- Location
- Westminster, SoCal
As some of you know, we're in danger of loosing JV to the Marine Corps. To some it seems like that move came out of left field, to some it seems to be old news. In efforts to preserve the area for open access multi use (I believe that is the proper term per BLM) Partnership for Johnson Valley got formed. This group led by Harry Baker seems to have gotten the furthest when it comes to talking to the Marine Corps about what to do and how to find something that fits everyone (group's stated goal is to keep JV's status unchanged and help Marines find other options).
Getting to the point, I have attended today a meeting that they held where they shared a powerpoint presentation that they have created for Marine Corps (per their request) that showed the economic and recreational impact of if JV was lost to the public. After the meeting (3 hours) I walked away with a headache, confused, slightly dissapointed but still kind of hopeful. Why? The PfJV has a great goal which is worthy of support BUT as an organization they are not ready for support. Why? Because they seem to have no internal structure, no accountability and no clearly defined decison making process. They are spearheading (or attempting to) the effort for saving JV and while they solicit input from a lot of interest groups, they seem to be hesitant (by design or accident, not sure which yet) to allow the groups they are trying to represent voice within the organization. Multiple times during the meeting today there were quetsions asked that they left unanswered with an excuse "we're working on it". One of those questions referred to the internal organizational structure of PfJV and how various interest groups fit in there as well as what voice they have (FYI: the interest groups vary from recreational offroad trhoguh racing through motorcycles, geological groups, rocket launching organizations, geocachers, petroglyph/indian heritage/history researchers to campers as well as businesses dependent on activities that I just listed). Also, the organization seems to be suffering a bit from a reactionary mode as they were more concerned with reacting to what the Marine Corps did or requested rather then looking at now and future at the same time (future amongst other things is lobbying our political reps for this issue before it gets to the point of being presented in DC for approval). Granted PfJV is a young organization and they are still forming things as they go along but I think for what they're trying to achieve they need to work as hard on the internal structure of the organization as they are on the presenations. Why? Because they need buy in and support from other groups so that there is a concentrated and coordinated effort from all affected communities instead of multiple voices buzzing in the ear of the Marine Corps.
Anyways, what am I getting at with this post? That the organizatino bears watchings. I think that they want to do the best they can and they will need help to do so and I've told them that SoCal Chapter of
is willing to support their efforts (this was discussed by the Chapter BOD last minute as we became aware of the meeting last minute) but I told them that I would like to see more structure. I want to know that they have all their ducks lined up or at least they have plans to. This does not mean that we will wait till the last moment. This only means that we need to see efforts from them in that direction. Not sure how to phrase it better but today seemed a mess. I did not expect a whole lot from them since it's the beginning but I did expect more.
Cal will most likely add his input to this and maybe we can even get PaulS to make one of his rare posts so that different point of views can be presented (they both attended the meeting as well).
Anyways, keep your eyes peeled open for updates on this.
Getting to the point, I have attended today a meeting that they held where they shared a powerpoint presentation that they have created for Marine Corps (per their request) that showed the economic and recreational impact of if JV was lost to the public. After the meeting (3 hours) I walked away with a headache, confused, slightly dissapointed but still kind of hopeful. Why? The PfJV has a great goal which is worthy of support BUT as an organization they are not ready for support. Why? Because they seem to have no internal structure, no accountability and no clearly defined decison making process. They are spearheading (or attempting to) the effort for saving JV and while they solicit input from a lot of interest groups, they seem to be hesitant (by design or accident, not sure which yet) to allow the groups they are trying to represent voice within the organization. Multiple times during the meeting today there were quetsions asked that they left unanswered with an excuse "we're working on it". One of those questions referred to the internal organizational structure of PfJV and how various interest groups fit in there as well as what voice they have (FYI: the interest groups vary from recreational offroad trhoguh racing through motorcycles, geological groups, rocket launching organizations, geocachers, petroglyph/indian heritage/history researchers to campers as well as businesses dependent on activities that I just listed). Also, the organization seems to be suffering a bit from a reactionary mode as they were more concerned with reacting to what the Marine Corps did or requested rather then looking at now and future at the same time (future amongst other things is lobbying our political reps for this issue before it gets to the point of being presented in DC for approval). Granted PfJV is a young organization and they are still forming things as they go along but I think for what they're trying to achieve they need to work as hard on the internal structure of the organization as they are on the presenations. Why? Because they need buy in and support from other groups so that there is a concentrated and coordinated effort from all affected communities instead of multiple voices buzzing in the ear of the Marine Corps.
Anyways, what am I getting at with this post? That the organizatino bears watchings. I think that they want to do the best they can and they will need help to do so and I've told them that SoCal Chapter of
is willing to support their efforts (this was discussed by the Chapter BOD last minute as we became aware of the meeting last minute) but I told them that I would like to see more structure. I want to know that they have all their ducks lined up or at least they have plans to. This does not mean that we will wait till the last moment. This only means that we need to see efforts from them in that direction. Not sure how to phrase it better but today seemed a mess. I did not expect a whole lot from them since it's the beginning but I did expect more.Cal will most likely add his input to this and maybe we can even get PaulS to make one of his rare posts so that different point of views can be presented (they both attended the meeting as well).
Anyways, keep your eyes peeled open for updates on this.
