More on GSand B
I am posting here instead of the message board as I do not feel happy about posting there right now. Anyone, and everyone is welcome to post a constructive comment. I will post them whether they are in agreement or not – there is one sole proviso – don’t be abusive to me, or about anyone else.
The recent posts on the message board seem to be turning the focus away from the main issue.
In my opinion the issue is not
1. Karen’s performance as organiser – we all agree that she is very good at organising the group
or
2. Karen’s decision to stay or leave the group – that is her personal decision. As far as I am aware no-one has asked her to do so.
The issues as I see it are:
1. Karen's reaction to group members deciding to have meetings, open to everyone, out with the standard GS&B calendar
2. The sending of an inappropriate and offensive email
3. The removal of a group member’s appropriate postings on the message board.
There is no doubt that GS&B members are a kind bunch and I certainly understand the wish to calm troubled waters and not to make a bad situation worse. But the bad stuff still happened. We can't shy away from this. We must deal with it. We can do that - it may be very uncomfortable for all of us, but we can do it in a calm, civilised manner.
Lord knows, I've screwed up myself in the past and it can be very hard dealing with the consequences.While is a good thing that people want to support Karen in what is clearly a difficult time for her, I’d like to gently point out that she decided to send that offensive email to everyone, and to delete my postings off the board in order to support what she was saying, since it showed her email to be untrue and inacurate - was that a fair way to treat someone?
And it has had some devastating consequences. I cannot speak for the other people who were named in it, or other group members who were affected, but I am deeply upset by it – this email went to my friends, people whose opinion I care deeply about. What about the possible consequences? I’ve been worried sick .
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good an organiser someone is, or how great they are in any other way. Surely it must be implicit that membership of our group means that everyone is treated with respect and kindness?
Labels: GSandB
posted by Twelfthknit at 5:00 pm
4 Comments:
I wish you all peace.
Believe it or not, knitters can be some of the most sensitive yet socially awkward people in the world. Their feelings get hurt and they don't say anything for weeks and weeks, or they step on people's toes and don't understand how they've been offensive.
I wish you all understanding of one another.
Well, out of mild curiosity I went and read the GS&B meetup site. I have to say, it does sound like your glorious leader has rather thrown her rattle out the pram in a fit of petulant temper because you`ve trespassed on her "ownership" of "her" group. An idea that wasn`t hers! And you`re going to do it without her direct permission! Oooh, you traitors!
Hope you get things up and running again. It sounds like you`ve got a fine group going, plenty of interested people and a lot of people willing to help organise. Restructure and move on. If she can`t bring herself to go with you, her loss, no? It`s all a bit sad when this sort of thing happens, but it`s called growth, no?
Oh dear. What a storm in a teacup - but you're quite right not to let it go. And isn't it horrible how a personal attack can really shake you down to the bones. Consider yourself well hugged and morally supported. And if you're going to be down this way at any point.....
Hey India, hope you got my email okay.
Won't say anymore for now except glad to see GSnB is moving on to better things.
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