tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post6920833132422952670..comments2023-11-05T10:29:23.264+00:00Comments on Silkworms Ink: Poetry Society EGM CommentarySilkworms Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-18064874461321228052011-07-27T19:54:52.503+01:002011-07-27T19:54:52.503+01:00Carver Governance works well for the membership or...Carver Governance works well for the membership organisation I'm employed by - www.carvergovernance.com - described as 'enables the board to focus on the larger issues, to delegate with clarity, to control management's job without meddling, to rigorously evaluate the accomplishment of the organization; to truly lead its organisation.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-36763560258078277772011-07-27T17:15:03.656+01:002011-07-27T17:15:03.656+01:00I can feel a poem coming on.....I can feel a poem coming on.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-69126350752874534252011-07-25T15:53:05.189+01:002011-07-25T15:53:05.189+01:00Katy:
The Board: But you weren't there, ther...Katy: <br /><br />The Board: But you weren't there, there are reasons why we had to do what might have appeared biassed to you.<br /><br />Katy: What reasons?<br /><br />The Board: We can't say. But you have no right to speculate.<br /><br />Katy: I won't speculate if you tell me what actually happened.<br /><br />The Board: No.<br /><br />Katy: Because the truth makes you look just as bad as everyone's speculations?<br /><br />The Board: Stop being mean, we're resigning. BROADSHEEETS... TELL THE POETS TO STOP BEING MEEEEAAAAN TO US... THEY KEEP BEING MEEEEEAAAAN!<br /><br />Broadsheets: Bloody poets. They all have sex with their sisters don't they? I watched that film about Byron once.<br /><br />Katy: So... are you going to answer the reasonable question I asked?<br /><br />Broadsheets and Board: OH MY GOD SHE'S HYSTERICAL.Silkwormsinkhttp://www.silkwormsink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-58145779790337353232011-07-25T11:15:01.255+01:002011-07-25T11:15:01.255+01:00In my experience poets aren't such great commu...In my experience poets aren't such great communicators - that is, no better than anybody else. And I think everyone at the Poetry society is underpaid and hardworking, not just the editor. <br /><br />I have no personal experience of either the editor or the director - I know one not at all, and the other only to nod hello to - but a 'solution' to a 'dysfunctional relationship' which gives one party exactly what they want, and undermines the other publicly, has a tinge of perhaps a hint of bias in it? At the least it doesn't seem an equitable 'solution'. This for me is critical and has to be taken into consideration in the discussions we're told are going on around whether the director might return to post.Ms Baroquehttp://baroqueinhackney.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-76619443127527515092011-07-24T12:28:01.976+01:002011-07-24T12:28:01.976+01:00Dear Phil,
Thanks for your information. I'll t...Dear Phil,<br />Thanks for your information. I'll try the info first. I don't do facebook because I'm afraid I'd spend my life there, but once I've been able to make the nomination, I'll find ways to communicate widely. <br />All best, Leahleah fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06251595480972330134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-15425260448166671522011-07-24T09:52:53.298+01:002011-07-24T09:52:53.298+01:00Hi Leah,
It certainly seemed at the meeting as th...Hi Leah,<br /><br />It certainly seemed at the meeting as though that was our only opportunity to nominate people for the interim board (ie. filling in until September).<br /><br />With regards to the nomination process leading up to September's AGM, I would recommend starting with info@poetrysociety.org.uk or 020 7420 9880.<br /><br />I might also suggest that you find some way between now and September's AGM of publicising your nomination and giving reasons for their suitability - on a blog or website or facebook page or a series of flashmobs, etc.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />PhilSilkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-62988194022630047942011-07-23T22:53:26.273+01:002011-07-23T22:53:26.273+01:00Dear Phil,
Thanks for your reply. I'd just lik...Dear Phil,<br />Thanks for your reply. I'd just like to know who to get in touch with in order to make a nomination. Leahleah fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06251595480972330134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-72512560240486997792011-07-23T21:21:49.793+01:002011-07-23T21:21:49.793+01:00Totally agree with everything you've said Leah...Totally agree with everything you've said Leah. If I had been part of that particular board however, I would have found it difficult to resolve my disagreement with certain choices that had been made with the fact that being a board member is effectively a subscription to the values and decisions of the majority of that team.<br /><br />You are certainly on the money in suggesting that it's time to get back to the business of making things beautiful.Silkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-49547374921914617932011-07-23T20:30:04.279+01:002011-07-23T20:30:04.279+01:00Dear Phil,
I do believe that making a decision w...Dear Phil,<br /> I do believe that making a decision while sidelining the director on the grounds that she's 'overtired'? sick in the head? and then telling her to take time off to rest up would drive any director around the bend. Whatever differences there were between her and the editor should have been worked out between them, with perhaps a friend of both facillitating if the two of them wanted that. Both those women are highly intelligent and articulate, and I'm sure they could have worked it out between them without such interference.Somebody on that board lacked common sense. <br /> I think it does matter who was pulling the strings there and who got the lawyer. Sometimes when someone seems authoritative the others hang back out of politeness. <br /> Nevertheless, blowing it all up with a hostile agenda for a big meeting was also insensitive and foolish. We are poets, not warriors or even politicians. We are people who are wonderful at communicating. Why don't we do what we do best - make things beautiful.<br />Peace and love,<br />Leahleah fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06251595480972330134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-89288807319374975212011-07-23T18:34:12.186+01:002011-07-23T18:34:12.186+01:00Hi Leah,
