[H-GEN] Comparative (exec) performance attitude

[Benjamin Fowler]

Hello all,

On 16 Aug 2009, at 00:03, Arjen Lentz <arjen at lentz.com.au> wrote:

> Hi all
>
> I'm fairly fed up with this nonsense of comparative performance.
>
> - late AGM announcement? ohno, previous execs were much later
>   (the research involved to come up with that knowledge is stunning  
> in itself).
> - overall exec performance? nono, previous execs were much worse.
> - individual performance? it's ok, because others did less or were  
> worse.

I think I should also say how surprised by the pettiness and  
viciousness of some of the criticism being levelled at the Exec. It  
seems that offering to help out on the Exec paints a big fat bullseye  
on one's back. I think a little more gratitude is in order.

Don't forget that people here are donating their time. So if you  
absolutely must have your membership database right away, you can  
either wait for the volunteers to find the time, roll up your own  
sleeves, or pay somebody to do the work. In any case, complaining  
won't endear you to anybody.

Sure, there are always thing that can be done better. But for people  
who volunteer to help out in their spare time, I'd expect club members  
to be a little more supportive - and if they must criticise, to keep  
it constructive.

Likewise, positions of responsibility are not good places to have thin  
skins. When I was helping out as Talks Maintainer, I had issues with  
being repeatedly disrespected and undermined by a couple of club  
members who weren't even on the executive (Raymond Smith). I could've  
thrown a tantrum, I could've lost my temper (and possibly scored an  
assault charge). But I didn't. Certain situations call for decorum; if  
you really can't cope, I recommend doing what I did, and simply  
resign. Life's too short to waste your life dealing with ingrates and  
bullies.

So in summary, I hope that folks can find the time to show a little  
respect and courtesy for one another. We're working together to  
exchange knowledge of, and advocate for home Unix, and I think  
creating an abusive and adversarial atmosphere is offputting for  
newbies and old hands alike.

Peace, Ben.