Any idea why Robert's Rules Of Order were created, other than to drive those of us attending the meeting utterly insane?
And on a related note, why do people insist on following them as if they are The Penultimate Commandments handed down to The Great Administropoles by Moses himself?
Last I checked, God's last name wasn't Roberts ... the dude's God, what the hell does he need a last name for?
"How're you doing? I'm Gabriel, your new Messenger angel."
"Hey, what's up guy. My name's Jehovah. Jehovah Roberts."
Just doesn't quite work, does it?
Although I've got to admit, it would be pretty funky if ancient scriptures were to be recovered stating that God's actual name was something as innocuous as Mervin Watley. Then again, it would take away a fair bit of the mystique surrounding the religion, and let's face it, mystique and fear are really the only drawing power religion has anymore.
I mean, who's afraid of a dude named Merv, anyway? ***
In the meantime, I'm stuck listening to the proud Chair of [SomeRandomCommittee] prattle on about the proper process in which to conduct a meeting where very huge important decisions - with [Library's] ultimate success or peril at stake - will be made regarding whether procedures for roving reference should be revisited.
Are you there, Merv? It's me, G. Forget the lifeline; throw these people a life.
(*** with apologies - and sympathies - to any of the Merv Watley's out there.)
6 comments:
I'm sure the rules are meant to keep people like you from voicing your opinion every time something doesn't go according to your narrow frame of reference.
You're kidding, right?
My opinions on the topic of the meeting are usually right in line ... because frankly I don't care about half the stuff discussed in the meeting ... most of it doesn't affect me directly, so what do I care what the decision is?
I just want these things to get done efficiently, that's all, rather than spending three hours deciding something on which a decision can be made in one.
So, if the desire for efficiency so that our workers can be more productive with their time (read: actually get something done) equals a narrow frame of reference, then yeah, I guess I've got one. Boo-f**king-hoo, at least this kid actually wants to see some action in the place, as opposed to the endless stream of repetitive talk.
I take it you're a Librarian (note the capital L) ... making a decision by what some guy with a pen said is the "right" process must be more important to you than making the exact same decision via a quicker process, which would give your people a few extra hours to actually get around to lifting a finger.
But you're a capital L, right? Lifting a finger isn't a part of your job description, as you see it, right? I'm guessing you're one of those who sits at the refdesk waiting for patrons to approach you, rather than getting up and walking around to actively help them.
Who's kidding who, now? I used the word "actively". And getting your fat ass out of the chair to actually do your job just sounds like something far too difficult for your inactive, established-process-adhereing "Gateway To The Information" self.
I don't get you, anon. If the 'established' isn't working, why are people like you so afraid to try something new? You know, something that will allow us to be proactive for the betterment of our services?
But wanting to explore a new way of doing things is apparantly akin to a narrow frame of reference, according to what you just said. Which I guess means adhering to "the way it's always been done" means one has an open mind.
Sure thing, Caps.
Take a look in the mirror, sweet pea, and get ready to deal with the change, because coming up the ranks it's all kids like me who just want to make things happen, who want to improve services by actually enacting new ideas as opposed to talking about ideas. Your day is done, babe.
And if you don't like it, leave it, because people like me are going to outlive people like you in this gig. Watch and learn.
Rules, guidelines, policies, etc., are enacted and applied to provide a standard of order to the workplace and within any profession.
If this is how you react in meetings, then you have proven my posting correct.
Hi LB,
I see your poignant and astute witticisms have hit the mark ... hard.
In my experience, rules provide a minimum standard of action. Rules are not meant to take the place of imagination and initiative. We accept, indeed, expect that rules which no longer address their prescribed circumstance be amended or withdrawn.
If rules were the be-all/end-all to the decision-making process, there would be no need to have committee meetings, etc. Any decision would already be dictated by the ‘rule’. To me, that would suggest an infallibility of rules and their makers. The Church doesn’t even assume that, any longer.
If rules dictated all action on the part of the individual, individual action would cease to exist. That would make things very dull, and very dull does not make this librarian very happy.
Hi Anonymous! Looks like you forgot the Prozac today, huh?
Your original point:
I'm sure the rules are meant to keep people like you from voicing your opinion every time something doesn't go according to your narrow frame of reference.
You proving that point:
If this is how you react in meetings, then you have proven my posting correct.
My original point:
I just want these things to get done efficiently, that's all, rather than spending three hours deciding something on which a decision can be made in one.
Read the post again (ALL of it) to see if you can pick out anywhere I suggest I've actually said any of this in a meeting. Certainly not in the manner I say it here - personal thoughts and workplace behaviour are two different things, you know.
But I guess you don't know, because a smart librarian like you surely wouldn't have written it otherwise.
So how exactly does my reply prove your original point? Please, tell me, I'd like to know, as would everyone else reading this.
Otherwise, bugger off, I've got better things to do than reply to your inanities ... like lifting a finger and getting some work done. Try it sometime, you'd be amazed at the results.
I just laughed so hard I think a little pee dribbled out.
You guys are NUTS!
Rock&Roll Dude & Dudette!
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