You're very right. EKN should define it's mandate more clearly to the public it is supposed to represent and address the very real concerns that we, as a community, are facing. These are not only limited to fancy dinner parties with politicians, but to the real work of preserving our community and making sure we bring Estonian-Canadians back into our fold rather than shunning those who "aren't as important as we are".
If it is a miscoception that those in power are arrogant and holier than thou, then there is an image problem that needs to be dealt with - with some genuine action.

We have individuals like - what was it? - oh, yes! "Col Blimp" who does nothing even when it is obvious WHAT ought to be done. On the other hand, of all the candidates, nobody wishes to challenge the incumbent chairman. How many years of Avo can we take?

We have very competent people in EKN and I know they have the potential for doing good things. I hope they will listen to the very concerned voices here in the www, who have spoken and pleaded for some real action.
I know it isn't easy to be in the limelight and held accountable. It really IS a thankless position, but please prove your critics wrong and create some committees to address - not just talk about - ADDRESS our concerns.

Almost 10 years ago, my good friend Tönu Parming passed away. He too felt that the time for “Central Organizations” like EKN had passed… And that was in 1998.

I respect his opinion. But at my own peril, I disagree... respectfully (how can I compete with a PhD and Professor who had degrees from Princeton and Yale, who served two tours of duty in Viet Nam, leaving with the rank of Major in the Green Berets (Special Forces)).

But in this I feel certain and therefore I do dare:

EKN continues to have a role, but has not done so effectively... considering that they have a full time salaried chairman and a respected “political advisor”, who should be spending, say, no less than 2 hours every day seven (yes seven!) days a week lobbying or building contacts or figuring out something constructive. i.e. being politically useful.

Sadly, this is not what’s happening. Not anymore. Laas I respect, but his plate is full with the Konsul thing. Avo is immersed in his shop and at appearing at every photo-opportunity that presents itself. And before anybody says to me “Kus viga näed laita, seal mine ja aita”, I dropped out of EKN for medical reasons. that now seem to be resolved.

I had been approached by more than one individual to run for the EKNi esimehe position. But health issues intervened. In the mean time the surgery was successful, so I will be running again in future EKN elections.

Given continued support, I will challenge the incumbent for his position.

With all due respect, EKN is finished for all but those in the organization who bask in the delusion of some demented "power".

When Van Loan said that the EKN had asked the Government to do nothing in May they lost all credibility in this community.

The time has come -in fact long passed- to let go go of EKN and start fresh . . . perhaps from the ground up. The EKN of giants like Laas Leivat has since been dragged through the mud and left to choke on its own self inflicted redundance.

And while you are a fine, fine man and thinker Toomas: I'm afraid that the task of rehabilitating EKN's position, image and purpose is beyond your, or any other person's ability.

Van Loan's confession was the final nail in this organization's coffin.

Toomas, võtta roosad prillid ninalt ja mõtle asja kainelt läbi.

Wow! Thanks for that! As you can see, I, unlike Toomas Merilo, write under the cover of a pen name, because I don't like being approached in the halls of Eesti Maja or wherever, by people who disagree with me. It's much easier to write comments, where I can change what I write after re-reading it, as oposed to having to give a response on the spot, risking saying something totally innane.
My plate's pretty full, so no EKN position for me in the forseeable future.

You aren't quite as anonymous as you think that you are. I know you "in real life" and that's why I think that you'd make a good contribution to the EKN.

Hmmm
Am I that easily recognizable?

Sometimes he posts under his own name, but far more often he puts in anonymous posts as well.
Just like Maxim, he has his own personal style.

The joys of being part of a small community!

I'm reluctant to believe that Toomas Merilo posts anonymously. It's simply not his personal style. Can you point to a specific post that you believe to be his?

As usual, Maxim hits hard and hits with a trail-blaising truth that is hard to contradict. If the EU compromises on the gas pipeline, there will be reason to doubt the usefulness of continuing a relationship with the European Union. The EKN should take up this issue as one of utmost urgency.

Maxim. You are so obvious from your spelling errors, syntax, logic and you are the only one in the world who thinks you are smart.

When the EKN takes up this matter of utmost urgency, what should it do?
Give us more "trail blaising" truth Maxim! (And make a fool of yourself.)

I usually find these childish posts, well . . . childish.
However, there is a good point here: what on earth would EKN do with this issue if they can't even handle the simplest of local issues right here on their own doorstep!

Which posts are childish? Maxim's, or the others'?

And what are we to do?
We need leadership to guide us!

[i]Is there any possibility that Estonia may not end up with a gas pipeline running through her territory?[i]

The Estonian government rejected Nordstream' application to do a survey of the sea floor a couple of weeks ago. The government is against the pipeline and it doesn't seem likely that it will run through Eesti's territorial water unless something changes dramatically.

The chances of that happening are pretty high. If Putin is bent on pronouncing the pipeline construction is running to schedule, what does he mean by that? Why is it only England and not Merkel's Germany that has left Estonia essentially in the cold regarding bi-lateral agreements with Russia? Why does the EU turn into a toothless tiger everytime it has to confront Russia??

euroopa liidu liikmesriigid-lambad (peale poola !) alluvad venemaale lootusega et tulevikus neil voolaks odav õli ja bensiin
kahjuks nad unustavad ära mis juhtub neile kui nad kunagi midagi moskva soovide vastu teeks
just nagu sai tehtud ukrainaga, kraanid saavad väga kergest kinni keeratud

Kuidas nii, Maxim, et su eestikeel on nii vilets? Juba aastakümneid oled Eestis laaberdanud. Targuta väheke sellest.