By and large I had a good time at the Guildhall yesterday. It was
very well organised and there was a clear atmosphere of friendly co-
operation. For that I sincerely thank Heather, David and anyone else
who was involved in preparing for the day.
Most speakers had insightful and thought-provoking things to share.
Which is why it saddens me even more to write what follows. I wish to
stress this is meant constructively - to hopefully make future
gatherings better - and not as a personal attack on any one
participant.
I have begun to wonder if I will continue to take part when I see
some speakers are not 'playing fair'. I do not want to name names,
and it would have been inappropriate to voice this during the meeting
itself, but I have a few observations I cannot keep to myself:
[1] If there is a theme, then that is what one should talk about. It
shows a disregard for the very spirit of community not to. The theme
was decided BY the community FOR the community and it annoys those
who did work hard to prepare and think about the topic to see others
disregard this.
[2] Five minutes should mean five minutes. Some speaker exceeded 15
minutes and wandered wide off topic. Perhaps in future David and
Heather must be prepared to act as chairpersons and cut people short
if they go over long.
[3] Clearly one or two of the speakers were only interested in
hijacking the forum to evangelise. Not only is it a waste of
everyone's time preaching to the unconvertible, it is disrespectful
to so blatantly ignore the purpose of everyone's attendance.
[4] I think that to come completely unpractised to a meeting so as to
keep everyone waiting for you to begin a presentation is simply
unacceptable. It gives the impression that you do not take the
proceedings seriously or respect your listeners. There can be no
excuse when we all had months of forewarning.
Well I do not expect this to make me popular but I had to have my
say, regardless. Perhaps I was the only one who felt this, but I
suspect it is more a case that others are too polite to say it.
Despite the qualms voiced above I wish everyone here Sincerest
Blessings, Peace and Health.
Derek Wood