By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
Over the years I attended many of the annual Labor Day meetings sponsored by the OGCMA. They usually consisted of reports by each of the departments involved with CMA functions. Usually the reports were enthusiastic and optimistic, and for those involved with the CMA mission, it was a satisfying event, lasting about 90 minutes.
What was unique was the idea that this was a meeting for the public to attend if it so chose. I usually took notes and posted the news for Blogfinger, and I would get to speak to some of the participants. People from the community came out of interest or curiosity, but sometimes they came because they had an “axe to grind.”
At the end of the meeting there was an open mike, and anyone could go to the mike with a question for the CMA President. Sometimes the question would be critical of CMA policies or would try to clarify some point of interest that was causing friction. For some, the open mike was the best part of the Labor Day meeting because it was dramatic, interesting and sometimes startling. Usually the CMA President was quite deft at deflecting criticisms.
Well, it seems that the CMA has decided to abandon that tradition. This year there will be an event held on Sunday 5 pm in the Auditorium Pavilion. The public is not invited since the announcement says “for friends of the organization.” I didn’t get an invitation nor would I want to go, but someone sent their copy to me (below).
There will be a picnic in the Pavilion followed by a hymn sing in the Tabernacle followed by a “praise report meeting that celebrates the blessings we have experienced this season.”
And there will be no open mike (ie no surprises) during the part where questions are usually asked of the CMA. Instead, those who received the email invitation can send in their questions in advance.
So it appears that the CMA is in no mood to be surprised by an open mike, and for those who submit questions, there is no promise that their questions would be answered. In fact, it is unclear if the questioner can be present for the answer or if the questioner can ask his approved question or respond to the answer.
If any of you want to react to this change, feel free to comment below.
I always thought that it was generous of the CMA to let us all (those interested) hear such transparent information. And I thought that those asking embarrassing questions were out of line. I never asked a question.
Most OG citizens won’t care about this change, and those fair minded individuals who hear this news will understand that the CMA is in the midst of redefining itself, and that it is not our business to expect everything from this private organization to be transparent.
On the other hand, surely the CMA understands that some of what they do will generate skepticism because they are in the public arena and what they do may impact all of us who live in the Grove.
On Blogfinger, the religious beliefs of the CMA are not our concern. But their public policies will continue to be discussed here and we do offer an open mike for those who have something wise, tolerant, fair, and useful to say about our friends at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN “Jacob’s Ladder.”
Yeah, we are climbing Jacob’s ladder
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder
We are brothers, and sisters, all
From the album We Shall Overcome–the Seeger Sessions.
Cujo: As I read this, no “outsider” gets to ask a question because only “insiders” get the email containing the magic “submit question” button. Paul
The CMA doesn’t want to answer questions from outsiders (which includes many OG residents). Yes, questions can be submitted in advance, but I bet money they will pick and choose which ones they answer.
The CMA is limited in what they are transparent about. If they want the trust of the residents, they need to have more transparency, not less.
They are our landlords, and also control/profit from our beach. Asking questions at the mike should be re-instituted. The whole ‘Friends of the OGCMA’ is nonsense and noninclusive.
Surfer: I disagree. There are many transactions in our lives where we pay for things and services, and we don’t expect to know how the money is used by the recipient.—PG
Anyone who pays “ground rent” (from $10.50/year to over $1000/year) to the OGCMA , should be entitled to know what the money is used for.
Phillip Orton: Comments on Blogfinger need to follow our rules. Look up to find them at the top of our Home Page. If comments do follow the rules, they get posted without editing. (excluding spelling, punctuation, etc.)
No comment gets edited because Blogfinger disagrees with an opinion. There is rarely a letter to the editor at the NY Times or other major newspapers that is not edited.
Editing does not nullify the availability of a place (“open mic”) to voice an opinion. That is why all media has editors. Editing permits the commenter to be heard and to make his point. Even the greatest writers like Arthur Miller were edited, but he never complained that his truths went unheard.
Here is a link to further clarify comments editing: https://wp.me/pqmj2-DTp
Well said!! A great service to point this out, but also with care and respect for CMA. You may well inspire them to bring back their tradition.
But the last point you made also is worth calling out: “We do offer an open mike for those who have something wise, tolerant, fair and useful to say”.
Last I checked, comments on Blogfinger, while open to make, are always edited, so I would not call it an open mike.