I have attached a copy of the email request for all.
Feel free to take a look.
Here’s what the chronology of events looks like:
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The request was simply an email with subject: “membership list” and body: “Is this something you can provide?”
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This does not seem like a well formed request, however it is our duty as leadership to take any request of the membership seriously. Jim, therefore, responded promptly, and asked for the rationale behind the request.
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Coy responded that he wished to “socialize ideas”. The use of socialize as a transitive verb is either an awkward usage of English, or invokes the transitive verb definition of socialize: [with object] Make (someone) behave in a way that is acceptable to their society. Either way, this does not constitute a reasonable request, nor a clear rationale in my opinion.
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I responded that we have a tacit agreement to uphold member privacy. (to be clear tacit means - “understood or implied without being stated.”)
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Coy’s next email then invoked the bylaws.
Feel free to read.
On the record now, here is what I suggested when discussing this with leadership:
As far as a 2 year audit goes:
Provide access to all documents needed to show ethical and transparent operation of the corporation. Primarily, accounts, minutes, board meeting minutes, etc.
However, member names and emails should be redacted and replaced with a number. This prevents bias, and also protects member identities. If an accounting or financial error is found, it can be resolved at that point by the treasurer, and member – who would then determine whether to provide names and other details.
Myself and other leadership wish to proceed fairly. However, I also feel it would be irresponsible for me not to state that this request appears disingenuous and unclear.
I believe that Coy is frustrated with recent events at Hive13, and that this request is simply a muck-raking effort, and an attempt to gaslight both the leadership and the membership.
When one examines any singular issue, one must also look at the larger pattern. The pattern here is clear – Coy is at odds with hive13 after a series of disappointments, most notably votes to remove his safes, and then a vote to remove his plywood.
Finally, the allegations of dues in arrears and accounting fraud were NOT mentioned in his requests or conversation with leadership. Yet again, Coy is trying to validate a request ex-post-facto by “raising the stakes”.
Bylaws and accounts aside. This is manipulative behavior, and now shows a clear intent to deceive.
If indeed, Coy’s initial motivation was to audit accounts which were reasonably supsect, it was not stated. Therefore, this is a lie by omission. It is also a bad-faith request.
To ask for a membership list for mere correspondence and communication, but to then use it to incite allegations of fraud and dishonesty is a social manipulation.
Further, the cry of conspiracy, and the assertion that he is in fact the individual wronged is a classic case of gaslighting.
“Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or members of a group, hoping to make targets question their own memory, perception, and sanity. Using persistent denial, misdirection, contradiction, and lying, it attempts to destabilize the target and delegitimize the target’s belief.[1][2]”
Yes, that’s from Wikipedia – feel free to look it up.
Yes, I am clearly accusing Coy of social misbehavior and manipulation. Yes, I am escalating. I am also pointing out the circular logic and fallacy that needs to be made visible.
Now, I expect an impassioned response that further drags us away from real issues and incites yet more disorder. Feel free.
OR
Coy, if you are so displeased with Hive13, its leadership, and its members, then why do you want to continue your membership? Clearly you have not been getting your way here for a while on many matters.
Our meeting minutes are on the wiki. Our corporate documents are on the wiki. The finances are on the open finance site Ian made. Clearly, transparency is already a priority and something we strive for. We are also willing to release further information of any non-personal nature. I am not against fairness here.
I am simply stating what I see beyond the petty and small details of this distracting, embarrassing and distasteful argument. I see an overall pattern of deceitful and contemptible behavior which is hurtful to other members, and a complete waste of everyone’s time.
“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”
Once again, this is not about CNC, wood, classes, ideas, safes, or records. This is simply about a member continually asserting his power over others and, hence, disrupting our community of friends, and making a community of willing and generous people mistrust themselves and others. It is shameful.
Regretfully,
Lorin E. Parker
[H13LEAD] Re_ Membership list - sheepslinky@gmail.pdf (69.6 KB)
