November 23rd meeting at OPW

[dan]

First off I want to make this perfectly clear. Wait that's not too
Nixonian is it. OK what I wanted to say was that this post is my
opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of MyPeace or OPW.
That said I think we all need to have this meeting on Tuesday November
23rd at OPW @ Noon. We do have some things that need to be hashed out
and they should be discussed before they have a chance to fester. And
let's remember we are all adults. I feel there has been some childish
behavior at some meetings. Please just show respect towards others and
courtesy towards the group as a whole. Now If you want to bring
refreshments for the group that would be great. Chips or Pizza or what
ever you feel like. Let's make this a fun meeting. Hey we did good on
MyPeace. We started with an idea that became a reality. We helped
Salem to think of OPW in a new and more positive light. You should be
very proud of what you all did. Let's wrap up this years MyPeace in a
fun manner that makes us all want to have another MyPeace in 2011. Now
if somebody doesn't like this post, please remember this is mine. So
complain to me, not Peter or Carrie. Thank you all and hope to see you
here on Tuesday. Peace.

[Linda Coons]

thank you, Dan.Nicely said.  I just posted --Sherrie and I were somehow over looked in

the resposne column for "lets getter done" I agree and stated in the past post as well

that we all have important things coming up all the time.  Some  feel this meeting is

last on their list to "take care of" others are anxious to share right away while the

energy and facts are fresh.  Let us finish our project evaluation this year.  This is our

reward for the hard work.  I can have Pizza any Friday night and bake it in my oven.

That is not special believe me.  I have suggested Prudence Uncorked--local, lovely and

fresh gourmet food.  Are we not good enough to treat ourselves to first class service and

food!?--maybe not, heh?  Then,  as a third suggestion - Marco Polo-veg. or any other cuisine-

fabulous food local and a few of us know owners.  there is sep. meeting room, top shelf service

 fabulous teas and wines, etc.  If I want to celebrate something special I dont ask Don to take me to

Pizza hut.  Can we have a vote of members for place?

1)Pizza Hut and Chippy Changa (jeans sweatshirts&papernapkins and hands)-self serve stand in line

 2)Cherry City Coffee -(jeans , shirts, sweaters and paper cups and napkins)-self serve stand in line

3) Prudence Uncorked ( a little dressy and adult)  kowtowing royal service- chairs and cloth table cloths and napkins-can we

handle all this luxery and attendance?

 4) Marco Polos ( a little dressy and adult)    

Local well known owners and local award winning restaurant. Sep. meeting room and wines and or

  lucious chinese specialty teas and top shelf menu for vegans.

 fabulous friendly service and same extras as above.!

May we vote on #!, #2, #3 or #4? now please.  This is a treat by the way so we can treat

ourselves to Pizza Hut or Coffee or  #3 or #4.?  

No brainer between #3and #4

My vote is number  #4

Linda

 

 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MyPeace Project Organizers" group.
To post to this group, send email to mypeace-proje...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mypeace-project-org...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mypeace-project-organizers?hl=en.

[Sherry Burge]

Even though the meeting has been postponed, I just want to say I truly appreciate your attitude, Dan.  I think a celebration is in order and although Pizza isn't my first choice, meeting at OPW is not my first choice, I would be happy to participate if it is possible for me to do so.  

I truly don't understand the apathy that seems to be prevailing about what we did accomplish and about righting the issues that arose during the last year.  Beneath all this "stuff", I think the goal individual members embraced by getting involved with this project was essentially the same.  And yes, there is a lot of work to do for the project to move forward but that fact should not cloud what was accomplished and the possibilities of building on the positive results. The year was an experiment...a trial balloon, if you will ...and I am understanding it was a transition period for OPW  to launch a new and hopefully more powerful image so that the work for peace becomes more relevant to the public.  Transitions are never easy and it is difficult to switch from a warrior stance to one of negotiation and team-building.  That being said, I certainly don't know all the answers on how to do it and I suspect that not one of the members does know all the answers...AND, most importantly, since not one of us knows all the answers, it will take more than one of us to see it accomplished. 

Anyhow...my wish right now is that everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving.

---

From: dan <d...@oregonpeaceworks.org>
To: MyPeace Project Organizers <mypeace-proje...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Fri, November 19, 2010 12:11:09 PM
Subject: November 23rd meeting at OPW

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MyPeace Project Organizers" group.
To post to this group, send email to mypeace-proje...@googlegroups.com.

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mypeace-project-organizers+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

[Linda Coons]

Sherry, your assessments are wonderful and crystal clear analysis always.

