{{these minutes are solely my interpretation of events and in no way are meant to be a reflection of the official minutes. These thoughts are approved only by me, and are not approved by any KLA member or employee.}}
Well we had an eventful meeting yesterday. Granted it was closer to a UFC cage match than most KLA meetings, but it had the distinction of being one I won’t soon forget.
We went around and introduced ourselves, where we work, and something about our favorite pet. I think it was Denise Smith who had the best story, something like out of the saddest Disney film you ever watched. A dead pig, a dead sheep, a run over puppy, all in about the span of a week! Poor Denise.
During the member and guest comments we were treated to the song “You really got me” by the son of Andrew Evans. I expect that at some point that kid is gonna be a rock/jazz/blues/classical star.
Then we went through the normal submitting of minutes and reports from the previous year. The report that really caught my attention was the one by Richard Brookman the chair of the Young Adult Roundtable. He has some exciting stuff prepared for his roundtable and for the KLA at large. Keep an eye on Richard, that cat seems to be able to get things going at full speed.
Next up was the ratification of presidential appointees. That was quickly done, with yours truly being name the publications/KLA newsletter chair. Andrew Evans and I are going to get together in some fashion and try to kick out a normal style newsletter sometime here in the near future. (Bet you didn’t know that, huh, Andrew?)
Well, then started 2 ½ hours of what I would call the worst case of civility in a KLA council meeting I have ever witnessed. Basically one section of KLA had sent a representative to the meeting to argue that sections case about what they consider to be an unfair dues structure. The section feels that they are being unfairly picked on by the new proposed due structure, and the Executive Council of the KLA feels that they are received a dues break that no other section in KLA is given. Seems simple enough doesn’t it? Well it did at first.
My problem was not with the problem that this section had, but with the way the representative bullied and badgered people on the council. I lost track of how many times this person tried to derail someone’s comments by making some snarky witticism that only appeared to bemuse himself.
It is at this point in my remarks about the meeting that I should say that Roger Carswell is now one of my favorite people. With calmness and intelligence he was able to tone down the elevated emotions….but only for a bit.
Motions were suggested; amendments to resolutions proposed….and 2 hours later things were so confusing to me at this point that on both votes relating to this I voted ‘abstain’. I could not in my mind justifying voting for or against something that no longer made sense to me.
Civility never goes out of style! And with class and grace Laura Loveless was able to handle what I thought was unacceptable behavior. I felt bad for the gentleman who sat next to this agitated section officer. I know we all hear the term ‘guilt by association’ all too often, but in this case, it personally made me sad. To his credit this person did ask the agitated person to calm down a bit, but to no avail.
I don’t feel that either side walked away thinking they had won this battle, if anything it was a skirmish that will inevitably be repeated.
The best thing about the meeting was that it ended.
So what are your thoughts? Where Were you at the meeting? Do you feel I got things all wrong? Or slightly wrong?
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