Right. But the executives that run the AMA and my organization, the AOA,
are not physicians or optometrists--they are pros that run professional
organizations.


Well, duh. My secretary isn't an engineer, either.


Maxprop wrote:
We're not talking about your secretary, Doug. These are the people that run
the organizations, both financially and functionally.

You mean putting little circles & arrows on the calendar,
sweeping the office, balancing the checkbook, calling the
roofing guy.


... They do the
legislative liason footwork, make the legislative contacts,

Sure

plan the agendas

Not if the organizations are headed by members of the group
they represent. Doctors as officers of the AMA for example.
*They* set the agenda, not the office employees.

Ever heard of policy-making as opposed to manning the desk?



and execute the decisions made by the organization
officers.

Sure.

... The organization officers consult them for guidance, not vice
versa.

That's exactly backwards from the way it should be, and is
backwards from every such organization *I* have experience with.

For example, if your sailing club has a hired manager, does
he decide who gets the big perpetual trophies?



They are not coffee making, skirt-swishing typists.


My secretary isn't either. But he doesn't make engineering
decisions.

One could say that your company is run by & for the office
manager; after all he makes a lot of decisions right? But if
he is setting basic policy then you are abdicating from your
role. Some presidents & boards do, most don't (IMHO of
course). Something about self-interest...

DSK