File spoon-archives/puptcrit.archive/puptcrit_1999/puptcrit.9906, message 152


Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 21:18:17 -0400
From: "David A. Syrotiak" <nmt-AT-sover.net>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Re: Dig-it-all Age


Couldn't have put it better myself.  Thank you, Rosemary.

David (the elder)

IcarusPup-AT-aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 6/19/99 0:55:16 AM EST, heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com writes:
>
> << Oh, and lest we forget, The PofA is, and I quote, "a national non-profit
>  organization devoted to the improvement of the art of puppetry".  It is not
>  a "professional" organization and therefore the fests should reach out to
>  all levels of attendees.  >>
>
> While I can't say I appreciate the sarcastic tone of your post, I would like
> to respond to some of your comments.
>
> First, these two things, a "national non-profit" and "professional
> organization" are not mutually exclusive.  Many organizations are both.
> Often, people misunderstand a non-profit and believe it can only be
> volunteers, etc.  This is not so.  Consider that many, many professional
> organizations, large and small are non-profits.
>
> I am somewhat bemused by the suggestion that if a festival doesn't have some
> workshops you want to see, you should "submit one yourself". The point is, I
> don't need workshops I could lead myself!
>
> You say yourself festivals should reach out to all levels of attendees.  I
> couldn't agree more.  No one is suggesting beginning workshops be eliminated.
>  Why should workshops which appeal more to professionals be seen as a threat?
>
>
> For the record, I never claimed workshops were not "up to par"!  I suggested
> sessions dealing with emerging technologies would be a worthwhile addition.
> I also believe more sessions given by people *outside* the PofA, such as
> business and marketing experts, would be extremely worthwhile - so deal with
> *that*.
>
> I am continually dismayed by the you-are-either-for-us-or-against-us attitude
> that seems to permeate the culture of the PofA.  If you dare make a
> suggestion, people respond defensively, you open yourself up for all sorts of
> criticism, and your loyalty and support of the organization is called into
> question.  Often, it feels like you are told you somehow have not earned the
> right to make a suggestion.  No one has to agree with all suggestions, but
> shouldn't new ideas be encouraged, rather than discouraged?  (I guess I
> should just learn to keep my mouth shut.)
>
> Additionally, if you suggest a new direction, you are accussed of being
> somehow unappreciative of all the work done by others.  Nothing could be
> further from the truth, where I am concerned.  I think highly of the PofA and
> the dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time to keep it
> going.  They are phenomenal in what they accomplish with the resources they
> have.  I have had marvelous experiences at festivals, and know from running
> my own events, what a tremendous lot of work they are.  In no way I am
> implying that somehow these good people got it "wrong".
>
> However, isn't there room in this forum for discourse?  Why isn't it okay to
> suggest new ways we might further the organization's mission?
>
> It seems to be a paradox that the organization's mission is to "improve" but
> so many members seem to want things to stay forever the same.  You can't have
> it both ways.  Improve implies change.  It doesn't, as so many seem to
> believe, imply "bad before".  It just means better and better all the time.
>
> Isn't that the whole point?
>
> Regards,
> Rosemary
> Icarus Puppet Company
>
>   --- Personal replies to: IcarusPup-AT-aol.com
>   --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
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  --- Personal replies to: "David A. Syrotiak" <nmt-AT-sover.net>
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu

   

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