[Imc] How to Resolve the Microphone-Repairs Conflict

Mon Jun 17 23:24:48 UTC 2002

ok.  considering that paul needs this resolved before the tech group meets
next, i suggest that we just write a check to cover all the expenses that
these repairs cost him.  paul has offered to do a fundraiser sometime in
the future to help recover these costs.  fine.  if it doesn't happen, then
we'll just figure out something else.

i know this solution is problematic.  it satisfies paul's desires while
trampling on other folks.  we'll just call this a lesson learned, and make
sure we don't put ourselves in this position again.  this really didn't
seem to be a controversy as much as it was a breakdown of communication
lines.  but it will lead to a policy (probably one that's much more
specific than we're currently working on) to help facilitate the loaning
of equipment and the repair of such.  it also raises other concerns which
i will bring to the tech group, rather than spouting off at length over
email.

thoughts, tech group, or imcistas at large?

brian

On Mon, 17 Jun 2002, Paul Kotheimer wrote:

> 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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> > >IMC at www.ucimc.org
> > >http://lists.cu.groogroo.com/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc
> >
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> 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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