[adcom] Re: [Convention] Convention - Decision Needed on Interim Registration Period

[Adam Sacks]

Hi All --

Here's some feedback on why my registration isn't in yet -- maybe it's
just me, perhaps there's something in here that will be useful.  In any
case, thanks to all for the very hard work that you're putting into
this.

For better or worse or even worse than worse, most of the events that I
respond to come to my attention via e-mail.  Because I'm really busy,
snail mail gets a cursory glance -- and it may not be for weeks after I
get it -- unless there's something that really jumps out at me.

So, because I lurk on the GRP lists, I found out a couple of days ago
that the convention was on May 1-2.  I then checked the GRP News and
saw to my surprise that the early deadline was March 25th.  So here's
how you could have gotten my attention:

1. Instead of just burying the convention details in the News  (the
only mention is one line of small type on the front cover under
"Inside"), there should have been in large type "GRP Convention, May
1-2, Details on Page XX" on one of the folds **that is immediately
visible** when taking it out of the mailbox.

2. A single dedicated postcard.

3. Easiest of all, an e-mail announcement to all GRP members -- or
several such announcements.

Hope this helps,

Adam
781 674-2339

--- Samantha Zitola <nallepuh at zeeprime.com> wrote:
> Hello everyone...
> 
> I would first like to say that I am feeling very frustrated with this
> whole
> process.  I was under the impression that all committees had their
> own
> autonomy and were acting on behalf of StateCom, not on behalf of
> AdCom.  
> Each committee was accountabale to StateCom and unltimately the
> membership
> and did not have to have all things pass AdCom first.
> 
> Our committee has had a report at all the StateCom meetings this past
> year
> (September, November, and January) of which I can not find a copy nor
> the  
> minutes available on the web.  At those meetings, our report was
> accepted 
> as read.  What othe rcommitte did that?  Since almost everyone on the
> AdCom
> is part of the StateCom you had as much a right as anyone else to
> raise 
> concerns or questions then.  Why now?... when it is really too late!
> 
> As a committee, we have done all in our power (the 5 of us) to make
> this 
> happen and have really worked hard putting in more than 200 hours
> between
> us.  It seems awaful that now, just a few weeks before the
> convention,
> there is a lot of concern and criticism around our work and efforts.
> That is frustrating and very often results in what little help we
> have
> in the GRP walking away.  There was a time in my life where I would
> have let
> that kind of behavior get the better of me, but I have learned to
> stand up 
> for myself and my efforts, but most people are not like that.  Time
> is
> precious and not worth spending on work that will untimatley be
> almost
> completely revised by others.
> 
> As to lack of turn out, that is in NO WAY our commitee's fault.  We
> had
> all the new forms ready for the original newsletter deadline, which 
> for many reasons did not got out on time.  Again, not our fault.  We
> had
> forms available at the Harvard Presidential Debate that had the same
> deadlines on them.  Since then, I have personally reminded as many
> people
> as I know, my local, at our County Convention, our committee, the
> CDLC 
> when I saw them at Tony's, personal  friends, and even others while 
> campaigning for Rich.  I even took the initiative after the AdCom
> meeting
> with our committee in March to email Owen about an urgent special
> reminder
> for upcoming dealines, including the proposals, nominations, and
> registration.
> There is only so much you can do for others before they need to take
> personal
> resposibility and recognize deadlines for themselves!
> 
> We will have a full report availabe at the StateCom meeting on
> Saturday.
> When do you think that would be on the agenda.  As I have stated
> before,
> and I will restate now so that it is clear, Rich and I will be coming
> late.
> We intend to be there around Noon, and will be bringing hard copies
> with
> us.  We will send an email to the StateCom list by late tomorrow, in
> hopes
> that some people might be able to read it beforehand.
> 
> 
> Now, as to the discussion between the AdCom and ConvCom on how to
> proceed
> and get attendance up....
> 
> It is only appropriate that this announcement come from our
> committee.
> If we can not come to consensus on exactly how to proceed, either
> within
> our committe or between the two committees, we will bring that as
> part of
> our report for Saturday and let StateCom make a decision, since it is
> really up to that body to approve.
> 
> 
> >1) Food deadline extension possibility
> >they indicated that we could even push it back to Wednesday, 
> >April 21st (basically 10 days before the convention). 
> 
> I agree that if Devens is willing to push back the deadline, that
> is great.  I had been the one working with them, and although I 
> understand the intentioin to contact them was good, it was done
> without my knowledge.  If I was a nasty person, that could be
> perceived as going behind my back.  Perhaps, in the future, when 
> others want to take such action, it would be best to contact
> the lead person handling it before taking matters into their own
> hands.  Again, this is not a personal attack, it is a suggestion
> to help aviod unnecesary hard felings.  However, I do not feel
> we should wait until the 21st.  The name tags have to be made and the
> final payment, last I knew, was due on the 15th.  Do we have the 
> funds available to cover the cost without receiving the check?
> Is that putting too much on you Dan?
> 
> 
> >2) Childcare
> 
> >Adcom will take responsibility for arranging professional childcare 
> >for the convention. Dan has posted an email to statecom and adcom
> lists
> >indicating that it might be a $360 expense.
> 
> I do not understand why this needs to happen.  Everyone was given 6-8
> weeks, depending on if you were at Harvard and when you got your
> newsletter,
> to register for childcare.  No one did which means there was no need.
>  Why
> do we need to open this up again?  We are perputating the problem of
> lack of
> personal responsibility and that deadlines don't mean a thing, this
> is one of
> our key values.  I am  opposed to this and would have to block this
> decision
> because of that.  
> 
> 
> >3) Modified Interim Registration Form
> 
> 
> >There would be a special form for it. The form would be posted on
> the 
> >website for the period that it is valid, and it would be sent in an
> email
> >to various lists including the announcements list.
> 
> 
> This is great.  Do we have a volunteer to do this?
> 
> 
> >The form would be like the long Registration Form except for the
> following:
> >No Green Hours Discounts Offered, No Long Distance Bus
> Transportation 
> >Offered, Use the "Full Price" sliding scale from the Late
> Registration form.
> 
> Great!  Again, do we have a volunteer to do this?
> 
> 
> >4) Notification
> 
> >email form then fax the form to Dan, also mail their form and
> payment. 
> >folks intending to register "day of" if they could email or call the
> >office to let us know so we can get a better picture of the expected
> 
> >attendance.
> 
> Great ideas!  Is this too much for you Dan?  Who will be checking the
> office number?  How will the ConvCom know how we are doing number
> wise?
> 
> 
> >5) The "Scrap It and Have a Minimalist Convention"
> >Scenario
> 
> I think this would be a bad idea.  We have already invested money and
> we need to make that investment count.  An additonal mailing is as
> much 
> money and will take a lot of work.
> 
> 
> >6) Going from a 2-day to a 1-day Convention at Devens
> >to try to lower the cost
> 
> 
> I would prefer not to do this.  In essence, we would have to modify
> the
> schedule so much that it would effectively be like another all day
> StateCom
> meeting.  Those are not interesting enough to atract the current
> members,
> how would we atract others?  Who would contact all the people who
> have 
> already registered?  We would have to refund food money and
> registration
> money and cancel workshops, and caucuses.  Who would come up with the
> new schedule?  Who would contact the leaders of those workshops and 
> caucuses?  Our committee was not planning to meet again.  The loose
> ends
> we had were going to be done by phone and email.
> 
> 
> ttfn...
> 
> Samantha :)
> _______________________________________________
> AdCom mailing list
> AdCom at green-rainbow.org
> http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/adcom


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