Brian's World

Part One of a Three Part Series

Tonight was the RPI TV elections meeting, certainly an interesting meeting at that. I headed down around 8:20 from BARH, strolling into the room where our executive meeting was held at 8:28. Only Sean and I were there, thats ok I thought, everyone must be out running late. 20 minutes pass, everyone is still running late. Apparently there was to be no Exec meeting tonight, which would have been ok if I was told that. Yes, typically I can rely on Google Calendar to show me when there are meetings, and no, I didn’t receive an email with an agenda; but I didn’t find either of these facts compelling enough to convince me there wasn’t a meeting. And so the problems began.

I had been very worried about this meeting for quite some time, mainly because my plan was non-existent. At last years election I had a very strong idea where I was going. Sure, I had to nominate myself, but at least I knew I was doing news and why I was doing it. This year was trickier, I had narrowed down the list of positions I was interested in running for to 4, each with their own reasoning and logic. I failed to narrow that list down to one, because I placed high value on where everyone else wanted to run. I understand quite well that I should run where I want and ignore everyone else, but I also understand that doing something unexpected, especially from a person such as myself who is typically very predictable, changes much in the social dynamics.

As the elections progressed, I was quickly nominated for the position of ‘Station Manager’ someone seconded, I do not recall who. I failed to “accept” or “decline” the nomination, but the lack of speech was interpreted as an acceptance. I was voted in that position by a majority, I of course abstained, and the meeting went on. What does my new position entail? To the constitutional amendment.. submit productions for campus broadcast, maintain RPI TV’s media library, keep an archive of every production, and coordinate the care, storage, etc for all club equipment. In summary, I put DVDs in a DVD player, operate a book shelf, and make sure people put things back when they are done. This position operates under the VP of Operations. Essentially this position involves lots of doing, and not very much thinking at all. I like thinking, I like it a lot. I can do things when I have to, but I think that thinking about them sometimes is more fun. Sure, I’m the first person to serve in the position, but I’ll say its very uncomfortable.

I abstained when voting for the new constitution, I agree with some parts and disagree with others. The new station manager position works I think, but it doesn’t fit well into this overall scheme. As a whole, the “non important” positions of the club exist in a state of limbo, some exist as the old show based operations of the club, and some are shifted over to the new role based system. I assume people will argue over my use of the phrase “non important” and I would have no problem explaining this position to people, not only based on how the positions are defined but also as the positions are filled. Participating in this discussion in real life would not work well, I will likely have trouble with the English.

I guess I’m frustrated at climbing the ladder. I know that I am one of the least known officers of the club among non-exec members. I don’t direct or organize any productions besides senate meetings, I do not send mass communications to members, nor do I speak very regularly at meetings. I was never introduced at NRB or any other meeting, nor have I wanted to try extra hard to introduce myself to new members. I guess logically it makes sense, as News Manager [one of the lowest positions] I climbed the latter reasonable, and those who started higher than me climbed significantly higher.

I know I should be more positive with my outlook on this position, but its still not something I would be super proud to put on a business card. Maybe if we had a “station” and not just 2 dvd decks this might be a slightly more important position. I have to call to question the design of this position, could it have been designed to facilitate a fourth person feeling important by giving them duties but realistically those duties are moderately unimportant? I do wonder.

I will not call the elections fraudulent, nor would I say they were the best ever. But according to the letter of the constitution, that was a legitimate election so come January 1st I am not legitimately station manager. Since RPI TV lacks a station I will rename myself “Closet Manager”.

I’m also surprised at myself, I failed to see what was obviously brewing for a few weeks. Maybe with more notice I could have figured out a better plan but I clearly didn’t see what I should have, stupid me. People are people, and I should not try to credit them as anything else. I will hold out hope that somewhere people are honest and lack self interest.

For the record, I do not hate Mr. Emala, while he feels I “railed” on him for a paragraph in a previous blog I did no such thing, unless Mr. Emala feels he is solely defined by the symbols I choose to use.

Part 2 coming soon, but for now I shall head to bed. DSA test tomorrow, I’m worried.

You should be too.