My Turn to Start a Thread on FCAS Giveaway

[Wigmeister General]

Hypothetically speaking, let's suppose the CAS implements proposed changes (e.g., no new ACAS granted after 2008, FCAS granted in 2014 to all existing ACAS, or any similar permutation).

Besides cheering or whining, how will you respond?

I believe all this discussion is moot, but I've been admiring the whining. Here's why it's moot.

Either the change requires a vote from the membership or it doesn't. If it does, the membership will kill the idea every time it comes up. If it doesn't require a vote from the membership, then the Board can take unilateral action.

Last time I looked, people serve on any Board for a fixed, relatively brief (i.e., only a couple of years) time. Therefore, when the Board is dismantled, the new regime will install a new Board. This new Board will undo the old Board's work unilaterally. (If the Board can eliminate the ACAS unilaterally, it can undo the decision to eliminate the ACAS unilaterally.)

Consequently, all the whining is getting old. Relax. Take your shoes off. Sit down. Drink some iced tea.

[Happy Skunk]

What about the proposal to move to 8 exams? Where does that fit in?

Also can you explain this Oh wise one. is your indifference due to the fact that you believe the CAS is doomed either way?

If this great FCAS giveaway occurs, it will be the end of the CAS.

And if it doesn't occur...?

I doubt the CAS will last beyond 2015.

[DW Simpson]

Consequently, all the whining is getting old.

You have to admit that the same troll using 1/2 dozen handles to stir the pot is entertaining for a couple of minutes, until I have to go back to avoiding the CAS exam threads.

This guy has used the same M.O. for the last three years and it always works, that's what blows my mind.

[Happy Skunk]

Whatchoo talking about Willis?

[DW Simpson]

Skim the threads while humming to yourself, "Five of these things look just like the other."

For the love of Pete, page down through this last page of CAS exam threads. Minimum of 5 of those ID's are the same dude in my estimate. I'm on the fence about the sixth. And yet people respond like Bossa Nova boy just arrived.

[Howard Mahler]

You are correct. This may very well happen.

However, let us not overlook the immense harm such a back and forth manuever would do to many candidates and the reputation of the CAS.

In fact this could be the main selling point of those trying to maintain any actions of the current board under your scenario. "It has already been announced. We can't go backwards. Let's move forwards and make the best of things...."

That is why I think it is very, very important that any such proposed major changes be put to a vote of the membership.

Howard Mahler

I suggest you start a discussion on CASNET.


Hypothetically speaking, let's suppose the CAS implements proposed changes (e.g., no new ACAS granted after 2008, FCAS granted in 2014 to all existing ACAS, or any similar permutation).

Besides cheering or whining, how will you respond?

I believe all this discussion is moot, but I've been admiring the whining. Here's why it's moot.

Either the change requires a vote from the membership or it doesn't. If it does, the membership will kill the idea every time it comes up. If it doesn't require a vote from the membership, then the Board can take unilateral action.

Last time I looked, people serve on any Board for a fixed, relatively brief (i.e., only a couple of years) time. Therefore, when the Board is dismantled, the new regime will install a new Board. This new Board will undo the old Board's work unilaterally. (If the Board can eliminate the ACAS unilaterally, it can undo the decision to eliminate the ACAS unilaterally.)

Consequently, all the whining is getting old. Relax. Take your shoes off. Sit down. Drink some iced tea.

[Wigmeister General]

What about the proposal to move to 8 exams? Where does that fit in?

Also can you explain this Oh wise one. is your indifference due to the fact that you believe the CAS is doomed either way?

If this great FCAS giveaway occurs, it will be the end of the CAS.

And if it doesn't occur...?

I doubt the CAS will last beyond 2015.

If a move from 9 to 8 exams proves too easy for candidates, then future committees will either lower pass rates or add to the syllabus.

Remember, don't believe everything you read on the internet.

[DW Simpson]

I suggest you start a discussion on CASNET.

Done.

[grt]

Skim the threads while humming to yourself, "Five of these things look just like the other."

For the love of Pete, page down through this last page of CAS exam threads. Minimum of 5 of those ID's are the same dude in my estimate. I'm on the fence about the sixth. And yet people respond like Bossa Nova boy just arrived.

So are you accusing Howard Mahler of using more than one ID? :wink:

Actually, I think at one time or another you've accused about 3/4 of the people on this board of being Black Flag. We better hope that guy never gets hit by a bus IRL or this board will shut down. :)

[grt]

I suggest you start a discussion on CASNET.

Done.

BTW, your casnet post came thru as a jumbled mess of symbols.

I'm surprised this hasn't been discussed on casnet yet.

