ISTE responded to me personally
Jun 20th, 2008 by Cathy Nelson
Yesterday there was a very large outcry amongst the bloggers about restrictions ISTE was last minute placing on attendees intent to video, ustream, or podcast entire sessions. Wes Fryer broke the story to me in my reader, and then i read it many times over after that. Miguel Ghulin suggested we all contact conference conveners Leslie Connery and/or Don Knezek from ISTE. Migeul actually wanted many to blog there dismay as well, though I just chose to email–since he did provide us contact info (thanks Miguel.) I gather from reading Miguel’s update at his blog the email I received is more or less copy/pasted, but it was personalized by Leslie (or a Leslie designee.)
(UPDATED 6-21-08 Noon EST–I am removing the rest of this as after reflection and comments left here and elsewhere. I do not feel it is conducive to positive conversation and leaves it open for misinterpretation. My intent with this post was to give thanks to ISTE for listening to members’concerns, particularly mine. If you need more info you can contact me via my contact form on the blog.)
Isn’t it wonderful that we received a response, even if it was a form email?
8->
Thanks for sharing your letter!
Miguel
Thanks for sticking up for those of us that cannot attend the conference this year! I was really looking forward to attending virtually, although I would rather be there is person!
Diana Kenney
#Miguel –> A “personalized” form email no less, surely written by a Leslie Connelly Designee. Wouldn’t you have like to have been given that assignment this afternoon?? “Here, send each and every one who squawked, this, but try to personalize it a bit. We need to garner back some human favor since we have just taken a rock-solid hit.” : )
@Diana, I am just pleased they have made their adjustment. I really don’t believe they responded to me. Actually I’m somewhat embarrassed at the tone of the email I sent. But I a pleased that they are rethinking their late , great decision. And it does make me feel as an ISTE member that I have a voice.
@Cathy conveyed my thoughts on this perfectly! I am glad that they stopped to consider ISTE’s members regarding the new media coverage policy. My concern is what would prompt them to announce this with a little over a week left to NECC. Presenters hadn’t agreed to the those terms when submitting proposals and accepting the opportunity to present. Surely they knew that this would be an issue which is why I think the notice of this policy was late. I understand the need for policies regarding the audio/video recordings of sessions and cannot understand why ISTE feels they were wrongly persecuted in various blogs, comments, podcasts, and tweets. Surely a progressive and innovating organization would have seen the backlash coming or did they think people would just roll over and oblige?
Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate people who are not happy about a situation and takes steps to do something about it like sending a letter of dissatisfaction. Too many times I hear people complain and complain but never willing to take a stand. I congratulate you for doing this!
Careful.
About 1 1/2 years ago I laid into ISTE and ALA all “edupunk style” regarding the student technology standards. 4 months later I had a complete “by chance” dinner at our state’s library conference with conference organizers (~10 people) and Don Knezek. I quietly introduced myself to Don and he instantly referred to my blogpost from months prior. We had a great conversation of many of the frustrations we find in our day-to-day jobs that conflict with what we believe.
Lesson #1: ISTE listens. They listen very hard.
) round these parts. It’s how quality membership organizations work. Thank the board members that are out there working for all of us to make a better organizations.
Lesson #2: Before we go all “rock star blogger” and “OMG I’m famous because ISTE recognized me”, realize that Don doesn’t have you or I in his aggregator. Neither do his communications people. I smell a bit of blue skunk odor