POL versus Royal Bank Of Scotland

[Maria]

[dccairns]

[Dadaist]

[Maria]

[Cynthia]

[Dadaist]

[bellybabe]

Every time I read tnhis thread I getmore and more amazed by what I'm reading. Not one person who is complaining at the sponsorship has, as fafr as I can tell, responded to the point that they could have had a voice by joining the fundraising group when volunteers were asked for. With regard to a poll on the sponsorship, I repeat yet again: POL is more than this forum. How would a poll on the forum accurately represent the views of the user of Portobello Online? The answer has to be that it cannot. It can only represent the views of those who use the forum, and not the many people who use the site but aren't interested in taking part in the forum.

I also see a lot of personal criticism being bandied about. You don't like Marya's tone? Maybe she didn't like everyone else's - has she somehow forfeited her right to express herself? I don't think so. Reading through this thread, that is what I seem to hear - that the forum members can take whatever critical, insulting tone they like, but God forbid those criticised should dare to respond. Perhaps both Marya and Bob have run out of patience with being criticised by people who were unwilling to give up their time and energy to take part in that decision making process.

Bob has explained the situation with the accounts; he has also explained the situation with fundraising and our need for equipment. We struggled last year to publicise POL without adequate equipment; the team will struggle again this year. People who are not giving up time and energy, for no personal gain, may not understand POL's need for the equipment. If that sounds patronising,my apologies, but those of us trying to publicise the site know the struggles involved.

Every person here had a chance to have a say in this decision by joining the team. Not one of the people criticising this decision was willing to get involved. I think it's a bit much to carp at us and then expect us to respond with calmness and equanimity; we are volunteers who work pretty hard, and for little recognition on the whole. We are also human, and it's hard to remain patient with people criticising decisions they refused to be part of at the time.

I would remind those of you getting hacked off with this little impatient rant of mine, that my cards are on the table. I would not have chosen this sponsorship...but I culdn't give up any more of my time to take part in the decision process, just like the rest of you, and so I don't see how I have any right to criticise.

Oh, and it's nice to see some posts acknowledging what we do...they are important to us.

Bellybabe

[Bob Jefferson]

BB, I'm still really angry too with some of the comments that have been made but I'm starting to understand that it goes with the territory. I also think we need to have some perspective and remember that it's a handful of people who are making all the fuss.

To those of you who posted messages of support on behalf of the silent majority, my thanks too. I'm not a quitter by nature but at times the personal jibes are very difficult to take. I have a message for those of you who spoiled my weekend, but I would have to disable the profanity filter first.

As Dadaist appears to be calling a truce I'm happy to accept that in the spirit it is intended and file this thread away for posterity.

Next mods meeting should be lively!

[MrSpoon]

thread_importance := 0

[Dadaist]

[WW]

[Hawkeye]

[Maria]

You make several interesting points in your post Hawkeye that well deserve discussion (and lest my tone is misconstrued, I mean that sincerely!). For example, what indeed would happen to the site without Bob? However, it is unfortunate that there only seems to be a demand to form some sort of management committee for the website when a decision is taken which proves controversial with some users. When everything is ticking along nicely not many really want to get involved (can't say I blame them ).
The poor response to recent appeals for volunteers to take on various duties is illustrative of that fact. As in most walks of life, it tends to be the same group of folk who show willing each time. Many, I know, cannot spare the time and that's perfectly reasonable, but as one of those regular 'volunteers' (and I use that term loosely folks ) I know that Bob welcomes other views and fresh input. If there is a 'dictatorship' it's a mighty benign one!

[wangi]

[Brian McCrow]

[Dadaist]

[Porty]

[Dadaist]

[Maria]

[wangi]

[Porty]

[Maria]

[Porty]

[Maria]

[Porty]

[Dadaist]

[Maria]

[Maria]

[dccairns]

[wangi]

[Maria]

[Porty]

[Maria]

[Porty]

[Porty]