[sac-forum] Re: SAC 30 Year Anniversary Banquet

Rick,
For the past couple of days I have seriously thought of backing out of attending this event. Earlier today I expressed these thoughts to Jeff Hopkins, but he encouraged me to hang in there. However, I am completely turned off by what amounts to name calling, insinuations, and attacks on what should be received as potentially good suggestions that could still possibly be implemented since there is over two weeks left before the celebration. Could you please include me in the offer for a refund? It is still before midnight. If you cannot, then make my seat available to someone else. I will not be attending.
I do not understand all this. I see Jeff making constructive suggestions in a civil manner, but instead he gets attacked. Maybe some people aren't as timely as others would like, but they should still be listened to. They also just might have something valuable to say, which appears to be the case with respect to when the speaker will speak since you said you would check to see why he wanted to do so before dinner. I also get tired of the standard trump card thrown up "Why didn't you volunteer. Why don't you become an officer. Etc."
I know what you are experiencing regarding the apparent lack of appreciation for all your work in the club. I experienced the same thing when I was president of PAS for two years. More things were happening when I was president than before and after, and the newsletters for next few years after I left shows it. So while I understand your frustration, I'm afraid I cannot sympathize. It goes with the job, it seems to me. People may remember the bad things over the good things, but that is the way things are sometimes. I'm sure very few, if any, remember all the work I put into PAS.
I really admire Jeff for weathering all the attacks on him and still intending to go to the celebration, but I won't do it. 
Stan

Rick Tejera wrote:


Jeff,

Since I have handled this so poorly in your estimation, I'm making you a one
time offer. I will have your money cheerfully refunded to you and you may
make other plans for the evening. 
I am quite frankly tired of your 11th hour grousing at everything the club
does or tries to do. In the entire time I've known you, you have never
volunteered to contribute or expend any effort at any event or project. Yet
you always seem to have the things that were done wrong after the fact. 
I know you are deaf, but I asked several times since February for assistance
in planning this event. Hands went up, but beyond that there was no
assistance coming except from Jennifer. I invited members to attend the
board meeting (see the March issue, page 6) to come up with ideas. The only
people who showed up were the board members.  So I realized if this were
going to happen, it was going to up to me. I sorry that I have a full time
job, an 11 year old child with schoolwork & extra curricular activities and
a family. Maybe if I didn't have these responsibilities, I'd be able to
devote more time to this.

Oh, BTW the only questions you asked me at the last meeting was what's for
dinner and will there be an open bar. I told you you'd have a choice of Beef
or Chicken and there would be no bar. That was my decision. I choose not to
subject the club and it's officers to any of the attendant liability issues
concerning consumption of alcohol. I also believe that I've never needed a
drink to enjoy myself. 
Again, One time & one time only, A cheerful refund. This offer expires at
midnight.

Sorry if you don't like what I have to say, but I've had enough.

Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
President, Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx 
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jeff Hopkins
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 18:37
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: SAC 30 Year Anniversary Banquet

Hello Peter,
By open bar I mean one where people buy their own drinks. I would think that part of the catering service. Every banquet I ever went to had such. If there are no drinks are we to bring our own?
As for waiting too long, you have no idea. I sit in the meetings and because I am deaf I have no idea what is being said. It looked like things were being handled, but I guess not. I have asked questions at the last couple of meeting, but got few answers. I'm probably stupid for assuming people were doing all these things. It was just recently that I began to realize this "special" occasion is going to be just another meeting with some food. That's sad.
I'll be happy to head the committee for the 40th. BTW, who is heading the committee for this event and what are the committee members? 

Jeff

At 18:18 -0700 09/12/2007, Peter Argenziano wrote:
With regards to the latest discussion, I'll voice my opinion:
I am attending the SAC soiree to see fellow club members, hear a fascinating speaker and celebrate the club's longevity; the fact that a dinner buffet is being served is incidental and hardly worthy of being the evening's centerpiece activity. Having dinner at 5 pm at such a function seems way too early to me. I'm sure I'll have no problem paying attention to the speaker while anticipating dinner. ;-)
Personally, I don't need the club funding an open bar... if the Challenger Center even has a liquor license. A cocktail before dinner would be OK by me, but I'd happily pay for my own.
Jeff, you had some good ideas, but I have to wonder why you waited until practically the 11th hour to step forward. No doubt the club can count on you to volunteer as part of the planning committee for the 40th anniversary celebration. 

Peter

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