fruits of the exhibit

All seem quiet now! Nobody was responding on the “war-thread” and everyone seems busy with the additional topics in the group.

Later in the day, Charlotte called up an emergency meeting among officers and advisers. We all agreed to meet at Starbucks above the City Hall MRT. Everyone was there – except for Tonski who was not informed (because Tolitz failed to call him) about the meeting.

Glenn presided the meeting and started the discussion on the positive note. He announce that Consul Rosanna Villamor from the Philippine Embassy formally invited the team to conduct an exhibit at the Embassy’s Official Reception Area. The exhibit will run for a month and the audiences will be dignitaries and high ranking government officials of many countries. It will also be accessible to the Filipino public who wants to visit the embassy.

The news was very encouraging. Personally, I felt vindicated. This invitation confirmed that our work was not a waste, and neither did we put the Photonski name in bad light. Instead, we put the Photonski in the vocabulary of our government officials.

* * * * * *

There was just one problem: Glenn-Bong-Blenda (and others) are inclined to do this task as partnership of Photonski, and not as members of Photonski. Tolitz was surprised with the move, and was clearly disappointed because he knows that this will eventually split the group.

A heated argument follows.

Bong and Blenda were firm that they are leaving the group and don’t want to go back. They argued that they felt left alone during the preparation and toys the idea of conspiracy to put them into bad light if the exhibit fails. They were also slighted that the advisers did not act or police the thread before things get worse.

Tolitz readily dismiss the angle of conspiracy and argued that they were supportive of the exhibit - though admitted that they were half hearted at the start. Tolitz even explained that the three of us: Tonski-Tolitz-Jorge went out last Saturday just to find an entry for the exhibit. All he wanted was to keep the Photonski intact. He was selling the idea of reconciliation and forgiveness, and argued that the person whom they are offended is gone, hence no point of going out too. He also explained that he is not part of the yahoo group mail, hence he has no idea whom to moderate/police in the group.

It was difficult to reconcile two opposing views. When I sense that no one was willing to give way, I suggested a compromise. I asked Glenn-Bong-Blenda to reconsider their resignation and continue serving as officers until the end of their tenure. Then they can decide whether to remain with the group or not. This way, they will leave the group with a good note and not with ill feelings. In return, Tolitz will discipline any erring members and will talk to Francis about the irreparable damage he made. Photonski officers and advisers, upon consensus decision, will have a power to decide on matters such as activities, exhibition, parties, membership, and disciplinary actions.

Mickee brought out the previous suggestion of Tonski of moving the member to Photonski.org and retaining the non members to Photonski.com. This way, there will be a total revamp of Photonski membership thus eliminating the dreaded issue of “pioneers”. But we Tonski absent, we could not decide along this line.

Hence, we adopted the third option: Finish the term, disciplinary action, and powers to the officers.

That was a difficult negotiation.