I was the one who responded to Daniel’s private leadership message. I haven’t talked personally with Andrew yet. I’ve attached only my response here, not yours (or further messages) to respect your wish to deal with this more privately. I suggested working through existing and newly created personal problems first, in order to move forward.
I am not trying to deminish your reaction or feelings, no one can predict how others will take things. I am acknowledging that you feel this way and trying to move forward. You both will hopefully continue to be members in a community organization; trying to work through past problems so you can successfully coexist is the best course of long term action that I see. It is short-sighted not to at least attempt this.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking with just Andrew and me or another mediator, (and I definitely understand the hesitation to meet with someone you feel uncomfortable with), then I’d like to discuss it breifly at the next meeting that you are both able to attend, in a group setting. I realize this is not the solution you asked for, or are looking for, but I think this is an important step to take first before anything further.
Daniel,
I haven’t talked among leadership, so this is just coming from me.
While the conversation today on the list was annoying and petty, I don’t think this merits his removal, or even the consideration of his removal, as warden. I do definitely think it merit being addressed though; I was already going to talk to him.
Looking at the overall track record of Andrew’s service as woodshop warden, (continued progress on infrastructure, improvements for tools, classes, open workshop hours, helpful attitude towards/for the greater community, etc.), I honestly think this is a personal problem between you two. As such, I think the next step is to try to talk it out together, perhaps with a neutral mediator, to help you two come to an understanding and agreement. That way you two can move forward from the past disagreements and establish a better working relationship for the future. (We all know too well that you don’t have to be best friends with someone on a personal level to be able to have a successful working relationship.)
Now, I can help facilitate working an understanding out between you two, or we can pick someone else, but I really think this is the next sensible step to moving forward,
Elly