Another Day

[Transformus Announcements]

Good morning, all;
 
Hope as many as could, possibly, get a night's rest and have had time to exhale.
 
Once again, as an annual and seemingly routine part of the planning of this event, we are at this place which neither helps or encourages participation and involvement of those who desire to contribute with said event. And, at a point in time which is critical to obtain goals and coverage for a safe event.
 
I'm not going to expend on what I've done for this event, where I've been or "who" I am, other than a proven and committed member of this "Community", since inception.
 
Over the years, the event has had growing pains in which many avenues of dissent and conflict as well as serious injury have been dealt with. It hasn't always been pretty or pleasurable as evidenced in the posts of the past few days (and years).
 
In response to phone calls and emails it is evident there is passion and, again, proven commitment to the planning and execution of the event by many individuals.
 
As for the post yesterday DTR sent from the BOD, imho, the extended time and commitment Jace has given to the event was not truly acknowledged. (Thank you, DTR for taking the time to send.)
 
After the ticket process and the website itself was compromised last year (not trying to rehash), if it hadn't been for Jace stepping up and guiding resolving the intricacies of the many "arms" of the ticket process and the website itself, there would not have been an event last year. I didn't want it to happen, honestly. Too much damage had been done, I felt. I felt "we" should take a year off to re-organize and become stable.
 
Enter Jace and Vespa (and a few others on the BOD at the time and even some Community members) who also jumped in, to help sort out the shambles of the website and ticket process.
 
If you were able to attend the event last year, "we" were lucky to have been there...  that the event was able to resurface from the ashes and chaos, was nothing short of a miracle. These individuals will never receive the thanks they truly deserve. They saved the event, really.
 
Having said that, allow me to acknowledge the incredible response of the volunteers without which the event, once again, would not have happened. Volunteers stepped up in a BIG way when we needed them most.
 
Now, here we are again with negativity, flaming, personality conflicts, etc., etc., ...
 
The Community wanted a Planning Committee; BOD went through the time and process to place a Planning Committee; from the applicants, the BOD tried as best we could to apply and utilize the applicants and their "talents" and experience by which we thought could best serve the Community. And, as an adage, I was really surprised to see some of those who "screamed the loudest" last year, did not apply, to help and resolve those issues which were so passionate to them at the time.
 
The applicants who were finally decided upon were accepted for said "talents" and experience to work with the BOD to implement all that is involved with safely planning an event of this size and "popularity". They are here to guide and assist the Teams and Community (and assist the BOD) in the process of a safe event
 
As there are currently only four BOD, I, for one, welcomed the "help". I look forward to the assistance and still do.
 
I do support the Planning Committee; I support their "talents" and passion of which they each offer. I do not support public flaming of individuals by anyone on any list, anywhere. I am grateful and appreciate the assistance the Planning Committee has offered so far and those who are willing to continue to help "bring this ship to port" as Vespa likes to call it ....
 
If nothing else from this post, I implore each of us reading this to stop and think about what you're posting in a public forum... is it helpful to the Community? Informative? Is there support of the Community or individuals in the post? Am I pissed at this individual right now? Take a moment to think about what you're "saying". If the "information" is not positive in any of these ways, take it offlist ..... imho.
 
The internet is an "eighth wonder of civilization", if you will. The services and possibilities the internet offers is mind boggling; and, yet, can be so destructive. It does not allow for the face-to-face accountability and clear resolution as we hope to have with those who are able to attend the Town Hall mtg. in a few days.
 
I usually stay in the background ("behind the curtain" as some like to call it) and just do what I can to help plan, schedule, organize and support all those who may find passion, enjoyment and enlightenment from being a member of this Community and event.
 
I wish we could resolve the present issues and move forward with the (hopefully) lessons or boundaries we learned or realized and get everything done. We have too many gifted individuals (and yet, not enough) willing to give their time to the Community - while denying themselves.
 
I would love to see the Community elect a BOD in the near future - as in after event but before end of year. This is my own yet much repeated desire. I've made this known to many in conversation, BOD chats, meetings, etc. This is where TH mtg.'s are useful and very helpful. Hard to schedule - but would be helpful. Could also be done online; submissions, voting, etc.
 
Hope all have a better day and I look forward to seeing as many as possible at the Town Hall meeting.
 
Debra  aka: g8kpr