PUTNEY — My heartfelt thanks go to the Putney Food Co-op board members for their calm presence as they sat through yet another tedious meeting. They have my respect for what seems like a difficult job.
I want to apologize for the actions of some in the group who continue to treat the bylaws review process as a conflict situation: holding the group hostage with their views and not really paying attention to what is said at these meetings.
Mainly, I hear the board's desire to revise the bylaws in accordance with the wishes of the members. I do not understand why it is that some people think it is so important to rehash old material from past meetings or about any decisions that were made by the volunteer board to use a template for the bylaws or to seek help from a consultant.
That was the past; we are in the present. What good does it do? Let's move forward!
I also do not understand why we need to spend a half an hour discussing the merits of comparing B to A versus A to B, when we are all agreed we want to get to C.
Sadly, we did not make progress at the last public meeting. We got to the same section of the bylaws that we covered at the last meeting. If that is the way each meeting is going to be, then please excuse me. I have other work to do.
I believe we need to all come to realize that the board is taking notes. To make efficient use of our time, we must all agree on the following:
1. That we are working on a new revision of the bylaws.
2. To cut the chatter and to refrain from personal agenda or axe grinding.
3. To follow along and really listen to what people say, rather than just what we are thinking we need to say.
4. That we come to these meetings to respectfully work on a common document that embodies our shared values.
5. That we agree to a section time limit (say, five minutes) so we can effectively get through each section with input from each of us.
6. Not to repeatedly, meeting after meeting, bring up stuff that is not relevant to the bylaw item.
Now, some of these points might be achieved just in the style of moderation, but honestly - if our goal is to actually go over the entire bylaws, then we need to moderate ourselves better.
I realize that we all process at different speeds, but please - let's agree to pick up where we left off and not start at the beginning again. We have all had ample time to express our fears and frustrations by now.
So I hope to see you all Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. sharp, ready to work! Please bring your copy of the bylaws.