[Avi]

Somehow, I think that the board would go on :)

[Avi]

I suggest you start a discussion on CASNET.

Done.

No link? :o

[grt]

I suggest you start a discussion on CASNET.

Done.

No link? :o

My link didn't work (prolly since it's an email group):

Here's the message:

Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 13:16:31 -0500

Author: "Claude Penland" <penland@dwsimpson.com>

Subject: Final Report of the Task Force on Classes of Membership

Body: U2luY2UgdGhlIEZpbmFsIFJlcG9ydCBvZiB0aGUgVGFzayBGb3 JjZSBvbiBDbGFzc2VzIG9mIE1l
bWJlcnNoaXAgd2FzIHJlbGVhc2VkIGF0IGh0dHA6Ly93d3cuY2 FzYWN0Lm9yZy9tZW1iZXJzL3Jl
cG9ydHMvVEZDbGFzc2VzT2ZNZW1iZXJzaGlwLnBkZiAsIEkndm UgYmVlbiBzdXJwcmlzZWQgdGhh
dCBhIENBU05FVCBkaXNjdXNzaW9uIGhhc24ndCBlbnN1ZWQuDQ ogDQpXaGF0IGFyZSB0aGUgb3Bp
bmlvbnMgb2YgQ0FTIG1lbWJlcnM/DQogDQpDbGF1ZGUgUGVubGFuZCwgQUNBUywgTUFBQQ0KV2Vi
bWFzdGVyDQpELlcuIFNpbXBzb24gJiBDb21wYW55LCBJbmMuDQ o=

[Avi]

Why not follow up on this?

http://www.casact.org/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000156

[DW Simpson]

I don't know why the CASNET list interpreted it as garbage symbols. I received a few emails back to me that indicated that they could read it, so maybe the email works but the Lyris software interprets it differently.

Wrote it straight in my email account, didn't cut and paste it from Word or anything. Anywho, I ain't sending it again.

This is what I wrote:

From: Claude Penland [mailto:claude.penland@dwsimpson.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 2:17 PM
To: CASNET
Subject: [casnet] Final Report of the Task Force on Classes of Membership


Since the Final Report of the Task Force on Classes of Membership was released at http://www.casact.org/members/reports/TFClassesOfMembership.pdf , I've been surprised that a CASNET discussion hasn't ensued.

What are the opinions of CAS members?

Claude Penland, ACAS, MAAA
Webmaster
D.W. Simpson & Company, Inc.

[DW Simpson]

Why not follow up on this?

http://www.casact.org/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000156

Because most of the public discussions of this topic have been anonymous.

Let's spray some sunshine on this baby and see who has the courage of their convictions.

[Salzmann]

LVB, you're wrong about the Board. There are 12 members. Each serves for 3 years. Every year 4 rotate off (having served their terms) and 4 newly-elected Board members are added. No one can come in, throw out the Board and bring in a new one.

This is especially true since Board members are elected by the Fellows and the ACAS issue was one of the areas on which candidates responded to questions.

[Ginda Fisher]

I don't know why the CASNET list interpreted it as garbage symbols. I received a few emails back to me that indicated that they could read it, so maybe the email works but the Lyris software interprets it differently.

Wrote it straight in my email account, didn't cut and paste it from Word or anything. Anywho, I ain't sending it again.

This is what I wrote:

From: Claude Penland [mailto:claude.penland@dwsimpson.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 2:17 PM
To: CASNET
Subject: [casnet] Final Report of the Task Force on Classes of Membership


Since the Final Report of the Task Force on Classes of Membership was released at http://www.casact.org/members/reports/TFClassesOfMembership.pdf , I've been surprised that a CASNET discussion hasn't ensued.

What are the opinions of CAS members?

Claude Penland, ACAS, MAAA
Webmaster
D.W. Simpson & Company, Inc.

Came through fine on both my computers, in Outlook running on Windows, and in Mail running on a Mac.

[Wigmeister General]

LVB, you're wrong about the Board. There are 12 members. Each serves for 3 years. Every year 4 rotate off (having served their terms) and 4 newly-elected Board members are added. No one can come in, throw out the Board and bring in a new one.

This is especially true since Board members are elected by the Fellows and the ACAS issue was one of the areas on which candidates responded to questions.

:oops:

[joeorez]

If there is no practical distinction between Associates and Fellows, then why did the board approve "That voting Associates be allowed to hold all officer positions WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT-ELECT, ... " (Actuarial review, August 2004, page 14).

So all members are equal except. Or, not on my street ...

[Utanapishtim]

If there is no practical distinction between Associates and Fellows...
That's a pretty big if. Has anyone come out and supported that point of view, yet?