Re: How can we have a successful national conference | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Grace Kim (graceschemataworkshop.com) | |
Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 14:30:24 -0700 (PDT) |
I'm writing as a former employee of the Bricklayer's Union (not an actual mason, but I ran their university outreach programs for a couple of years) as well as general advocate of unionized labor...and a current member of the CohoUS board. This is a challenging situation. One that I grappled with since I was first alerted to the situation. I, too, was struck with the ethical question of "do I cross the picket line?" I have heard strong arguments for both sides. I even stayed at a hotel in San Fran earlier this year with a similar boycott situation (same hotel owner, and I wasn't aware of the boycott issue until I was about to walk out the front door for a meeting - they were only there for a few hours during my entire stay. They were boycotting many hotels in San Fran and I was told they did their rounds). However, as a board member, I ultimately have to wear a hat of fiduciary responsibility to the Association. The Association is a non-profit entity that operates on a modest budget (without a lot of cushion I might add). With the challenging economic times we've seen the past couple years, we have endeavored to do more with less (I hope you will agree). While I typically hate to compromise my values, the reality of this situation is that holding firm to our values on the boycott could result in a major financial setback for the Association (and depending on the level of conference attendance this year, dare I say financial demise? Ok, my fellow board members would probably say that is too strong a statement...but I say it to convey the potential gravity of the suggestions to change venues at all costs.) We have attempted to engage with the union to find alternative venues for the conference, but these attempts have unfortunately fallen into the category of too little/too late - meaning, the proposed venues would cost the Association considerably more to host our event (not to mention the huge penalty we would have to pay the current hotel for breaking our contract) and equally as important, the change would also result in a higher cost for the conference attendees. We recognize that attending the conference is a significant expense for many attendees...we certainly don't want to increase that cost. What I will say is that we have learned from this current situation and it will inform us in our contract negotiations for successive conferences. Rather than focus on the negative aspects of the boycott, I'd like to draw your attention to the aspects that excite me about my attendance at the national conference: Presentations by national affordable housing experts. Keynote from architect and author of "Pocket Neighborhoods", Ross Chapin. Attendance by DC experts in community development, funding, and fair housing laws. Opportunity to engage in advocacy at federal or learn how to at the local level. Meeting with old cohousing friends from around the world...and making new friends. Sharing my knowledge of common house design with anyone who wants to learn more (I hope to have books for sale at the book store). I hope you will join us to learn, share, and celebrate in DC. grace h kim aia architect & cofounder grace [at] schemataworkshop.com schemata workshop inc. 206.285.1589 1720 12th ave #3 seattle wa 98122 www.schemataworkshop.com blog what's what in our world
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