a small group of individuals

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Probably true. And, the discussions are not representative of the Chief's Corps. But, jeez! Give it some time! We've being doing this for less than a year, and membership is growing every month.

If you don't want me (or anyone else) to dominate the conversation, then jump in here and say something! Get your friends to do the same. Out shout me!

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

There are quite a few members here that have never posted to the forum. This site gives you the chance to voice your opinion and to learn from others. If you have a point of view, no one will know what it is unless you speak up.

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

I would venture to say that the ones that are registered here and dont post or sayanything are the same "Silent" members of their local CPO Mess.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

And I will say that every Mess is dominated by the vocal few. I would also say that the most vocal people here are also the most vocal in their local area. Let's remember that you can't have a dominate minority without first having a submissive, or passive, or uncaring majority.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I agree with you Stu to a great degree. Although we may not have issues being expressed here that cause others to express thier opinion. Maybe their opinions have already been expressed by others. Look at the elections. It isn't until there is enough polorizing issues that really drives the people to make a decision and voice their opinion. Maybe we don't have enough controversy brewing here. If gay marriage is legalized, what will that do to don't ask, don't tell? Will that change the military and it's views on sexual perversion? How about benifits? There are some questions that might stir a stinky pot.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

I just want to say that I like this site and wish I had more time to post. There are some of you that post a lot. I dont know how you find the time. I go days without getting on here and not because I dont want to but there's only so many hours in a day. Some of you posters must have your day better organized than I do.

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Darrell

I sit down at night and read up on about 5 different forums. Only takes a few min if you know some tricks. The key is to stay current.
Just click on the "New Posts" link. That way you can easily see the new posts and don’t have to wade through the threads to find what is new. Also, when you are viewing the threads that are Last post Column with the last person to post in that threads name. Next to the name is a little blue box with a >, click on that to view the Last thread and only the last one.

Some of you may know that already but I was talking to a buddy (CPO) of mine who did not know that and it is a big help to know quick ways to navigate forums so you see the new stuff and not all the old stuff.




I agree with Senior Chief. If too many people are quiet then only the minority will run things. That is not the purpose to having meetings. And that goes for more than just Mess Meetings. Do most people truly have no opinions? Or are they just too timid to voice them.

Some times you have to just speak up, you may take some hits from it but you will learn from it if you do.

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

I have to agree about nobody posting but a select few. On a previous thread I read that nobody reads these threads and have been looking to find out how to see when others are on the boards but have not yet found it yet. Help would be nice. I did see the members list and was suprised to see so many 0s beside registered members. I do not feel so bad about my 32 now.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Jimmy, if you're trying to find who else is on line you can open the "Quick Links" off the bar on top and go down to the the "Who's Online" box. Also the dot next to your name will be green for anyone currently on-line. Hope that helps.

[OSC David Nolan]

I don't know if a select few run this board, or the mess in general, however I am noticing that there really doesn’t seem to be the active participation in the mess that I have seen at other units. I will give this example, I am currently involved in the Spring CCTI in Alameda, and when the "look away" ceremony was conducted less than 50 people showed. The COTM commented on this but it made me wonder if anyone cares about, what I perceived, the comradery of the mess. I also question this each month when I attend the local CPOA meeting, it just seems that people don't care, thus choose to be silent. Is this a common trend around the CG, or unique to CG Island? That being said, this is my second post, so I am just beginning to get my voice.

Correction 3 posts.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

David,

Unfortunately, this is the case in most places. There might be exceptions out there, but generally what's happening there is happening everywhere. I've been involved in a couple of messes (both big and small) and it has been the same. The same groups of people do everything and the slugs continue to be slugs. It's too bad.


At our local Chief's Call...maybe half of the Chiefs attend. At our local CPOA meetings...maybe 1/10th of the Chiefs attend...the meeting is dominated by our retired Chiefs.

It doesn't say much for our Chief's Corp.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I think the unity of the Mess is based on its size. Like a cutter, the smaller the crew, the tighter they are, the more they have to rely on one another.
I have attended Look Away Ceremonies at a small Mess where every member of the Mess was in attendance. I have attended others where if thirty percent showed up we were lucky. In the larger Messes, like being part of the crew on the larger cutters, those slugs Deane mentioned have a better chance of going unnoticed and not being held accountable.
This site is being dominated by a small group of individuals because a much larger group is willing to allow others to speak for them.

