To paraphrase Robert Fulghum, “All I really need to know about computer mediated communication, I learned on edebate”.
I wanted to take a moment (between umpiring softball tournaments, having a family vacation, and researching the HS and College Topic) to take a second shot at posting my thoughts on conferences, the failed proposal, and the organizational leadership. Since my post the other day, responding to Malcolm, 2 people I consider friends and highly respect helped me view my email through their eyes. Edebate is indeed a horrible medium at times, and all computer mediated communication comes with risks of misinterpretation. Am I frustrated that the conference proposal failed? Obviously. But the two emails I received made me realize that my frustration is just as much aimed at where we can be more effective leaders as it is at the failure of the amendment. I wont publicly name these 2 friends here. They chose private communication and I respect that. One I have known since my first college tournament and if they are anything, it's passionate about this activity. But I want to thank them for helping me hopefully remember to see things through different eyes. If we, I, can be anything, I hope it's reflexive. So let me answer some concerns the tenor of my email may have raised: First, my opinion about the conference proposal was not meant to chastise either those who voted no or those choosing not to vote. It's primary focus was to share frustration. As much as I want to disagree with Jeff about some not caring about the business of the organization—I want to think everyone cares as deeply as I do—I do have to admit that when 35% do not vote at all, they perhaps see no value in voting. Perhaps part of our organizational mission should be to provide more value. Part of our job should be to encourage voting. I will try and embrace that. As for those who voted no, I will admit I was initially against conferences. But I heard the debate play out for an hour at NCA in Chicago. I came away convinced it was a good idea. There was very little opposition, more devil's advocate playing. Then the proposal failed. We re-hashed the ideas. Upon the encouragement of myself and Gordon Stables, the proposal was resubmitted this summer. This time, no real debate at the business meeting. Some who claimed initial opposition came forward in support. Again it failed. Part of my frustration was what Malcolm conveyed. We are so talkative, yet so few counter arguments were made. It was thought by many of us leaving Dallas, it would pass this time. But when it didn't, frustration mounted. But now, one of my good friends helped illuminate some opposing reasons. Some of them had not been conveyed before. I certainly understand why those in opposition choose not to use edebate, ceda-l, etc. But I hope through honest, back-channel means if necessary, we can come to an understanding. The reasons elucidated were enlightening to me. It gives us common ground to start from. It changes how I see the proposal and how the organization should operate. Without this person taking the time and having the courage to email me, in their own admission with trepidation, we may have no common starting point. Second, I hope the joking reference to “JED” was not seen as a Presidential Seal in code, uncovering the “elite” or “out” members of the “cabal”. If you know my relationship with Jarman, we worked together, he served as a mentor for me, and I think he is one of the best coaches in the country. But we often disagree on issues. A lot. In the end we both work hard, I think, to make the organization better. But we disagree a lot. If you are familiar with the archives, you can see where Mike Davis and I have butted heads in the past. Mike has quickly become one of my favorite people in the activity. But he too will often quip at business meetings, that if him and I agree, it is scary. So my references to them agreeing with me,“out” the Knights Templar. But to put some humor in an otherwise frustrated post. It really was shocking the 3 of us would agree and yet it could not get a super majority to agree as well. But it was definitely meant in a joking manner. Third, my statement about agreeing with Jeff that many may not care about the business of the organization, was not intended to suggest that those voting “no” did not care. It was a saddened admittance on my part that Jeff may be right and some folks don't care and choose not to vote. Again, perhaps we need to give them more to vote for. But as one of my friends pointed out, those voting “no” probably care deeply and have valuable reasons they chose to vote no. Those reasons give me starting points again for common ground between the belief of some of the leadership that the system is broken, business meetings fail to make quorums, and we get stalled, and those who voted no who believe the system would become worse, that the SQ serves their needs, that we failed in the proposal by putting too much burden on the membership, that it was too punitive in nature, etc. We now have a place to work from. I sincerely hope that others who voted no can share their concerns with someone in the leadership. Fourth, I agree that checks and balances are a good thing. I believe that we should not be able to move too quickly when revamping constitutions. I would like to have seen this proposal go forward. It failed. Now we have to work with what we have. And I do believe that everyone who voted no, did so for a reason and probably one that directly impacted them, their institution, or their Region. I have no reason to think otherwise. So yea, I believe they cared about the running of the organization. Please do not misinterpret my feelings that when meetings are under-represented, that I think all those not in attendance do not care. There are plenty of reasons not to attend the meetings. Families, finances, travel fatigue, etc. But I am smart enough to know a lot of those folks still care. I guess that is why it is our job to figure out how to make things better, and perhaps more accessible. Again, we have a place to work from. Finally, I indicated in my email that we would begin working with the Executive Secretary to use his authority under the Constitution to present proposals aimed at revamping the Regional structure. I honestly believe that for the purpose of effectively running business meetings, that there does need to be some work done here. However, I do not think this is a decision that should be left solely to the Exec Secretary or the Executive Council. While you did elect us, our roles in this matter should be formative. In the end, suggestions, movement, and final decisions should have the consultation of those directly effected. It would be irresponsible for us to assume to know what is in the best interest of every program. For some schools, perhaps being in a huge Region is what helps them justify funding. For others, perhaps a smaller Region is best. We need to find out. And in the meantime we need to do our job and figure out how to make meetings effectively run with what we have, and perhaps go even farther in increasing accessibility. In conclusion, I hope that people can begin to feel more comfortable in sharing their thoughts with the leadership, even if in private if understandably fearing the nature of computer mediated communication. But edebate and ceda-l serve valuable purposes too. They demand of leadership a clarity of purpose, a willingness to be open about our intentions, and the wisdom to know that in the most frustrating moments, there will be common ground from which we can start to do a better job. Sometimes we just need our friends to remind us! Humbly, chief Darren Elliott Director of Debate and Forensics—KCKCC CEDA President _______________________________________________ CEDA-L mailing list [email protected] http://www.ndtceda.com/mailman/listinfo/ceda-l