NO, I say if we wait till Jan or Feb our chance has passed.  Its like a published writer friend said to me about writing

" I don't care where you are when the muse hits!! Be prepared to write. Have your notebook and pen ready

always --and on you.  Pull off the side of the road and write it, kiss your partner and say not tonite hon!-- and grab your

pad and pen, have the pad and pen by the john, by the stove, ALWAYS in your purse so when the moment of inspiration

hits your will be ready ......... remember you do NOT  get a second chance for that one of a kind thought.!!! Like photography!

Only ones truly interested in gathering right away in a fun and productive way are Sherry, Linda , Dan, Bob, and

hopefully Mark and
maybe Jenn.  Can't remember what she said about time cept more evening I think.  Remember, later is too late.

I did not just make up this concept it is what happens when access and energy are thwarted.

Linda

PS I suggested places and times and menus sorta

I asked for votes.

no responses so I suggest those who can DO!

Please respond core 4 or 5  or anyone else alive out there who may really be interested please! and we can go ahead and do a review ourselves and submit it to rest of group.

when we finish.

 

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mypeace-project-org...@googlegroups.com.

[Brother Pilgrim]

Hi, 

I'm available evenings.  Just let me know. 

BB

[Carlie Keever]

Hello all,

I would like to attend the wrap up celebration. Keep me posted as when it is happening.

Carlie

[Paul LaRue]

I have been “on the fringes” – watching the planning, appreciating the effort, able to do little myself.

 

I just want to thank those of you who gave so much time and effort to MyPeace.   THANK YOU, FRIENDS.   Was it perfect ?  No….  Was it worth the effort ?  Yes….

 

Can something be done to follow up next year ??

 

AMEN !

 

Paul LaRue

 

---

[Jenn Smith]

MyPeace Group,

 

I will not be participating with MyPeace for right now.  I am finding I am just not able to do it.  I wish you luck in the future and if I am able to help in the future I will be in touch.

Jenn Smith

---

From: Linda Coons <whot...@gmail.com>
To: mypeace-proje...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sat, November 20, 2010 5:03:13 PM
Subject: Re: November 23rd meeting at OPW

[Linda Coons]

THANK YOU DEAR AND WISE SAGE!

We needed the detached observer to give us a truer view of ourselves.

Great question!! sweetly put.

and I say yes as well

Linda

--

[Peter Bergel]

Well said, Sherry. Thanks.

I regret that we did not go ahead and have the MyPeace meeting we scheduled for Nov. 23, but when I heard that a number of people (Tim, Jenn, Jonathan, and Carrie at least, and there was confusion about Joanne's availability) could not make it and that several of them had issues they wanted to bring to that meeting, I agreed with Tim that we should postpone it, especially since no consensus was arising from the emails about location and food.

I'd like to try now to reschedule it before the end of the year, if others are interested in doing that. In the interest of agreeing on a date, please follow this link: http://doodle.com/7zyvqs2y9kgrkg8khttp://doodle.com/7zyvqs2y9kgrkg8k, fill in your name and check your availability for each of the dates shown. Hopefully we will readily find the best date using this tool.

The questions about location, facilitation and food will remain when a meeting date has been chosen. Partially because of issues raised below, I will go along with whatever the group decides about these issues and invite some member of the group who has concerns about them to step up and provide the leadership to make happen whatever they want to have happen with respect to those matters. Otherwise, I suggest that the meeting be held at the OPW office, that we do it potluck style and that Tim be asked to facilitate.

I would also like to comment on a couple of other issues that have arisen in all this debate.

1. Money. The claim has been made that the money left over from MyPeace belongs to MyPeace or to the group of people who originated the project. It is important to me that people understand the following:
* OPW has provided a home to MyPeace in every way since the project moved from the Friends Meeting House. This has included meeting space, staff time, materials, printing, storage, use of OPW's 501-c-3 status and more, all of which have financial value.
* OPW staff spent so much time on MyPeace that we were unable to organize our usual fall fundraiser The Great Getaway Raffle. The funds this event raises generally help us get through the fall. This year we are having to do without them. Thus we REALLY NEED the (considerably smaller) amount that's left over from MyPeace to help cover this shortfall.
* OPW has been operating under an extreme austerity program since last spring to pay off debts that accumulated prior to that time. As a result, we had to lay off staff and stop printing the PeaceWorker. My salary -- never very much -- was reduced by 3/4 to the point where I am now paid little more than a full-time volunteer, yet I have all the responsibilities for keeping OPW operating. We still have rent, and many other expenses to pay. That is why I am so parsimonious when it comes to spending money from the OPW account.