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

It is not just the Coast Guard. Society is changing as well. Some people are extremely busy. I know that I am. I do try to get on here when I can. I do not always post because I either have nothing to say about the topic and sometimes I think some do not like the changes going on in the Coast Guard and would like to see everything stay the same.

Everyone wants change until change happens

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

Ok everyone sitting down?? I have to say I agree with every post here. I think the Senior Chiefs are doing a great job keeping this going. After be Chief for a few years I finally broke down and went to the CPOA and I’m always putting in a plug for this web sit and I was amazed on how few of our fellow Chiefs knew of this web site. But now 63 more chiefs know and hopefully there will be a few that will log on and not be silent. We will never know your views if you keep them to ourselves, so speak up and be heard.

[MKC Mark Guindon]

GUILTY. I do not see a need to post when others have already "stolen the thunder" I try and get on here at least every other day to keep in touch with current events. But like a good Chiefs Mess remember I am still standing here supporting you. I have also passed this sight to all my fellow chiefs and also to the rest of the crew. :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Mark,
You should post anyway! It's not just about whether you agree or not, or whether it's been said already. It's about letting the CG know that we care about the issues enough to say so. Your absence only indicates apathy. Don't let it be so!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

And to prove Dennis' point I'll repeat it. Remaining quiet doesn't let people know which side of an arguement, if either, you agree with. When more people agree with one side it can add validity. Always make your opinion known.

[ETCS Robert Kelley]

I disagree with the reasoning that the people who post here are the people who are involved in their local CPOA chapter. I have checked into this forum fairly regularly and post every once in a while, but I am not active in my local CPOA chapter. Maybe I am the exception, but someone has to be.

[MKC Tony Balcer]

Mark,
I'm with you. I check this site almost every day. But I usually only post when I feel that I have something to contribute. I just don't see much value in reiteration. Just feels to me like we are beating a dead horse.
MKC Tony Balcer
abalcer@cgctahoma.uscg.mil

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

My "local" CPOA chapter is 200 miles away. I am not active there. I do plenty around here locally though. This is a great forum for me to stay in touch and I post fairly regularly because I am so damn opinionated and think for some reason that it is my duty to share my opinions with anyone that is willing to listen.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Just to bring up a point in as many relavent threads as possible........with over 500 members, we still only have 90+ votes for expanding the membership. Now the critics can say whatever they want, but the silent majority IS allowing this forum to be dominated by a small group. If people aren't even willing to cast an anonymous vote, what is that saying about the willingness of our Chiefs to stand up and be heard ? If you aren't willing to let your vote count for something, how active are you being locally ? How much time can you be giving to your people, if you can't spare two seconds to cast a vote and end an issue with your fellow Chiefs ? We're asking for a simple "yes" or "no" and the vast majority can't even supply that. Why serve in the Armed Forces and provide other people with the right to vote when you not willing to excercise that right yourself ? Why advance yourself to Chief if you don't want your voice to be heard ? Why?

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Yep.

Amen.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

BTW I have asked several of the Chiefs at my present and previous unit if they belong to this Board. Every one of them said no.

There is a Tidewater Area Chief's Call coming up on 5 August, I will bring up this board then.

SKC Raymond G. Kurtz

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. " Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Ray,

I just PCS'd up to LANT/D5 wasn't aware of this, what are the details? E-mail me off line sjcarleton@lantd5.uscg.mil

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

MSTCM Stevenson, here are some of the thoughts from other Chiefs on why this forum is being dominated by a small, very vocal group. You can also check out the fear of reprisals thread.

[AMTCM John Long]

I'm like Tony. I check the site just about everyday, sometimes twice a day. If I have something worthy to pass, I'll offer it up. If I have a question I'll ask it. If I can offer an answer to someone else's question I'll do it if no one else already has. However I'm not inclined to post just for the sake of it.

As far as fear of reprisal.....never gave it much thought.

John

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I can understand those people that don't want to use this board because they dont like this type of thing (i.e. discussion boards, online forums, etc). But, I will never understand those that don't want to use it for any other reason. The positives from this board are unlimited.