Dear Sir,
The recent advertisement in the October 31- November 6 edition, announcing an independent community survey about the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) raises an important question: Who is holding the survey organizers accountable?
The sponsoring group states that it has no official affiliation with LCS and seeks community opinions about its governance, facilities, and future. Yet the advertisement offers no meaningful explanation of who will analyze the results, who will receive them, or how they will be used.
Transparency is apparently the objective when examining LCS. Shouldn’t it also be the standard for those conducting the survey?
LCS has faced significant challenges, and its Board has work to do. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and public efforts that risk undermining an organization without first seeking meaningful dialogue with its leadership.
An independent group is entitled to conduct a survey. But independence does not confer authority to speak for the community, nor does it exempt the organizers from disclosing their own objectives.
Before asking the community to share its opinions, the organizers should be willing to share their intentions.
Transparency must work both ways.
Dee Chapon