Virtual Orchid Society Meeting
Chairman: Lois Greer
Wednesday February 23, 2000
Present were:
Sharon_in_Indiana
Ed_in_SAT
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Marleneann
janetteh
Mary_Lou
Bobmonkey
Susan-from-Oregon
Jade
CJ-Orchidflowerchild
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Karen
Randy,_MI
ClareinLA
pecteilis_in_KY
Ellensmithown
jeanne23_from_oz
AHORCHID
Roberta in Southern California - NEW!
janetteh
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
Gail_(From_Boca_Raton)
foxtail2
speciesmark
Caroline,_Oregon
marylois
Gail:AOS SPRING TRUSTEES MEETING, Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa,Clearwater
FL, April 26-30 2000 Hosted by the Florida West Coast Orchid Society,Tampa
Orchid Club,and Tampa Bay Orchid Society. For further information, contact
J.
W. Clarkson
Has everyone read our CREDO - and, more importantly for this evening the APPLICATION of KEEPER OF THE CYBER PEACE?
Mary_Lou
Since I missed so many chats I was confused by some of the things I read
but I think the credo is great and the Keeper a great idea. Maybe someone
could enlighten me later.
marylois
Nothing to talk about, Mary Lou, except to get all on same 'song sheet'
about Keeper of the Peace...and to get consensus to ask for an Alternate
KPC.
METHOD OF APLICATION:
So that all may know exactly how OrchidSafari operates, a summary of our guideline is presented below:
By mutual consent, one member is designated "Keeper of the Cyber Peace", or KCP.
Control of OrchidSafari sessions is done only by the KCP. If someone says or does something out of line, every person offended can check "reply" on that item and send the phrase: "Review credo, please" to the offender in the open. That should end individual action on the matter. The KCP will see these messages and send a private message to the offender, giving them a button to the credo, and ask that the offender read and agree to comply with the credo before returning. In extreme cases, the KCP may give instructions on how to block the offender, but hopefully that won't be necessary. A half dozen "Review credo, please" messages should let any offender know something is wrong or has been said or taken in the wrong way. A brief apology should set everything right, or the offender may choose to leave. Hopefully, this approach will preclude personal animosity and recrimination. Basically, we need to show GROUP disapproval of a transgressor's action. It is not the sole responsibility of the KCP to say what is acceptable or not acceptable. The KCP may act only in response to the group conscience. We must also restrict how much finger pointing we do individually. With one brief expression of concern, we can make our point. After that one expression of need for correction, our designated KCP can handle the matter privately. Chances are, something just came out the wrong way and did not have malicious intent.
OrchidSafari is a fully democratic organization. If anyone, at any time, feels OrchidSafari guidelines should be changed, suggestions to that effect will be welcome. We are travelling new paths along the Internet. Each of us must contribute to the development of a cyber society in which we can all live in peace and serenity.
While there is one KPC (or perhaps two) to get to bottom of any difficulty - it is the right and duty of each and every one of us to post a "Review CREDO please", when felt warranted.
marylois
Now - discussion: One or two KCP - remembering one person can't be here
all the time.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
TWO!!!
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
KCP and vice KCP or CO-KCP?
Jade
I like the option of PRC ['Please Review Credo' -kb]. It should be enough
to remind the average OSer. Others may need more than one. That has occured
in the past.
Mary_Lou
Well we could have one KCP and maybe two alternates in case of travels,
sickness, computer failures or etc?
marylois
That's a thought, Mary Lou. John is our Keeper of the Cyber Peace now...could
you coordinate with two, or do you prefer one, John?
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
I think that is the idea. One person can't be here all the time and it is
a position that should be shared
jeanne23_from_oz
I agree with the credo entirely, but when you have a number of people on
a chat line there will always be the possiblity of difference of opinions
- I have seen it on other chat lines so many times- I think that you can
disagree without making an issue of the disagreement
Sharon_in_Indiana
Just as long as alternates have the same authority as the original. Two
KCP with the same responsibilities and authority might work better.
Ellensmithown
I think John should have final say on how many alternates he needs and when
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
I would like to try one now and maybe add another if it becomes necessary.
