Cindy,
Nothing you have written here is either innapropriate, or untimely. Many issues you have raised are in fact, things we face, but I ask that you consider them from a somewhat broader point of view. I’ll check in here, but please do note, that my opinions are my own - I’m not stating a Board position here, or speaking on their behalf. I’m in a good mood however, so bear with me.
I’ll share with you an analogy I gave a former Board member, the irredoubtable Mr. Bowling. DMS is a lot like a person who has developed too much fondness for milkshakes. The more he drinks, the tighter his clothes get, until eventually his belly button is sticking out, and he has to wipe his butt with a stick with toilet paper taped to the end of it.
We have grown very very fast, and this growth keeps outpacing the best efforts of our volunteers to deal with it. Consequently, we have more than a few kludges in place to deal with various things. We’re not quite to the stick&paper stage yet, so we can all take a deep breath. But people stepping up to help, sure makes the likelihood of the stick less.
There are things we do so very well with volunteers. And things (usually the dull repetitive ones), that are just too much to expect from volunteers. Volunteers also tend to have built-in expiration dates - peoples lives change, circumstances change, finances change, interest wanes, etc etc. Continuity is a big problem for us.
Makers, in general, tend to be pretty smart folks, with strong opinions. Many are introverts, and sometimes have trouble expressing themselves socially in constructive ways. And many introverted folks, just struggle dealing with the ways of others. Consequently, we occasionally get beset with upset caused by talkwash, personal grievances, differences of opinion, and lack of respect for others. Meetings can be awful, but lately have been a lot more productive…
But if you focus on these things, you’re going to miss the woods and see only the trees, There’s something pretty damn awesome happening here. We’ve taught a bunch of people how to make things, how to use tools, and then watched them put that knowledge to work. We’ve seen gifted artists creating really wonderful things, household repairs, the pursuit of perfection in craft, and the creation of crufty craptastic wonderment, and everything in between. Our members share a profound human need in common, that defies our sometimes all too human shortcomings.
You know what? How many articles have you read about the human need to screw? But know this - all humans spend more time making, than making out. So which is the more important human trait? One is fun as hell. The other makes our life better, and the lives of those around us too.
So, yeah. DMS is tapped in to something important here. I personally feel its worth working for and spreading. But we’re Makers, and we’re in the middle of making. Yeah, its a little messy at times, and sometimes it smells like Kee’s poo glue. But the end product is always worth it, and will be worth it this time too. Give us a little faith baby, we’ll get you there. But its easier to see where we’re going, if you ignore the mess we make while we’re making.
I can tell you this - the current Board is well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of our enterprise. But any Board, must prioritize and focus, to really accomplish anything. And that is what this Board is doing, despite the distractions and occasional silly stuff along the way.
Of course. But its more a question of quality, than quantity. We frequently have to listen to a lot of “all hat no cows” opinions along the way, and that can get frustrating. But with 1600 members, we have a deep well, and so we do also hear thoughts from members with experience and well considered points of view to share as well. It would be a mistake, to think Talk was an important resource however. Opinions here are nearly always tinged with a bit too much assertion, but now and then a thoughtful post does cross the boards.
And it would also be well to remember, that Board’s need times of discussion, reflection, and yes, negotiation. Some folks think consensus is something that just happens, like a light bulb appearing above your head. But consensus just means “reached agreement”, and sometimes that can take a while to sort out. And believe me when I tell you, the best Boards have divergent points of view. The last thing you want is marching in unison, up there behind the tables.
So, perhaps not the answer you were hoping for, but I confess it was the answer I was inspired to give 