1. I did spot a few (4-5) of the Vice Pr...Hi Leah,<br /><br />1. I did spot a few (4-5) of the Vice Presidents and the Honorary Members in the crowd, but their capacity seemed wholly observational at the meeting.<br /><br />2. The 'differences' were not spelled out much further than a supposed personality clash at the meeting. You are quite right to question this - no tangible altercation has been cited, nor has any suggestion of blame been placed on either party. All that has been alluded to is that these two women did not get on with each other and that this had entered the public forum. Members of the floor did indeed suggest a link to the potential reduced hours, realignment of management, tenure and ability to work from home of the editor of the PR... but this was never cited as the reason for this clash.<br /><br />3. Again, a question that was never answered. It was certainly the feeling I got that the Board stood as one. They knew what mistakes had been made and they knew what rocks would be thrown at them, but they stood as one and did not disclose who in particular had made certain decisions. In all honesty, I respect this, as it shows that all board-members feel accountable for the actions of the body as a whole.<br /><br />4. It is the Board's decision who gets to be a trustee in interim before the AGM. They will take on board suggestions from members. At the AGM in September however there is a vote between the standing nominees. Members have until then to nominate and campaign.<br /><br />Hope this helps,<br /><br />Phil BrownSilkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-42666558942837825482011-07-23T16:20:07.141+01:002011-07-23T16:20:07.141+01:001) Here are the people not mentioned in the report...1) Here are the people not mentioned in the report but on the Poetry Society website:<br />Vice Presidents: Roger McGough, Hugo Williams, Sean O'Brien, Michael Longley, Ian McMillan, Benjamin Zephaniah, Don Paterson, Simon Armitage, Anne Stevenson, Carol Ann Duffy<br />Trustees: Laura Bamford (Acting Chair), Emma Bravo, Duke Dobing, Alan Jenkins, Anne Jenkins, Wendy Jones, Barry Kernon, John Richmond, Jacqui Rowe, Jacob Sam-La Rose, John Simmons<br />Honorary Members: Paul Muldoon, Lord Gavron, Seamus Heaney, Andrew Motion, Les Murray, Dr Alastair Niven, Norman Willis, Fleur Adcock, Joan Bakewell<br />2) You didn't spell out the supposed differences between the Editor and the Director. Surely not the underpaid and hardworking editor's asking for a 3-day week?<br />3) Who suggested and who appointed the lawyers?<br />4) How does one get to be a trustee now?<br />Thanks for your excellent report.<br />Leah Fritzleah fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06251595480972330134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-71745392568696889902011-07-23T14:53:32.804+01:002011-07-23T14:53:32.804+01:00Hi Christine,
I would suggest that the high quali...Hi Christine,<br /><br />I would suggest that the high quality of the Poetry Society's output was down to the diligence and high levels of skill from the employees and not down to the Board. I have worked in the office at Betterton street a few times and it is always very clear what a superb workforce full of conscientious and talented people they have there. We can't lose sight too of the fact that Fiona Sampson is an excellent editor and has continued to make Poetry Review an outstanding publication that members of the Poetry Society are glad to be subscribed too.<br /><br />I think it would also be fair to say that the governance of the society probably has been good on some fronts, but the Board was not prepared, equipped or in any way savvy enough to deal with HR disputes in a measured way, nor were they in fit shape to handle an internet-based community's natural curiosity.Silkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-7400811793808673582011-07-23T14:48:36.086+01:002011-07-23T14:48:36.086+01:00You raise an excellent point Eva. At the meeting, ...You raise an excellent point Eva. At the meeting, we were provided with a list of the board with brief biographical notes on each. I would be happy to type these out and post them if you feel people might benefit from this resource.Silkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-77450532648558596582011-07-23T14:39:48.075+01:002011-07-23T14:39:48.075+01:00Thanks for a great summary Phil; I've also blo...Thanks for a great summary Phil; I've also blogged on the EGM at http://poetryneverpays.blogspot.com - and I'll add a link to yours. I'm quite a new member of the Society and I thought it must be really well run because of the quality of its output. Very disillusioning to realise that there has been such a lot of trouble. I don't envy the new board their task but will be keen to support them in it.Christine Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-39332736005474520672011-07-23T14:07:52.021+01:002011-07-23T14:07:52.021+01:00As per names of board members, comments here promp...As per names of board members, comments here prompt me to repeat here what I was just now writing elsewhere in a blog that already states as truth the Board's contention, subtlely backed up Guardian article that problem is between two named people. <br /><br />The blog says two “women” and, yes, everyone's bought the story of a ‘cat-fight” between them which is a complete deflection from taking responsibility for example of 24,000 expenditure. <br /><br />But I wanted to emphasise here: since Sampson and Palmer are named by all why is that the board members whose behvaiour is so questionable according to Ranford’s statement aren't named. They enjoy the privilege of anonymity but Sampson and Palmer do not? And this doesn’t stink to high heaven to anyone else?! Are people too scared? <br /><br />We're meant to base our assessment on matters according to those now proven to have been economical with the truth? But this is exactly why pays PR people, faciliators and lawyers 24,000. Job done I'd say.Eva Salzmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17352235455502746924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-76029273509053526522011-07-23T13:46:49.095+01:002011-07-23T13:46:49.095+01:00No Jackie, thank you for pointing out such a glari...No Jackie, thank you for pointing out such a glaring omission, I shall add these in now.Silkworms Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13706328678162855459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-42614616608699879012011-07-23T13:44:52.556+01:002011-07-23T13:44:52.556+01:00Are the names of our Board members, our Trustees, ...Are the names of our Board members, our Trustees, also a secret?Jackie Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019334388297619096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654311949479256844.post-79417877176386296722011-07-23T08:10:30.024+01:002011-07-23T08:10:30.024+01:00Thank you for this excellent account, Phil. I was...Thank you for this excellent account, Phil. I was unable to be present at the EGM so I am particiularly glad to get your report. Penelope.Penelope Shuttlenoreply@blogger.com