Ructions: Difference between revisions

'''ARTICLE LOCK:''' It's going to take me a little while to write this I think, so until that time, I have locked the article. Admins may edit it, but I didn't want to open it up to general editing until I've finished. To avoid too many people reading this until it's finished, I have not linked to this page from anywhere else, and I urge you not to either.

Leading up to the YSTV committee elections in 2004, there were 3 friends, all fairly new to YSTV, who were considering team leader or station director roles. They were [[Jen Ayerst]], [[James Flinders]] and [[Rowan de Pomerai]]. Rowan briefly thought about standing for Production Director, Studio Manager or Station Director. As Jen stood for [[Production Director]], Rowan went for [[Studio Manager]] and James for [[Station Director]]. Jen's production interests made this the logical position for her, and while Rowan considered SD, he decided against on the basis that (a) James wanted to run and wasn't so keen on Studio Manager, and (b) he could run for SD in his 3rd year if he desired.

All 3 were successfully elected to these posts. James unfortunately was in Canada for {{unsure|some time}} following the AGM, and so Rowan, as new Studio Manager, was left as acting SD. Not a lot of note happened during this time in YSTV itself, it was just business as usual. Generally YSTV was doing well, having increased its membership considerably thanks to the efforts of the [[Gang of Four]], and the recent [[YSTV Clean-Up]] which had made the place look better and brought the team together.

The first problems came due to the debate over the playout of [[URY]] in campus bars. Whilst out of the country, James had been in contact with Tim Bateson and [[Matt Fullerton]] of URY (Matt was not an active member of YSTV at this point) about proposed plans for URY to be broadcast in campus bars using [[Rediffusion]]. James had responded on behalf of YSTV stating that ''it would be unfair for URY to be allowed to broadcast in campus bars'', suggesting that it would cut off YSTV's main distribution medium.

The general feeling expressed by those who Richard emailed was that URY in bars would have to be carefully negotiated, but was not ''necessarily'' a point-blank no. However the key issue with regards to this article was James acting on behalf of a supposedly democratic society without proper consultation. Few would doubt he had good intentions, but many were angered about his methods.

James' next controversial move was to suggest the introduction of a 'YSTV Corporate Style'. He initially sent an email about this to some officers ({{unsure|the team leaders I think}}) saying:

It is important to note here that most would agree that James' intention was indeed to improve YSTV's image, however (within the knowledge of this article's author) every person who read this message thought it at worst insulting and at best misguided. It seemed to many to be obviously misaligned with the casual and team-oriented style of YSTV organisation and management.

James responded to the criticism about his handling of the URY in bars issue with a people email, which explained:

In responses to Rowan, James repeatedly stated that he saw his job first and foremost as upholding the constitution, and appeared to put this as almost a single priority, irrespective of other duties such as working with and speaking to other members. His perspective on the seriousness of certain issues was certainly out of line with Rowan's own; ''But if a decision needs to be taken, and the constitution says I have to take it, then I will. I'm the one who would go to prison if things go wrong.'' Rowan did not see how URY's audio being in campus bars would cause anyone to go to prison.

James was clearly (and understandably) upset by some of the criticism which was coming at him at this point. He felt that his job was to do more than ''just send e-mails and chair meetings'', however some other officers felt that essentially the Director job is indeed centred mainly around communication and people management rather than making the big decisions. This sentiment actually became a bit of a running joke in the coming years, with 2006/07 Station Director [[Matthew Tole]] being quoted as saying ''I have none of the power, but all of the responsbility''.

This may have been seen as over-the-top at other times in YSTV, however in the climate at that time, it was an effort to keep everyone happy, and seemed to help.

Following James' comments about the constitution being unclear on the decision making process (and the disagreement by some with his interpretatation was that he should make major decisions), Richard proposed an ammendment to the constitution to clarify matters. His intention appeared to be simply to avoid problems in the future (''my aim is to clarify the future not to try and rake over the past''), however it may have been seen by James and others as a direct response to the arguments taking place at the time. This was proposed and {{unsure|passed}}, as most agreed some clarification was needed in the constitution on this matter.

One suggestion James made was that meetings should be shorter. He suggested that some people had ''turned up to a meeting, been bored out of their skulls and have never done anything YSTV related again''. Whether this was true or not, it was almost certainly a valid comment that station meetings were dragging on at the time. However, suggestions such as stand-up meetings or a rigid 30 minute time limit were rejected by many as too strong a reaction. At a time when people were keen to make sure that important things were discussed with the membership, and concerns had been raised that James was not doing so, it was likely seen by some that James was trying to cut down on this. With hindsight, this was probably not the case, and as in other situations, James' intention was probably perfectly valid and innocent. Once again though, it appeared to some that he was trying to get his own way rather than discussing things with the membership.

This email did raise a recurring YSTV discussion about what gets discussed at station meetings and who they're for. Comments were made that they are for the running of the society, and that people only interested in producing programmes are welcome to do that without attending the meetings. This is an on-going issue which clearly has no "right answer".

At one point, a highly personal rumour appeared about James. I have no idea where it came from, nor the fine details of the rumour itself. It is therefore in no way appropriate at all to discuss it here except to say that it happened, and James sent a people email attacking the unnamed person/people who started it. Some saw this as a bad move as it simply highlighted the existence of the rumour, but James was understandably and justifiably upset. It is a shame that the rumour was brought to the fore, as it seemed that few people actually knew about it.