The above proposal was sent in a timely manner to all the factions of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) for a decision to be made:
Introduction
This text of programmatic convergence is proposed by Dynamic TEE to all
the factions, with the objective of jointly
forming the Management bodies of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM). The position
of the factions that believe in collaboration is requested, so that we may explore whether there is a common understanding for the better functioning of our Section. We assess that the ongoing crisis and the challenges we face have matured the thinking of us all, so that collectivity can be put into practice in the most efficient manner for our members and the local community.
Proposed Text of Programmatic Convergence
Colleagues, in the TEE elections of 2019, five factions participated, where the colleagues, democratically and with unassailable and smooth procedures, as befits our Chamber and its
members, elected the Delegation and the Disciplinary Board of our Regional Section, reflecting their will.
In the immediately following period, we must, with the same approach, complete the process of forming our management bodies, both in the Delegation and in the Disciplinary Board, as well as the election of the members of our Prefectural Committees.
In principle, as Dynamic TEE of Western Macedonia, we wish to set out some basic assumptions upon which we believe we must proceed, and which should constitute fundamental components of a fruitful dialogue, to which we had publicly committed before the elections, regardless of the outcome, and which we want to believe represents common ground for all factions:
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We firmly believe that the alignment and collaboration of all the forces of theTEE is a basic prerequisite in order to be able to address both the day-to-day problems of colleagues, particularly the younger ones, and the upgraded – leading role that the TEE must play, especially in the difficult period we are going through, as the most important chamber body of scientists.
- We believe that our active participation in the procedures of all institutional bodies is imperative, through the articulation of scientific discourse, and the submission of substantiated proposals for the development of our region and the productive reconstruction of Western Macedonia, especially following the latest developments.
- We believe that the participation and contribution of as many colleagues as possible in an open TEE will upgrade its essential role as Technical Advisor to the State.
- We believe that, together, by joining forces and synthesising views, we can and must contribute to the achievement of the above, knowing that for everyone there are important roles to play, even beyond the statutorily defined ones.
Colleagues, the formation of the Presidium of both the Steering Committee and the Delegation, as well as the Prefectural Committees of the TEE, must be carried out with a view to the benefit of engineers and our region, and must be founded on the basic principles of adhering to democratic procedures.
We believe that a representative and proportional presidium, in accordance with the strength of the factions, as reflected by the will of the electorate, is a natural consequence and is dictated by the rules of democracy and the unadulterated implementation of simple proportionality in the bodies of the TEE, both in the central administration of our Regional Section and in its Prefectural Committees, with proportional representation of the
factions.
However, for it to be efficient and for us to have a better collaboration aimed at benefiting both engineers and our region, we propose that we co-shape
a plan to improve our operation through an Operational Plan, which we will decide upon at the first meeting of the Delegation following our formation.
The operational plan will also record the process for implementing the plan, with the contribution and activation of all elected Delegates, which will be monitored
and reviewed by the Delegation, following relevant recommendations from the Steering Committee.
Colleagues, in the difficult juncture we are going through as a country, as a region, and as a profession, what is required are convergences, the synthesis of views, a common path, and targeting. A fact which we all emphasised during the period prior to the elections and which we also reflected in our public statements.
The institutional framework of the TEE promotes collaborations between factions. It is considered self-evident that collaboration is also dictated by the role we are called upon to perform as technical
advisor to the state, especially today, when the economic and social situation is particularly difficult and critical.
As Dynamic TEE of Western Macedonia, we propose our suggested convergence within a clear framework of programmatic principles for our operation:
- · that will resist any attempt, wherever it may come from, to degrade the role of chartered engineers both overall and in each individual workplace
- · that will contribute to and support major developmental actions/initiatives capable of stimulating the local economy
- that will propose and substantiate the necessity for additional actions to protect against the violent deindustrialisation occurring in our region, with the closure of all lignite units by the next decade at the latest
- · that will take initiatives to support the role of Western Macedonia as a transition region, by supporting actions for the smooth transition of the area into the post-lignite period
- · that will support young and underemployed colleagues [by creating a registry and providing support for them within the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM)]
- · that will be interventionist and effective regarding the policies for implementing the NSRF and other funding programmes in our region
- · that will collaborate with and support local government of the first and second tiers, with the active participation and protection of our colleagues
- that will propose the integration of new technologies, the stimulation of urban centres, and of the special spatial units of the countryside, highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of our region.
- · that will call, at regular intervals, pan-technical gatherings across the entire Region to document both professional issues and problems, as well as to submit views on developmental matters concerning our region
Colleagues, the problems facing our profession and our region are common. The vision for addressing them must also be common. We must formulate it correctly and scientifically, as the competent technocrats, so that it may have better prospects. Let us co-shape it all together and, with the instigation and contribution of the ‘whole’ TEE, let us fight for it!
For the Plenary of Dynamic TEE
The Head of the Faction
Dimitris Mavromatidis
A Draft Operational Plan of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) follows
Draft Operational Plan Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM)
1. Existing institutional framework – Competences Strategic objective
3.5 Collaborations with institutional bodies
3.6 Representations / procedure for informing the Institutional Bodies of the TEE / assisting representatives
4.1.4 financing tools as well, with the activation of Working Groups
3.5 Collaborations with institutional bodies
4.1.4 financing tools as well, with the activation of Working Groups
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Only DKM replied to the above proposal, as follows, agreeing in principle, while the faction of Mr Sylliris stated that it disagreed on certain points and would send observations, which were never sent.:
“Subject: Letter of Reply
The Democratic Movement of Engineers (DKM), considering that, during the recent period, the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM) did not operate by the rules of concord and unanimity among engineers, nor was every faction substantially represented in its bodies, believes that the latest elections should constitute the springboard for renewal and collaboration, also taking into account their
result.
The problems of the profession as well as of the region of Western Macedonia are common and require serious handling and the finding of solutions, with the concord, harmony, and collaboration of all engineers.
The optimal mode of operation of the TEE is promoted through healthy and unselfish collaborations. Within this context, the text of programmatic convergence of Dynamic TEE finds our faction in agreement, in principle.
Given all of the above, DKM is open to dialogue and to any proposal for collaboration that promotes all the aforementioned points.
For the Democratic Movement of Engineers Western Macedonia Section
The head Stergios Men. Kianas”
Following this, meetings were held with the second-placed DKM faction, assuming that our proposal for “…a representative and proportional presidium, in accordance with the strength of the factions, as reflected by the will of the electorate, is a natural consequence and is dictated by the rules of democracy and the unadulterated implementation of simple proportionality in the bodies of the TEE…” was interpreted as proportional to the position of the President of the Steering Committee or part of the President of the Steering Committee, and that on everything else they were in agreement. We discussed on this basis as well with DKM, with proposals on our part which were not accepted by their plenary, according to what was ultimately stated to us less than 24 hours before the scheduled formation.
The same procedure was also followed with the third-placed New Proposal of Engineers faction, which itself also requested only a part of the Presidency of the Steering Committee of the Technical Chamber of Greece – Western Macedonia Section (TEE/TDM), and this proposal was also discussed with a positive disposition on our part.
Ultimately, the second and third factions decided to leave out of all positions of responsibility our own faction, with its 46.12%, which was fortunately elected by the base of engineers.
For reasons of institutional responsibility, no further details need to be given.