[All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional WaterlooLight Rail Transit - January 18
Robert Milligan
mill at continuum.org
Tue Jan 11 22:22:59 EST 2011
Hi All,
Good news, I spoke to Susan K. and Tim Mollison. Both indicated that
those who prefer to orally ask questions of the speaker following his
speech will be able to do that. (I assume those who prefer to submit a
written question could still do so). I further suggested (to Tim) that
a time limit of, say 30 sec., be set for each initial question/comment
and that the chair enforce it. Also, I suggested that the question
period be closed off after the suggested 20 min. -- unless we agree at
the meeting to extend it.
Comments anybody?
And maybe some of us who are too "vitriolic" or accuse others of
seeing reality through a "fixed mind' lens should watch more Monty
Python movies.
Happy New Year to all.
Robert
PS: 1. Not being an either/or person myself -- which often gives rise
to conflict -- my preference is the Celtic both/and (I once wrote an
article on this). Specifically, both the unique knowledge of the
speaker and the unique knowledge of all in attendance is important --
and our constructive oral sharing (either with the speaker or
informally afterwards) will hopefully advance the knowledge of all.
2. I sent a copy of just this email to Tim Mollison as a
confirmation.
\
On 11-Jan-11, at 1:17 PM, Sandra Lachance wrote:
> Hi Susan,
> I was so looking forward to attending this meeting but now I
> am not so sure. The "fixed mind' emails seem to be trying to take
> control of the opportunity to be heard rather than maximizing the
> opportunity to listen.. I, like some other citizens, are not totally
> clear about the final plans nor have we decided upon the best course
> of actions . We are still seaking information from all sources. I
> was personally looking forward to other viewpoints, other
> clarification data around solutions, benefits & risks as well as
> meeting other people, etc.
> So, what phase is GREN in at this time. What is the shared
> goal of the meeting? Are we receiving & clarifying information
> received, adding personal information, solution advising, soliciting
> for advocating an action plan or what? What is this other group
> hoping to get out of this meeting from us?
> As you said GREN is a collaboration of interests. We are not
> equally intense about every topic but benefit from increasing
> awareness of others topics.This is definitely a current relebant
> topic.It might be good to think about breadth for the meeting at
> large & focus for a small group committee meeting. This meeting sets
> the tone for the new year.
> I agree the stronger the infighting the smaller the group.
> The less effective GREN. You might want to reflect on how challenges
> to the agenda should be addressed to the executive or to everyone at
> large. Too many emails cause reader burn out.
> Sandra
>
> A----- Original Message -----
> From: Susan Koswan
> To: 'gren'
> Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 9:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional
> WaterlooLight Rail Transit - January 18
>
> What we do with public transportation affects us all in terms of
> reducing air pollution, affecting climate change, what the Region
> looks like in 20, 30 years, etc. All GREN members do not work on
> the same issues which, to me, is the true nature of a network. GREN
> members work on their particular area of interest. GREN exists to
> share our experiences and support each other. Networks fall apart
> when the infighting begins. What’s that line from Pogo – I have seen
> the enemy and it is us – or something like that. Just because we
> disagree doesn’t mean we need to change the goals we set for
> ourselves.
>
> And Randy, you have brought the issue of expanding our network many
> times, but I have yet to see a plan from you or anyone who is
> willing to take this on.
>
> My 2 bits.
> Susan K
>
>
> From: randybmclean at rogers.com [mailto:randybmclean at rogers.com]
> Sent: January-11-11 9:02 AM
> To: 'Susan Koswan'; 'gren'
> Subject: RE: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo
> Light Rail Transit - January 18
>
> Susan:
>
> If GREN’s mission statement is truly what you say then why are we
> focusing on the LRT for KW and perhaps Cambridge. The Grand covers
> a meandering distance from north of Shelborne to Port Maitland.
> GREN has a long way to go before it can call itself a NETWORK.