2. Leadership. During the flurry of recent emails, charges of "autocracy" and other language relating to a dictatorial style have been tossed around. I think these concerns need to be aired during the upcoming meeting, but I would like people to think about the following:
* When a project has made commitments to certain activities and people who have taken on responsibilities to fulfill those commitments fail to carry out those responsibilities, what should others do? Ignore the problem, wait till the next meeting when it may be too late, or take action? If people take action, should they be criticized or applauded?
* When people have been repeatedly asked for information without which others cannot carry out their responsibilities, and have failed to provide it, what should those others do?
* When a person has been asked repeatedly by the group to fulfill the role of facilitator, should he be criticized for utilizing facilitation tools that restrict the amount of time that any individual can take, in the interests of getting through an agenda that no member of the group asked to change upon even though invited to do so?

If people will consider these questions prior to the meeting, I know it will help meet my need for understanding and compassion.

Thank you,

Peter

At 06:59 AM 11/20/2010, Sherry Burge wrote:

Even though the meeting has been postponed, I just want to say I truly appreciate your attitude, Dan.  I think a celebration is in order and although Pizza isn't my first choice, meeting at OPW is not my first choice, I would be happy to participate if it is possible for me to do so. 
I truly don't understand the apathy that seems to be prevailing about what we did accomplish and about righting the issues that arose during the last year.  Beneath all this "stuff", I think the goal individual members embraced by getting involved with this project was essentially the same.  And yes, there is a lot of work to do for the project to move forward but that fact should not cloud what was accomplished and the possibilities of building on the positive results. The year was an experiment...a trial balloon, if you will ...and I am understanding it was a transition period for OPW  to launch a new and hopefully more powerful image so that the work for peace becomes more relevant to the public.  Transitions are never easy and it is difficult to switch from a warrior stance to one of negotiation and team-building.  That being said, I certainly don't know all the answers on how to do it and I suspect that not one of the members does know all the answers...AND, most importantly, since not one of us knows all the answers, it will take more than one of us to see it accomplished.
Anyhow...my wish right now is that everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving.

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mypeace-project-org...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mypeace-project-organizers?hl=en .

Peter Bergel
Executive Director
Oregon PeaceWorks
104 Commercial St. NE
Salem, OR  97301
503-371-8002

[Brother Pilgrim]

In response to comment 1.  I think there is no question that OPW has expended a lot of resources in support of the MyPeace Project and that financial compensation is absolutely appropriate.  Because MyPeace IS NOT an OPW project but a project well supported this year by OPW, as its primary administrative organization, I think giving net income from the MyPeace Project to OPW is a good thing. 

In response to comment 2. I agree that there has been an ongoing problem with leadership in many areas, especially communication.  I wish for greater clarity about roles and responsibilities and the opportunity to face the shadow, the not so pretty and sometimes time consuming issues that arise from miscommunication and other unfortunate behavior.  One such issue has appeared, once again, in the letter sent from 'The MyPeace Project' dated November 22, 2010, signed by Carrie Adams.  In which it's written, 'Oregon PeaceWorks is currently reviewing the option of continuing the MyPeace Project next year.'  This appears as a miscommunication of facts.  I shared this statement with a member of the Board of Directors of Oregon PeaceWorks, who actually have the authority to decide such things along with my opinion of it being in error and was told that my judgment appeared correct.  OPW, as an organization, was never asked nor did it approve having proprietary ownership of the MyPeace Project.  For OPW staff to indicate this in communications and other behaviors is mistaken and in need of addressing for the good of both MyPeace and OPW. Attempting to address these issues in meetings and being cut-off because of a wish to focus on task related topics leaves such things to fester into toxicity.  My continued support of MyPeace is contingent upon it being clearly established as a true grassroots collaborative community effort that allows for the changing roles of individuals and organizations to meet the needs of MyPeace projects.  Not a proprietary project of one organization.  That MyPeace has been publicized as and now appears to the public, many project organizers and OPW staff as an OPW project hurts and saddens me.  It also helps me understand why many leaders of groups in our community just kind of faded away from the project.  As I wrote in a previous post, if MyPeace is to engage in a project focused on youth, is OPW the best fit in a primary administrative role? or should MyPeace take its resources and offer them to a more naturally youth oriented organization?  These are the kind of questions that MyPeace has to answer when investigating continuing.  I think the question OPW has to answer is whether it, as an organization or its staff, will support another MyPeace Project?  

BB

[Sherry Burge]

Hey Peter...

the link you put into this piece didn't produce anything on my computer...anyone else have this problem?

---

From: Peter Bergel <pbe...@igc.org>
To: mypeace-proje...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 29, 2010 12:36:58 PM
Subject: Finding a time for a MyPeace Meeting

[Peter Bergel]

Hmmm. On close examination, it is clear that the link somehow got repeated twice in the original email. It should be
http://doodle.com/7zyvqs2y9kgrkg8k

Thanks for letting me know.

Peter

At 06:15 AM 11/30/2010, Sherry Burge wrote:

Hey Peter...
the link you put into this piece didn't produce anything on my computer...anyone else have this problem?