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To the editor:

It is apparent that the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees has no interest in informing members of their right to view its bylaws, and posting or distributing them (even if not legally required), or viewing other documents pursuant to the bylaws, not for profit statutes and IRS filings.

In this light, it is disingenuous for NYCOPSR to bury on their website "what matters is that they [bylaws] are available when legitimately requested."

The elephant in the room is, why not? Reflexive defensiveness and censorship over suggestions hinders democratic change.

The Council of Municipal Retiree Organizations emailed its bylaws to all members, including myself and Marianne Pizzitola. The internet didn’t explode. The world didn’t end.

NYCOPSR’s 2023 Certificate of Incorporation listed six original directors. There are now four, all new except Marianne.

NYCOPSR’s bylaws listed nine original administrative members. There are now four, one being new.

Power has been consolidated.

New administrative members (who have voting rights) are selected from general members.

There could have been a solicitation of interest from general members to fill the vacancy, but it was unfortunately a closed process.

The NYCOPSR membership structure is illogical. Just $25 a year guarantees being a general member, as long as the sum is designated as dues for joining.

But those who give more money, designated exclusively as a donation, are rewarded with being a less privileged donor-qualified member.

Perhaps the bylaws should be changed so that anyone giving at least $25 a year is a general member. Period.

Furthermore, general members who are city public service employees or their dependents, who are eligible to receive retirement benefits, should be voting members

And these general members should be allowed to vote in the election of all officers and administrative members.

This would make NYCOPSR democratic.

Harry Weiner