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

[Merelice at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/7/04 9:15:23 PM, nallepuh at zeeprime.com writes:

<< As to lack of turn out, that is in NO WAY our commitee's fault.  >>

I can understand the sensitivities of the convention committee at this time. 
But let me reassure everyone that at no time during the adcom meeting did we 
place any blame on anybody. We have all had to cope with less than desirable 
conditions in our various efforts. I speak as one who worked very hard (and 
several times around the clock) to get out a newsletter that simply was not moving 
along. And so we had to go back to it when we thought we were mostly 
finished! We did our best and rolled with the punches.

In discussing the convention, I think the adcom identified a genuine problem 
-- the real possibility that the Party could incur a significant financial 
loss, a loss we simply cannot afford. In fact, our hope instead is that the State 
Committee will undertake a vigorous phone campaign (or something) to get 
people to the convention. But the problem has to be made unmistakably clear. And 
the State Com must be galvanized; neither the adcom nor the convention 
committee can solve this problem without broad involvement.

It was natural then for the adcom to want to explore various solutions. Our 
thought was to be able to go to State Com with ideas, not just problems. And we 
were in touch with the convention committee while we were still in the middle 
of discussions. We hoped that by identifying the problem, EVERYONE would 
start sharing ideas and suggestions. If this did not come across in communications 
with you, I apologize on behalf of AdCom. I don't believe that was our intent.

We are, however, into problem-solving. And that includes finding suitable 
child care, if it turns out to be needed. To single out that deadline as the only 
one that is non-negotiable is unnecessary. Of course, the best scenario is 
for everyone to meet every deadline. But since that hasn't happened, a little 
compassion goes a long way in trying to meet everyone's needs, along with the 
Party's need to stay solvent. In particular, I think that if Lisa and Chicago 
need childcare, the Party should extend itself to them, given the enormous 
service they have just extended to the Party as organizers of a successful 16-day 
statewide march (during which the convention registration deadline fell).

So I ask you not to read blame and condemnation where they don't exist.  I do 
think it was valid for you to point out that, in our eagerness, we should not 
have taken some actions without your knowledge. But if your initial reaction 
was to resist doing anything or to become defensive, then it's hard not to 
want to jump in and do some fact-finding. I hope you will take our fact-finding 
and include it in your report at State Com with whatever recommendations you 
deem effective.
Sincerely, Merelice