The KCP does more than tell people to read the credo. All "New Users"
get a message telling them to go to the User Preferences and add their name
and location so that we all know them. That has been done twice tonight
already.
CJ-Orchidflowerchild
Jeanne, that is the point of the credo and credo button. Something like:
"Please review credo" and a button to the credo is hardly making
an issue of it, especially if done in whispers.
marylois
Jeanne, that's a given...everyone has a right to his opinion...the KPC and
the "REVIEW" are only used when we forget the obvious social graces.
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
Ellen, I disagree; the group should choose, with appropriate input from
those then holding the post(s). One should be the "chief", tho,
IMO.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
We all have disagreements from time to time but it is HOW we disagree and
HOW we talk to others that can become a problem.
Mary_Lou
I agree with Jeanne. It is all right to have disagreements just not to be
disagreeable about them. We don't always have unanimity in ideas but that
is not in itself a bad thing. It can be used for the good of the community.
Just the very fact of stating the Credo sets it all up out front.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Earl, please explain further.
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
John, not in any way demeaning you or your character *BG*, the group should
have the final say in who has the title, IMO.
marylois
Open for volunteer. Names please.
Ellensmithown
I think you can disagree and still show respect for another opinion.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Ellen, absolutely!! That is how information gets spread quickly
jeanne23_from_oz
My point in question
Mary_Lou
Well, if John ever needs another alternate in an emergency, one can be selected
then! Sounds OK
marylois
Earl, John is KCP...any other or others would be "alternate(s)"
Ellensmithown
I think Earl was suggesting the group should pick the alternate, am I correct?
marylois
I'd like a volunteer now. John is often here only an hour.
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
But obviously it should be people who agree (within limits) on the implimentation
of the duties who would hold the post.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
I am usually not able to stay much more than 1 hour so a person who normally
comes on for the second hour is a good choice.
Mary_Lou
Mary Lois, that makes it even more sensible to have more than one alternate!
Jade
John, problem is, there is only one of you. I understand where Earl is coming
from. Different folks have different standards. All can be considered fair
but some seem less rigid than others.
jeanne23_from_oz
How about picking someone at random who is present if Lois is not available?
marylois
Let's try to get one alternate now...we can always add another. The purpose
of this evening is to get it going. Should both be absent, members can still
request someone "review" - we are all thinking people, and most
certainly that will almost always be the end of it.
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Jafe, so, like, if the KCP is too rigid send him/her PRC?
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Jade, I absolutely agree. However no one has yet used the Review Credo words
so this really is only academic until that time. Then I would send the button
but only after someone else has started the "ball" rolling
marylois
Jeanne, no, rightfully, I should not be KCP.
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
Or perhaps better, validate John's (or the comittee's, or the volunteer's.)
choice, if that is the way we decide to choose.
Karen
Jeanne, you mean pick someone 'each chat'? I don't think that would work
well. I'd rather have a pre-designated person-more 'set in stone'.
Mary_Lou
The problem with randomly picking someone one night is that the person needs
to have a bit of familiarity with the duties expected. Maybe not that many
of us would want to take that one suddenly.
marylois
Exactly. Volunteers??? Need at least two for group to have a choice.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Earl, [if the group wants to pick the alternate -kb] that is fine.
[Sorry about 'putting words' in John's mouth, but with all the replies back
and forth the meaning of his post got lost -kb]
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
I suggest the major question here is, will anyone volunteer for the post?
*G*
Sharon_in_Indiana
I agree with Karen. It should be a position not a guessing game of who's
going to be "it".
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Earl, yes that does seem to be the question!! LOL
marylois
No - this position is to remain same every chat. Come on now, we're fighting
the problem.
1. John IS KCP. 2. We agree we need one or two more. 3. We need a volunteer to even have one more.
janetteh
But should just one person be able to start the ball rolling. Think about
it....if just one person is offended by a statement and 30 others are ignoring
it, is this justification to send someone a warning?
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
This is a very good example of the old New England town meeting. I like
this very much!!
jeanne23_from_oz
Karen, what I meant was if Lois or John for instance could not be available
for the chat that someone should be volunteered to police it. It would make
everyone aware that it is not an easy task
Karen
*said in a small, timid voice* I will volunteer, just to get things going.
