Should Theatre Australia Members Only be allowed to post

Tony, I realise your comments were generalistic but I just felt I should point out a few home truths because I'm sick of seeing the word "Clique" or "Click" or words to that effect appear on this site unchallenged. This is certainly not aimed at you but I'm posting this because my concern is that a certain troll has curdled people's thinking and I feel it important to establish some facts. Three years ago I was just a member of a small regional community theatre in W.A. Within a few months of returning from the "bush" I decided to get back into theatre here in Perth. Prior to going "bush" I had only ever performed at one theatre - Stirling Players. The people I had performed with 5 years earlier had gone onto other things in life and I really didn't know anyone in theatre in Perth. I went to auditions at Garrick - I got a role and I met some people who in turn introduced me to other people. I then auditioned for a role at Playlovers - I got a role and I met some people who introduced me to other people. I never felt at any time that there was a "clique". I'm not even good at meeting people but these theatre communities embraced new members with honest enthusiasm. I felt right at home. I was then asked to become treasurer for the ITA because I have a finance background and because no other bugger wanted the job. I met more people (it's amazing how many people you meet if you put yourself out there). From my observations there are certainly theatre groups that have the same old faces running them. It is also my observation this is often because they are left to run things. Many people are very happy to just turn up and perform. I am also aware that there are currently some groups that are undergoing "a change of management". This is good - the infusion of new blood and ideas will help these groups grow. I'm sure that if I had put my hand up this year to be on the committee of Garrick or Playlovers, my interest would have been taken seriously. There's no trick to getting involved and no barriers from what I can discern - just put your bloody hand up and you'll likely find yourself elected. The ITA seems to have been subject to a fair amount of invective these last few months. Let's look at some of their committee; Tracey Royall - like myself recently returned to Perth, wants to get involved - didn't know a whole lot of people in Perth theatre before she started auditioning and getting back into things Felicity May -like myself recently returned to Perth (there's a trend happening her) and simply wants to get involved. Last seen doing backstage at Old Mill and someone asked if she'd like to join the ITA committee. Tyler Jones - appeared in Eurobeat last year. Young fella who seems very enthusiastic, not to my knowledge someone who was elected due to any "Clique" mentality - just someone who has energy and represents the next generation of community theatre. Of last year's committee only 3 remain on board. If there was a "Clique/Click" in operation, last year's committee would be hanging on to power like there's no tomorrow. Democracy reigns. It seriously beats the heel out of me as to why some people may feel there is a closed mind mentality here in WA, that there are power-mad fiends running things at every theatre. It's simply bulls**t. Seriously. It also amuses me that no one who has raised the matter (certainly not the troll but more disturbingly those that seem to sympathise with some of what he's said and who seem to have a genuine interest in theatre)has provided ANY examples of this type of behaviour. The reason is simple - it doesn't exist. One other thing I think I should mention. There was also a suggestion that members were leaving the ITA in droves. In 2007 there were 31 member clubs. In 2008 there are currently 34 member clubs. The number of individual members has also grown. I would put it to you once again that the suggestion members were disgruntled or dissatisfied with the ITA is bulls**t. I can say as an example that the member clubs were very grateful to the ITA for the time and effort they put into investigating the new liquor laws introduced last year and how these affected the clubs themselves. Just an example. Tony, I respectfully disagree with your opinion that you have to be "known" to be elected to any station in theatre. Sometimes you simply have to be enthusiastic and passionate and thats all it takes. Undoubtedly it helps to be known but then again - its usually those who are seeking to contribute that get "known". From a personal point of view I am constantly surprised by how many of these anonymous people seem to know details about me and my personal life outside of theatre. I never sought that attention and frankly am uncomfortable to think my life outside of theatre is under the microscope. Anyway, with regards to Alan's suggestion - I would like to think this may cut down on the trolls but having seen their tenacity when it comes to their attacks, I'm not convinced it will work. I'm going to try and make a concerted effort to not personally feed the trolls. Scout's honour. I think Na is right - ignore them, moderate their comments down, and kill them with our indifference. I don't buy into the thought that we risk moderating down genuine arguments or critique - it's usually pretty bloody plain who the trolls are. I'm all for free speech and opinion but I'd personally be happy to see moderation down or even deletion of every post from those such as "The Ripper" or "Sting" going forward. I've bitten my tongue the last few days despite a very personal barb aimed at me by Sting. Let's just moderate them out of existence and leave it at that. My two cents worth anyway