jbriggs: The Shoe Drops

James Briggs (

jbriggs) wrote,
@ 2006-08-01 23:19:00

Current mood:

stoic

The Shoe Drops
The fallout from the ConDor staff who Ghosted Conzilla.

Dear Mr. Briggs,

After much consideration, I have decided that your services are no longer
required by ConDor. I thank you for the years you have worked on the
convention and hope that your future endeavors go well for you.

Sincerely,

Pearl Stickler
ConDor Chair
President of CAASM

(Post a new comment)

	cikevin 2006-08-02 06:27 am UTC (link)
	That's...remarkable. All because their people wanted to boost some food from the con suite? It's probably good that you're getting away from such people. :) (Reply to this)

	kevin_standlee 2006-08-02 01:30 pm UTC (link)
	You're better off without them. You were right and they were wrong, and if they don't believe that, then to heck with them. I wish them lots of ghosts in the future, since they obviously think it's okay for people to show up and use their convention resources without paying for them. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	thirdworld 2006-08-02 06:22 pm UTC (link)
	Seconded. Maybe we should organize some, like maybe a biker club or the like. Ok, so I'm just being pissy but I do hate politics and small injustices. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	debgeisler 2006-08-02 01:39 pm UTC (link)
	Their wounded pride over-ruled your honesty...at least in that venue. Elsewhere, as here, they will not be dealt with so kindly. You, we trust; them? Nope. You knew this would happen, of course, and predicted it a bit ago. But now that you're no long working for ConDor, you might have time to come to Boskone. :-) (Reply to this)(Thread)

	galtine1 2006-08-02 01:52 pm UTC (link)
	OOohh, another option!! Mardi Gras is also on the list. >:) I'm waiting to see what they do about me. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	thirdworld 2006-08-02 06:23 pm UTC (link)
	I'd suggest you be proactive. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	jbriggs 2006-08-02 02:05 pm UTC (link)
	and ConCave! d^; (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dinogrl 2006-08-02 07:39 pm UTC (link)
	Hmmm, sounds like something's convexing, er convecting. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	karl_lembke 2006-08-02 02:38 pm UTC (link)
	Just FWIW, I can't read the "ghosting" entry, but I got the gist of it from other comments here. I hadn't planned on attending ConDor for a few years, now that I'm out of the Loscon chairing business, but if I fail my saving throw again, I may have to ponder whether I want to add my support. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	jbriggs 2006-08-02 02:56 pm UTC (link)
	I've unlocked the other post. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	karl_lembke 2006-08-02 04:37 pm UTC (link)
	Thanx. (Reply to this)(Parent)

Stay Stoic Mister Briggs.

selinawoman
2006-08-02 03:07 pm UTC (link)

... And honest and good. Fandom, especially convention running fandom, needs more steadfast soldiers.

Being a gracious host was your favor to give, taking advantage of that kind of graciousness and *expecting* more more more, is just rather rude.

The entire convention reeked of graciousness!~

(Best Jimmy Durante voice) "Dat's Gratitude for ya! Hot cha cha!"

Remember kids, these comments are posted by an attender, no SMOFS were killed in the making of this comment!

(Reply to this)

	esprix 2006-08-02 05:22 pm UTC (link)
	So what on earth was their justification for not only the ghosting, but of firing you? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	jbriggs 2006-08-02 05:25 pm UTC (link)
	What justification? Its Anastasia being Anastasia. Who knows what her insane reasons are. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	esprix 2006-08-02 05:27 pm UTC (link)
	So people ghost under their con's name, they get roasted at the hiss and purr, and they have no reply to that? And then blame you and fire you because of it, without explanation? Yeah, that's beyond weak. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	buddykat 2006-08-02 05:34 pm UTC (link)
	they get roasted at the hiss and purr Actually, they didn't get roasted at the hiss and purr... they were the ones roasting the con. Their complaints were basically ignored by all the attendees at the hiss and purr, they weren't getting any sympathy or support. (Reply to this)(Parent)

jbriggs
2006-08-02 05:58 pm UTC (link)

To clarify:

Anastasia tried to arrange a Membership Swap between ConDor and Conzilla. Like thats gonna fly, because everyone who works ConDor gets a free membership anyway.

I offered a discounted membership to her and Pearl because "We aren't going to your convention unless we get concessions."