Please, group, feel free to jump in anytime.
CJ-Orchidflowerchild
I nominate Karen, as she is here most of the time, and has a level head.
Robert_in_Long_Beach,_MS
Bless you!
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
Janette, I agree to this also but someone has to make a decision and the
KCP should if the situation seems correct. However, he/she can be removed
if there is a problem.
Mary_Lou
Janette, well, it's very true that what upsets one person may not upset
the whole rest of the room. I saw that happen at a 'real' meeting here today.
It easily could happen in our chat if just one person got 'hot'. We are
all human and subject to much variation!!
Susan-from-Oregon
I second the nomination!
marylois
Wait a minute. This isn't a "jump on someone"...John or no one
else is taking someone to task. This is to make us think about what we just
said...and that can happen any time to anyone. Gone unchecked, however,
it can become the standard - that is what we are guarding against.
marylois
All those in not in favor of Karen, send me a private message now.
[The group unanimously elected Karen as second KCP-kb]
Mary_Lou
Karen, congratulations!
Ed_in_SAT
I see no reason why the KCP can't be reminded of our need for fun AND information
if a ruling seems too strict. In practice, knowing John and Karen, I can't
imagine a time when their shoe would pinch my corns.
Mary_Lou
Now I am sure with John and/or Karen in 'watch' that we can all have a lot
of fun, share information, disagree and then have more fun!! Right?
marylois
BTW, Karen has also volunteered to edit chats - she is doing open chats
now, and Kathy the topics! Thank you, Karen. And *BIG GRIN*, Ed is our mentor
- so! When John and Karen have a question, feel free to go to Ed.
Ellensmithown
I think Karen is a wonderful choice. At the same time I think this discussion
tonight should be sufficient to remind all that everyone should be respected
as well as show respect.
John_in_Arcadia,_CA
ELLEN, VERY WELL SAID!!!
Ed_in_SAT
Ours is a great family. So we have a bump in the road now and then. We still
like and respect each other. We're all the better for a good discussion.
Can we now have some orchid talk? Is a paph smear a muddy sepal? Is fir
bark like when you buy a mink for someone other than your wife? I mean deep
stuff like that.
Mary_Lou
If it was just a few of us here in the future we wouldn't even have been
talking about this. But lots of newcomers may wander in and not be so reasonable.
Its a really good thing to have a plan for the future. Lois has had plans
since the start which is what has made this site so successfull so far.
Congrats to Lois!!
CJ-Orchidflowerchild
Thanks to Karen, Fleur, Kathy, John, and Lois! These are our kind and wise
"officers," who keep this wonderful group running. *applause please*
And thanks to anyone who is behind any of the great things we do here. I
wouldn't want to leave anyone out.
marylois
Next month, Kathy Barrett is chair of our monthly meeting. Send you orchid
picture entries to her at orwell@ccnet.com - remember, not all can be used,
and some not used can be only because they don't fit into an obvious "theme"
for the night...so if you've submitted before, you can always submit a favorite
again.
Ellensmithown
I must leave soon. Reporting for Sunshine, I haven't been contacted by anyone
so nothing to report. Just a reminder you can get me at orchidbud@pb.net
Ed_in_SAT
Do we know the theme?
marylois
No - the theme doesn't become evident til pictures come in - the chair has
the choice. You might write Kathy and see if she has an idea of the direction...and
remember, we can do only 5-6 photos in time allotted.
Earl_in_Vacaville,_CA
So - any more new business, or can we adjourn to open chat?
janetteh
Do you still just want pictures of the whole plant?
marylois
The plant for certain - a close up of a flower if possible.
marylois
OK, We have had the Sunshine report. Is Barbara Tague here? [no Barbara
-kb] Barb has sent me the entire treasury so I'll have the money to send
for the pins. Next call for donations (dues) depends on pin sales.
And if there are no announcements from the floor, or new business. Meeting
is adjourned.
Sharon_in_Indiana
Can't remember but do we know when our pins will be ready?
marylois
The samples were promised in mid-march...sent followup email today. Pins
would be 3-4 weeks after receipt of sample and making order.
[There was no Plant Judging at this meeting]
--END