>
> How can I, or anyone outside KW, expect to get involved or even see
> a connection between what GREN’s mission statement is “That means
> finding common ground, common goals for the improvement of the
> environment in the Grand River watershed” and the LRT for Kitchener/
> Waterloo?
>
> The Grand River watershed interacts with 11 counties and 1
> Aboriginal Nation area. In the interest of being fair why not
> investigate topics that are common to everyone in the watershed and
> not just a few urbanites?
>
> Randy
>
> Ps I understand where Robert is coming from.
>
> From: all-bounces at gren.ca [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of
> Susan Koswan
> Sent: January-11-11 8:06 AM
> To: 'gren'
> Subject: Re: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo
> Light Rail Transit - January 18
>
> Cool the vitriol, Robert and don’t jump to any conclusions,
>
> GREN’s “mission” is to work with like-minded groups and individuals
> – NETWORK, remember? That means finding common ground, common goals
> for the improvement of the environment in the Grand River watershed.
> We know how much work and research you have invested into the LRT
> and value the commitment you’ve made, but you know that the end
> product will not include all the cutting edge stuff. The Region will
> go with what has proven reliable and successful and there will be
> compromises.
>
> No one is stepping on your democratic toes here – I merely forwarded
> Tim’s suggestion for the agenda. Whether the questions are written
> or oral, there will be ample time for discussion. Our goal is to
> pick Jeff Casello’s brain for why he thinks an LRT is the best
> option, what he thinks we should do as a group to move this issue
> forward and to dispel any misinformation about the project. It is
> NOT to spend the time debating issues of democracy.
>
> Susan K
>
> From: Robert Milligan [mailto:mill at continuum.org]
> Sent: January-10-11 11:28 PM
> To: Susan Koswan
> Cc: 'gren'
> Subject: Re: [All] CHANGE OF VENUE GREN MEETING - Regional Waterloo
> Light Rail Transit - January 18
>
> I strongly disagree with the concept of written questions because it
> is a very undemocratic form of hunman interaction. New meeting-
> processes should never be introduced unless the whole group is
> consulted!
>
> Why is it being done? Does the professor feel insecure?
>
> Your efficiency rationale, "this will cut unnecessary time out of
> the structured QA session", takes human expression out the
> communication. It's something like a prayer to a high & mighty God
> who may or may not answer. Although with such a prayer you have a
> choice to speak it or silently communicate.
>
> I see no place for the displacement of spoken questions at any valid
> public meeting!
>
> On second thought, maybe all our meetings could use this approach in
> which we submit questions to John and he decides which ones will be
> answered and who he will permit to answer them. Certainly 30 minute
> meetings will save us all a lot of time.
>
> Our society needs more democracy in our meetings, not less!!!
>
> Robert
>
> PS: Are GRENERS aware that TriTAG -- until Mollison made some very
> impractical suggestions -- has been reluctant to attempt to improve
> the Region's RTI
> Plan? They said it was counter-productive.
>
>
> On 10-Jan-11, at 10:47 PM, Susan Koswan wrote:
>
>
> Hi GRENers,
>
> CHANGE OF VENUE FOR JAN. 18 GREN MEETING RE LRT
>
> When we contacted TriTAG (pro-LRT) to tell them about our meeting,
> they had already scheduled theirs for the same night. Since they
> could not change their location, we agreed to combine our meetings
> and join them at Whole-Lot-A-Gelata on King St located at 120 King
> St. S. Waterloo 519-884-5760 http://www.wholelotagelata.com/index.html
>
> Agenda as follows:
>
> 7:30-7:40 introduction: information about initiatives, how to sign
> up, speaker
> 7:40-8:10 presentation by Mr. J. Casello
> 8:10-8:30 written questions delivered by moderator (this will cut
> unnecessary time out of the structured QA session; I can print forms)
> 8:30-8:40 closing: recommended actions, information about recurring
> meetings for GREN and TriTAG
> 8:40-9:00 open discussion and opportunities to mingle
>
> Susan K
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