[Imc] How to Resolve the Microphone-Repairs Conflict

[Paul Kotheimer]

hi Paul et al,

I want to let you know that I don't think anyone is personally responsible
for any part of this problem. 

I think of it as a test case in IMC conflict resolution, policy-making,
and the communalization of expensive equipment.  We are all learning all
these skills by being the IMC.

Unfortunately, it's a test case in which my personal feelings are on the
line BIG TIME.  I have had to work REALLY hard at not going ballistic in
the past two e-mails I've written.  As a result of keeping my own flaming
rage at a low boil (which I think I've done fairly well), I'm in a better
position to be a self-advocating, self-questioning participant in the
matter.  

Other cases might require a third party as an intermediary between the
complaintant (i.e., the person in my position) and the organization.  I
tried to play that third-party role in the dispute between Sehvilla and
Space about locking-the-front-door-from-the-inside.  One of the things I
did as the Third-Party at that time was simply make sure that Sehvilla
knew that she was invited to the Steering Committee meeting, that she
could make it to the Steering Meeting on the day in question, and that her
issue was on the top of the agenda on that day.

So, I recommend that the best way for cases like this to get resolved is
1.) in the steering committee (NOT in a Working Group) 2.) with a
third-party advocate, if necessary and 3.) with a special guest
facilitator for the agenda item which addresses the case.

If I had my choice, I would ask Mark Enslin to be the special guest
facilitator, and I would ask Tech to co-ordinate with him as to whether
he's available to sit in.  I would ask anyone from not-Tech to be ready to
play the role of my advocate if it becomes difficult to separate the
personal from the procedural.

I am available from Noon 'til about 12:25 on Sundays, which constrains
when my issue might be an agenda item.  I would expect to be INVITED to
the Steering Committee meeting, i.e. NOT to have to just show up on my
own, stone cold with no idea that my issue will be given ample air-time.

I hope folks agree that strategies like these will help make a better IMC
Conflict Res. arrangement.

hoping to hear from someone soon,
paulkotheimer:)
 

On Mon, 17 Jun 2002, Paul Riismandel wrote:

> Paul,
> 
> I am sorry if I forgot the numbers you gave me in person.  Sometimes 
> there's just too many things going on for me to keep track of. It's not an 
> excuse, just an explanation.  I haven't been on-line much since you last 
> sent your e-mail requests, so that's why I haven't otherwise responded.
> 
> I would really prefer to work this out in person rather than on 
> e-mail.  I'm confused about who told what to whom and when, and will remain 
> so until it's possible for us all to get in sync.  I think that e-mail is 
> hurting more than helping, only adding to the confusion.  If it was my 
> forgetting what numbers you quoted me that caused all this, then please 
> accept my apologies.
> 
> I'd like to invite you to the Tech meeting this Wed. at 6pm.  If this is a 
> bad time for you is there some other time we can arrange?  I won't be here 
> Thurs through Sunday this week.
> 
> --Paul
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 02:28 PM 6/17/2002 -0500, Paul Kotheimer wrote:
> >hi again, Steering:
> >
> >i remember a few months back Steering said it didn't need a conflict
> >resolution system.  i am doing you the favor of acting as consultant by
> >being the problem. and i tell you, as a consultant, that the current
> >so-called conflict resolution system sucks.
> >
> >FIRST, RE: this:
> >
> > > Actually, Mike, Tech did receive an email from paul a while back in which
> > > he gave us a couple numbers that he was thinking would be the estimate,
> > > because he wasn't given exact numbers for repair, just rough "sight
> > > unseen" numbers.  we've been waiting for confirmation of those
> >numbers...
> >
> >I told Paul Riismandel the exact numbers in person at the IMC before I
> >okayed the shipment with Aaron at C.V.'s.  Regarding the repair cost
> >exceeding the replacement cost, I suggest that Tech double-check the model
> >number of the AKG microphone which was broken.  I think it lists for over
> >$225.
> >
> >NEXT :  When no single person is responsible for IMC loaned-gear breakage,
> >the loaner still needs the total amount of a repair covered.  This is a
> >general guarantee which ANY LOANER/DONOR is going to NEED in order to loan
> >gear to the IMC.  It seems like any reasonable potential donor would want
> >what I want in this case.
> >
> >AS AN ASIDE, REGARDLESS OF ALL OF THIS, I have OFFERRED to perform a
> >benefit concert to raise the $250 (and we could quite plausibly raise
> >twice that) in September.  So in the end, the cost of repairing these two
> >microphones is very likely going to be NEGATIVE!  what the $$$$ is wrong
> >with your arithmetic skills?
> >
> >LASTLY, if the IMC disbursing the total amount to C.V.'s is going to be
> >thumbs-downed by Steering, and I get stuck covering this bullshit, you
> >would HAVE TO predict that I will reconsider how safe I feel making my
> >gear available to the IMC, wouldn't you?  If necessary, then, think of it
> >this way: For a mere $125 now, you get $1000 worth of stage monitors,
> >$300-$500 worth of connecting cable (i.e. the 16 channel snake), not to
> >mention a few dozen other items, on indefinite loan, just like you have
> >gotten since January 2000, PLUS a benefit show which could raise plenty
> >more than that.
> >
> >AND, AS A POST-SCRIPT, the line about Russell's equipment snafu being my
> >fault is a low fucking blow.  I worked my ass off to get Russell's gear in
> >the door and hooked up by deadline--and on a zero-dollar budget, to boot.
> >Put yourself in my shoes and ask whether or not you would be FURIOUS.
> >
> >In short, I urge Steering and Tech to think again.
> >
> >community respects individuals
> >paulkotheimer:)
> >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> >THE HAND-MADE RECORD LABEL
> >www.handmaderecords.com
> >
> >c/o the School for Designing a Society
> >409 North Race Street
> >Urbana, IL 61801
> >217 384 0299 phone (no fax)
> >
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> 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE HAND-MADE RECORD LABEL
www.handmaderecords.com

c/o the School for Designing a Society
409 North Race Street
Urbana, IL 61801
217 384 0299 phone (no fax)