The Closed System - how minnesota Legion baseball operates

A Constitution Grants Virtual Ownership To A Few Individuals

There are issues that relate to people. Then there are issues that relate to the system within which board members operate. And there are issues that are both people and systemic. Unless you address it at the system level - at the Minnesota American Legion level - there will be no lasting reform and certainly no substantive change. Sorry to say it.

The Minnesota Legion Was Not Accidental

A few decades ago, a small group of baseball guys were unhappy with the state Legion organization. The baseball facttion wanted to have full control over baseball and run their own checkbook. There had been some issues apparently. Some said the baseball guys bullied a weaker Legion into granting a baseball board full authority over Legion baseball with little oversight. The baseball guys did not want elections, instead preferred appointments for life time positions. Tjere was no democracy from the statrt. They designed what they wanted: a private club of liked minded guys without outside interference.

Under a constitution drawn decades ago, the Minnesota State Legion and a previous baseball board created a Closed System. More Information ; Minnesota

Some Features:

1) No officer no area representative is elected by the fee-paying constituents – the coaches or program director. Taxation but no representation.

2) Each person gets privately appointed by a Legion District Commander which amounts to a rubber stamp.

3) There are no term limits. Appointments run a lifetime. Personal agendas and personal turf are detrimental byproducts. A board member can’t be replaced. If you don’t have any ideas, you don’t need any. If you have a closed mind, no one will challenge you. If you pursue a personal power trip – no one can stop you.

4) Minnesota Legion baseball is an anti-democratic a system.

5) Free speech or alternative views are not welcomed.

6) Meetings are held privately with no public meeting notice. There are no open meetings. Meeting minutes might be available at the discretion of the communications guy if you asked. To us it looks similar to a social club in Little Italy but without the wiretaps.

7) The board can do whatever it wishes as board members are granted complete ownership of all Legion baseball functions in Minnesota. This constitution has not been fully reviewed in 35 years. When individual board members and its officers act like they own the Legion program – they are correct.

8) No other state uses this Minnesota anti-democratic system. No other state is seeking to copy the Minnesota system. Minnesota is a “one off”.

9) The American Legion itself uses a democratic model and promotes American values and principles such as free speech, elected representatives, open meetings, published agendas and minutes, and transparency. The Minnesota American Legion follows the same democratic principles throughout the state organization down through the post structures.

Conclusions:

The Minnesota structure is a classic "Closed System". Bingo! The article nailed it.
Closed systems reward closed minds and backroom bullies.
Many refer to the baseball boatrd as a ‘secret society’.
A few board members may hate the description. But mkost woiuld agree!
But that’s what it is - a private club controlled by just a few of the 14 members -

Closed Minds in a Closed System

FUNDAMENTAL CHOICE: WHICH DIRECTION FOR LEGION BASEBALL

Closed System: Isn't This the Current Legion System?

Open and Closed Systems by David Lee Jones

Published in the Presbyterian Outlook September 9, 2022

Closed Systems Breed Fear, Anger, Repression, Paranoia and Suspicion

Closed systems are generally understood as those that have the following features: dominance, sameness, fusion, herd mentality and group thinking. Such systems discourage equality, change, differentiation, independence, questioning, speaking up, taking a stand, rocking the boat or expressing concern.

They tend to promote immaturity, repression, stuckness, triangulation, gossip, parking lot meetings, factions and secrets. People do not feel safe to question or disagree in such systems for fear of disapproval or retribution. Such systems tend to be reactive and anxious (even if it is hidden beneath the surface) because information is not shared freely and secrets bind anxiety.

Leaders tend to dominate or over-function, which causes others members of the system to acquiesce or under-function. A few at the top are disproportionately responsible for the many. Such systems often have people who function as dictators or peace-mongers at the top, and may have unduly rigid boundaries.

Closed systems breed fear, anger, repression, paranoia and suspicion. They tend to acquiesce to the least mature members or those who hold the most power (who are often the most immature). Closed systems are marked by incessant blaming of others and usually seek a quick fix to conflict rather than managing anxiety maturely. Closed systems are “deadly serious.”

Google Search Quotes

Closed systems breed stagnation. Open protocols, like open minds, allow for the emergence of the unexpected.
Closed minds and closed systems share a core characteristic: a resistance to change, new information, and external influences. Both limit adaptability and increase vulnerability to disruption.
Closed-minded people are more likely to make statements than ask questions. Closed-minded people listen to win not to understand.

Link to Open System & Full Article

A Closed Minded Read : https://fs.blog/open-closed-minded/

Fundamental Choice: Which direction for Legion Baseball

The Open System - Democratic and Open

Open and Closed Systems by David Lee Jones

Published in the Presbyterian Outlook September 9, 2022

Open Systems Value Change, Transparency, Diversity, Differentiation, Questioning, Disagreeing, Discussing, Expressing Concerns, and Giving Voice to All

Appropriately open systems are generally understood as those that value change, transparency, diversity, differentiation, questioning, disagreeing, discussing, pondering, expressing concern and giving voice to all.

In open systems, people feel safe to express concerns, disagree and raise questions. Information is shared openly. Open systems encourage and value appropriately open and flexible boundaries and discourage undue rigidity.
Open systems value, promote and welcome direct communication, “I statements,” responsibility for one’s own functioning in the system and non-reactivity.
In open systems, leaders can take a stand. Leaders and members stay connected to each other by discouraging domination, triangulation, gossip and secrets.
Open systems promote and value playfulness, mystery, paradox, challenge and adventure.