[Ansteorra] Closed Meetings

[Manners, Tabitha]

After having finally finished reading through all of the posts made
today and this weekend, I feel like I should post my own statement.
Those who have attended Red Tape know that these closed meetings are not
new.  From what I have seen the purpose of these meetings is to allow
GOofS to sit down face to face and briefly go over the important topics
at hand, get everyone on the same page concerning what issues are at
hand and in need of presentation/discussion at the GOofS meeting in the
middle of the day.  From my own experience hosting meetings and
coordinating diverse groups of people the amount of time they spend
meeting in the morning is not that long.  The 'minutes' of the meeting
are essentially presented at the meeting later in the day.  I do not see
a problem with this.  I like being involved and knowing what is going on
in my kingdom.  I am also quite sure that if they wanted to the GOoFS
could hold such a meeting and organize without telling us we will be
sequestered in 'x' room at 'x' time for a meeting and no one would say a
thing.  We wouldn't know.  However, they are kind enough to let us know
that at an event designed for meetings and talking among officers they
will be unavailable during that time due to a necessary meeting.  I
appreciate that.

With all sincerity,

Lady Liliana Byrnes

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: ansteorra-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org [mailto:ansteorra-
>>bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Richard Yeager
>>Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 9:29 PM
>>To: Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc.
>>Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Closed Meetings
>>
>>I will admit that I have lost track of some of this thread as it has
>>evolved.
>>I cannot and will not speak for others who have posted.  I will add my
>>final "two cents worth" and leave it at that.  I did not question the
>>use of "closed meetings" because of the recent events in the west.
Not
>>to discount what the impacted individuals are going through but I have
>>no investment in that situation.  I did not question the basic
>>integrity of the crown or officers.  They are human and thus can be
>>fallible.  I absolutely do not give a rat's knackers about any
>>individual's misfortunes, misconduct, or mistakes being discussed at
>>these meetings as has been suggested.  I could not care less about the
>>lurid details.  I  have a life, a real one.  I am not interested in
>>gossip about people I neither know nor to be honest, particularly care
>>to know.
>>
>>
>>Open meetings provide checks and balances as well as help the people
>>making .the decisions maintain focus. Our system for picking leaders
>>and high level officers is fairly closed and/or self-perpetuating.  It
>>does not mean that good and excellent people are not in those posts.
>>It just means that a certain insider mentality can emerge.  Keeping as
>>much of the Kingdom and Society business in the open can help keep
that
>>from causing problems.  Someone demanded my proof or documentation for
>>wanting to limit closed meetings.  OK, start with the United Way.
>>Pedernales Electric Coop is another.  Closed decision making processes
>>can lead to "group think" and other undesirable group behaviors.
>>
>>It has been asserted that we have to just trust the crown and officers
>>to make the correct decisions for us.  I think the crown and officers
>>should trust us to be allowed to know how OUR society works.  We (or
at
>>least many of us) "pay to play" this game.  The Society cannot exist
>>with a general populace.
>>
>>If any feels the need to object, please feel free to contact me off-
>>list.  I have stated my opinions and had several people misstate them
>>in reply, question my motives, and/or my character. I see no reason to
>>inflict another round of that on good gentles disinterested in reading
>>more.
>>
>>Cuan mac Niall
>>
>>
>>---------------------------------
>>Never miss a thing.   Make Yahoo your homepage.
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