They asked three people to help run their party. One of those was seen in the registration area at 3:30pm, two were seen in the ConSuite between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Pearl (now chairman of ConDor and host of the party) was notified that there were people helping her party that were ghosting the convention. She said there was no issue with her, it was between Conzilla and the ghosts. The ghosts were asked to present their badges. The couldn't, so they were asked to leave.

Pearl and Anastasia complained at the Talk Back session that people were asked to leave their private room, and demanded an apology and a refund of the room charge ($139 plus plus).

I apologized for how the incident was handled but not for asking the ghosts to leave.

EVERYONE WHO SPOKE ON THIS ISSUE was critical of the ghosts. Including Alan Kellogg, whom I'd never met but I know his reputation, past ConDor staff, even current ConDor staff. Milt Stevens, co-chair of the 1984 Worldcon shouted, "Complaint Noted!" Which, if you know Milt, speaks volumes about what he though of the complaint.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

karl_lembke
2006-08-02 06:13 pm UTC (link)

Milt Stevens, co-chair of the 1984 Worldcon shouted, "Complaint Noted!" Which, if you know Milt, speaks volumes about what he though of the complaint.

Um..... yeah.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

esprix
2006-08-02 09:46 pm UTC (link)

If they were asked to leave convention space, then why on earth would they demand a refund of their hotel room? That makes no sense.

Pearl's run enough conventions that she should know better. Then again, with as many comp memberships as Condor gives away, and knowing how feeble their financial situation usually is, perhaps she truly hasn't learned after all this time. Pity, but no longer your concern.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

jbriggs
2006-08-02 09:55 pm UTC (link)

If they were asked to leave convention space, then why on earth would they demand a refund of their hotel room?

The ghosts were asked to leave the convention space, while in the party room. Anastasia (the renter of the room) asked for a refund because her "guests" were asked to leave her "private room," claiming the convention had no jurisdiction.

From the Westercon Bylaws:
1.3.3 Restriction of Memberships

Each Westercon committee shall have the right to limit the activities of its attendees, either individually or in groups, insofar as such activities endanger, physically or legally, other persons or property. Such limitations may include, but are not limited to, closing down parties, ejecting persons from the Westercon, or turning offenders over to other authorities. No refund of membership need be given in such circumstances. Each member, in purchasing his/her membership, agrees to abide by these bylaws.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	esprix 2006-08-02 09:57 pm UTC (link)
	Were the ghosts asked to leave the hotel entirely, or just convention space? I could see her being fussy if people were asked to leave a privately reserved hotel room if it wasn't designated con space (but not about ghosts being asked to stay out of space they didn't pay to utilize). (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	buddykat 2006-08-02 10:27 pm UTC (link)
	I suppose Jim could have shut down the party instead... that would have gone over real well with them! Anastasia's argument was that her party room was not "convention space", that it was a privately rented room. That she requested be on the party floor, so she could shockhorror HOST A PARTY at Westercon! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	jbriggs 2006-08-02 07:05 pm UTC (link)
	BTW, Anastasia's reward? She's now Vice Chair of ConDor. (and I find that quite amusing in the "be careful of what you wish for - you might get it" sense) d^; (Reply to this)(Parent)

bovil
2006-08-03 04:15 am UTC (link)

We'll be instituting a "no ghosts" policy for CC26 staff. If you're going to a con, don't ghost. If you do ghost, don't tell us about it. If you get caught ghosting, you've got CC26 materials on you and we hear back about it, you're in trouble.

As for Anastasia, she got a masquerade award from us that comes with a comp membership to CC26. If she tries to get more, she's not going to. Of course, CC doesn't feature parties, and we're a bit of a ways from San Diego, so I doubt there will be any official ConDor presence with her.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	sfrose 2006-08-02 06:10 pm UTC (link)
	It's always tough to get fired, even from volunteer jobs, but with their attitude, you are better off not dealing with the stress. As Deb says, now it'll be easier for you and galtine1 to come to Boskone and celebrate your birthday! (Reply to this)(Thread)

paradoox
2006-08-03 08:40 pm UTC (link)

And I bet there are bunch of people with transferable "free" memberships in Boskone who would transfer them to you and galtine1*.

P.S. Hang in there. You did the right thing(s).

*Boskone recently instituted a membership carryover policy for workers working enough hours. However, Boskone also has the concept of life memberships. So, the decision was made to allow life members who otherwise work enough hours to transfer their "free / carryover" membership to someone else who would not normally attending Boskone (in the hopes of getting them hooked).

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	thirdworld 2006-08-02 06:31 pm UTC (link)
	hugs for you, but I spit in their eye! (Reply to this)

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