Knestis
12-01-2008, 10:24 PM
Since it 'tis the season for rule change requests, how about a few quick, unofficial suggestions to those of you writing to ask for changes...?
1. Request a specific change, if that's what you want - If possible, reference the actual rule you think should be different, explain how you think it should be, and make a case for why. Think "good of the category," since that's likely going to be the mindset of those reviewing it. It's a little surprising to me how many "proposals" we get that don't really propose anything.
2. Conversely, don't just ask a question - The ad hoc committees can have opinions but they don't mean anything. And the methods we have for communicating back to the membership, through CRB decisions, just isn't conducive to getting "clarifications." The protest and appeals process, as unappetizing as it might sound, is the right venue for that kind of resolution.
3. Limit each request to one change - It's bad policy-making to roll multiple changes into a proposal (unless you are authoring a federal omnibus spending bill). It's too easy to say "no" to an entire letter, if it's REALLY easy to say "no" to one piece of it.
4. Did I mention, "Make your case?" - I don't know about the other ad hoc committees, but the ITAC guys are perty smart, actually. They've pretty much seen all of the too-clever-by-half ideas for changes that suit narrow interests. Search your own real motivations and, if you catch yourself snickering about how devilish your plan is, rethink.
5. Provide any technical information required, or at least leads to it - While the committees might very reasonably fact-check any information provided with requests for rules changes, it's VERY helpful if we get the basics right up front. Items that would otherwise be pretty simple to address can get tabled so someone can search for specs, so you increase the likelihood of a quick turnaround and accurate outcome by providing documented information, if it's available. You might well know more than the committee about the cars or technical aspect that interests you, so take the time to help us understand.
6. Be persistent if you really believe - If you (and hopefully some other members) really think a change is for the greater good, stick with it. Contrary to what some might think, proposals do get a fair review and it might be that the time just wasn't right for your next great idea, or there was some glitchy factor that made it unpalatable. Write specific proposals, share and discuss them using venues like this, and work to make your case. The good ideas will pretty much always, eventually bubble to the top...
K
1. Request a specific change, if that's what you want - If possible, reference the actual rule you think should be different, explain how you think it should be, and make a case for why. Think "good of the category," since that's likely going to be the mindset of those reviewing it. It's a little surprising to me how many "proposals" we get that don't really propose anything.
2. Conversely, don't just ask a question - The ad hoc committees can have opinions but they don't mean anything. And the methods we have for communicating back to the membership, through CRB decisions, just isn't conducive to getting "clarifications." The protest and appeals process, as unappetizing as it might sound, is the right venue for that kind of resolution.
3. Limit each request to one change - It's bad policy-making to roll multiple changes into a proposal (unless you are authoring a federal omnibus spending bill). It's too easy to say "no" to an entire letter, if it's REALLY easy to say "no" to one piece of it.
4. Did I mention, "Make your case?" - I don't know about the other ad hoc committees, but the ITAC guys are perty smart, actually. They've pretty much seen all of the too-clever-by-half ideas for changes that suit narrow interests. Search your own real motivations and, if you catch yourself snickering about how devilish your plan is, rethink.
5. Provide any technical information required, or at least leads to it - While the committees might very reasonably fact-check any information provided with requests for rules changes, it's VERY helpful if we get the basics right up front. Items that would otherwise be pretty simple to address can get tabled so someone can search for specs, so you increase the likelihood of a quick turnaround and accurate outcome by providing documented information, if it's available. You might well know more than the committee about the cars or technical aspect that interests you, so take the time to help us understand.
6. Be persistent if you really believe - If you (and hopefully some other members) really think a change is for the greater good, stick with it. Contrary to what some might think, proposals do get a fair review and it might be that the time just wasn't right for your next great idea, or there was some glitchy factor that made it unpalatable. Write specific proposals, share and discuss them using venues like this, and work to make your case. The good ideas will pretty much always, eventually bubble to the top...
K