I’m a Snob
I just got home from the ADF Trillium Gathering (review to follow) and just checked my email.
Apparently the open “no bs” review I gave for Ecumenicon was Googled by some folks involved with Ecumenicon and was not taken very well. Thus I am called a snob, and like I pretend to know more than I do, and a few other stereotypes I didn’t understand. My blog was even linked to all of these people (I don’t think they know I was forwarded some of these emails from someone I met at Ecumenicon this year), which to be honest it was an open review so I’m not concerned about that. What does concern me is these issues are being discussed and I am be bashed in their inner circle, and only one person has the inclination to come to me about my concerns (to which I am thrilled and will respond to below). You can’t run an organization and ask for feedback, and then bash the people that don’t give you the feedback you wanted. Ask for “positive feedback only” if those are the results you want.
I didn’t bash anyone in the review, but I’m certainly going to point out the weak spots when I see them. That’s what constructive criticism is supposed to be about, or so I assumed.
Does this change whether or not I’d go to Ecumenicon next year? No. If I like the programming, I’ll most certainly go. Will I vote to sponsor the conference in the Grove next year? That will take some serious thought process on my part.
Now the teacher that responded with positive questions on how I could help with the programming of her class, that was really impressive, and probably the main thing that would definitely have me pay money to go back (unlike the bashing).
The only two main suggestions I would have for the Palmistry 101 classes are 1. Focus solely on one type of Palmistry (I was getting confused with the different types, Runic, I-Ching, etc), and 2. Add more about interpretation and maybe do a sample reading on one of the students and ask everyone else what their interpretations of that reading were. That would have been really helpful, and give the students a chance to glimpse into an actual reading.
And I do honestly feel the class did it’s job by opening my interest in Palmistry, and I’ll definitely be doing my own research. Perhaps I will even email them to compare notes and ask questions.
The saddest part about all of this, is all the work I did on their website, which didn’t even compare to the cost of the conference, but I did so as a donation because I wanted to support their cause. I’ll probably still lend a hand now and then, but my desire is certainly disappointed.
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3 Responses to “I’m a Snob”
April 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
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April 20th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Lady Tawodi -
Please send to me a copy of the offending text. I am a member of hte Trustee group, and also the Conference on-site liason. I would appreciate your input so that we can continue to grow and prosper. If there are others who are saying that you are a snob, and that you only give fault, send the list to me. I will get things straightened out. That I promise you.
I am not usually in the habit of having to apologize for my fellow congregation members, but allow me to apologize publicly for the rude and obnoxious attitudes that you have expressed. I will certainly not be the person to say you don’t know what you are talking about, since I see many ways that the conference could improve. It is very hard to get people to volunteer for anything.
I appreciate (even though I have not read yet) the review and the constructive criticism you have given us. If others of our organization cannot be appreciative of the work you have done, please feel free to forward to me all such work dirextly at: ecusec@hotmail.com.
Thank you,
Lawrence Obern
Trustee,
Nomadic Fellowship of the Gramarye,
Ecumenicon Fellowship,
April 21st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Having read the comments of a teacher here, and a teacher there, in various forms, and your own mail, I do not know how to express myself. My name is Charles Butler, and I stand behind my own words. If I find something critically examining Ecumenicon teachers, the first thing I do is take that criticism, and the background, directly to the teachers concerned. If there is logic involved there, Ecumenicon has a place to send concerns. I am sorry that you did not feel that a public blog was not to be read as blunt, but accurate criticism, and that I took it, apparently, out of context. Thank you for your concern.