"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 22:51:50 GMT, "Maxprop" said:

I disagree that the AMA does this, Dave. The paid managers of
professional
organizations are hired by the membership, and would be fired if they
didn't
absolutely represent the membership's interests to the letter. As for the
AARP, I suspect what you say is true, at least that's been my observation.

And the board of directors of a public company is at least in theory hired
by the shareholders--the owners of the company. Does the board always
represent shareholders' interests to the letter? I don't think so.

That would depend upon the heirarchical structure of the organization. If
the board of directors is analagous to the officers and board members of a
professional organization, then those people would be beholden to represent
the interests of the membership rather than their own personal agendas.
That's what annual elections are all about. In all honesty I can't recall
the officers and the board of the American Optometric Association ever
promoting an agenda that differed from the interests and needs of the
general membership. I suspect the AMA is similar in that respect. With
respect to the AARP, I'd never join because I know the agenda of the
officers and the board are quite at odds with my own beliefs.

But in
practice it's extremely difficult for shareholders to oust a board. Why?
Because it's an expensive undertaking, and with management in control of
the
machinery of communication the board has to really go haywire before any
one
shareholder will be willing to try. Same thing with membership
organizations.

Not the same with professional organizations. The top officers are replaced
annually, or at least they cycle through from sec'y/treasurer to VP to
President, and then out. The board is also completely replaced every few
years. Unlike a corporation where board members wield power and control the
ability to remain in their seats, professional groups replace all their top
people routinely.


You are certainly closer to the AMA than I am,

The AOA, actually, but your point is valid--the organizations are similar in
most respects.

and perhaps its professional
managers are more responsive than those of other organizations. But I
suspect that the control of the machinery of communications is in the
hands
of the managers, and that will inevitably be a major factor.

It is, but those executive directors do the bidding of the membership. They
do, however, guide and direct the membership in the most expeditious paths
for achieving goals, such as legislative actions, etc. They are paid to do
so.

Max