AQC: September 2009

Note: I unconsciously used the phrase "all in one peace" but I think it actually fits as an interesting pun. You have to have a stretch of peace to present an idea.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: James Duvall <jkduvall@bcpl.org>Date: 2009/9/9Subject: MTG - A Meeting Agenda in the Local History Department
To: "Duvall, Niki" <nicoleduvall@gmail.com>Cc: afryle@fuse.net

Niki,

Here is the agenda Bridget has set: I call it "sharpening the ax". Where did I sign anything when I joined the library that said I had to agree to recorded meetings? Notice all meetings and discussions are to consist of "positive feedback". How can a meeting consist of "feedback"? You have to have something to provide feedback for, and isn't negative feedback just as important? You can have negative feedback in a positive manner. Notice also that though you get fifteen minutes to present your report, you must stop at least twice and hear "positive feedback"; how can you present something of any complexity (such as why the Annals must have a structure) when you are not allowed to say it all in one peace. How can the other people "make feedback" when they don't understand the idea yet?

I will not be taking part in such meetings until my concerns have been addressed in a positive manner (even if the actual "feedback" is negative). I think people do not often realize the great inefficency of so-called "team work" if that means merely agreeing with everyone else and acting like they are doing a great job, even if they're wrong and messing things up. The best thing that can happen to organizations, marriages, and groups, is to have vigorous disagreements in a positive manner. Organizations often forget the high price in time and ability that comes from promoting hogwash. We ought to encourage minority points of view, even the majority gets its way. That's why we have elections; someone has to decide, but everyone gets a say.

All the best,
Jami

P. S. You know the political aspects of this is covered in the long essay on Free Speech I wrote for Marcus Carey. Should I now write an essay on the inefficiency of "team work"? If a football team spent as much time smoothing each others feathers as committees do they would never win a game. Team work is for a group to demand the utmost exertion from each other; most of these meetings are to create sloppy schedules that leave lots of time for coffee breaks and chit-chat, and the "positive feedback" is to cover sloppy work habits and mental inertia.

Local History Meeting Agenda
10 Sept 2009, 9 a.m. to 11a.m.FY2009
Activities: Where are we?
1.Desk time issues, scheduling, etc.
2.Bridget’s Report: (15 min. max)
3.Laurie’s Report: (15 min. max)
4.James’ Report: (15 min. max)
5.Julie’s Report: (15 min. max)
6.Open Discussion (time to bring up issues, ideas, etc.)
7.When giving a report of your activities, include background on your project (s), if you found anything interesting, and if you need team assistance.

If you have something for the open discussion, please have the question/topic printed out so we can document the possible solutions on the same page. The meeting will be digitally recorded. All meetings and discussions will consist of positive feedback, taking turns with the conversation, and a calm attitude. It is reasonable that after 5 minutes, someone else should be given an opportunity tospeak. If need be, we’ll use a timer (which may help all of us stay focused).
Thanks! Bridget

James Duvall, M. A.
Local History Research Specialist
Annals of Boone County
Boone County Public Library
1786 Burlington Pk.
Burlington, Kentucky 41005
859-342-2665

Archival Quality Communication: A History Blog from the Annals of Boone County
http://archivalqualitycommunication.blogspot.com/

"What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one."
Neil Postman, "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business", (Penguin Books, 1986), p. xix.

AQC

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

"Sharpening the Ax"

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