The Epic, Pt. 60

The conference did not make any immediate reply to the messages sent on May 8 and May 11, 2009. With the 19th and the meeting proposed for that date fast approaching the Group began to wonder if the meeting was proceeding, or if the silence meant that it had been called off. On Friday, May 15 Brother G sent another message asking the status of the situation.

On Saturday night, May 16,2009, Elder Ramirez responded to Brother G with a voicemail. His message stated that he was trying to understand the latest email and that he assumed that we wanted him to completely disregard the first email, where we had “several issues.” He further stated that since we did not question the May 19th meeting he was assuming that we were fine with it. (As explained earlier, there is some allowance for confusion regarding which message Elder Ramirez was asked to ignore, but his claim that we had no questions about the May 19th meeting when he had received an entire message full of them was a bit hard to swallow.) The voicemail reiterated who was to be present at the May 19 meeting, when it would take place, and assured Brother G that there was no hidden agenda. It also included a new stipulation—that we should prepare a five-minute statement to introduce our main issues and concerns.

On May 17 Brother G and Elder Ramirez connected by phone, at which time Brother G clarified the confusion about the message he had asked Elder Ramirez to ignore. He also pointed out that the Group did have questions about the May 19 meeting, most notably why it should be necessary at all. Elder Ramirez didn’t provide answers to any of the questions we had posed, but he did positively state that if the Group did not participate in the meeting on the 19th we would not be permitted to appear before the executive committee. The phone call was followed up with an email from Elder Ramirez that night.

“Dear [Brother G],

“It was nice to talk to you and respond to some of your concerns. I am really hoping that you and the other representatives of the group will be able to attend the meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 4 pm at the Buccaneer House. During this meeting we will review process and final details in preparation for the meeting with the Executive Committee on May 28. Also, please be prepared to talk about the issue in question in five minutes or less. We will have two representatives from the executive committee joining us.

“As to the 'corrected' minutes, I am having a hard time understanding your version of it. I thank you and welcome some of the observations made on punctuation, and spelling of names. But to remove and add words and complete paragraphs I am not sure I am comfortable with that. I will continue to look into this and will give you a respond by Tuesday, during our meeting.

“Again, thank you for the opportunity to dialogue. Have a blessed day.

“Jorge A. Ramírez”

The Group was now faced with the necessity of attending a meeting we didn’t understand and saw no need for in order to prevent our right to appear before the executive committee from being wrenched out of our grasp. We became concerned that if we were to object to any conditions that might be laid down at the May 19 meeting for the executive committee appearance that that also might be used as an excuse to keep us from appearing. Given this possibility the Group decided to agree to anything the conference stipulated which did not compromise our mission.

Next: Stipulations

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