|
|
For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Last post 03-22-2007, 6:19 AM by Helene. 156 replies.
-
03-01-2007, 11:20 AM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
The following letter got sent out a couple of days ago to some people
who are members here at I-I. No, not everyone got them, because,
well, they just don't care what most of us think. It appears that you
need to be at a certain membership level in order to get this offer.
Don't get me wrong. I understand that they need to give
special perks to people who are significant contributors. But opinion
surveys? Really? Is it so important to restrict feedback from the
paying membership? I have long known that there was a basic
problem with I-I and their business plan. They've made the same
mistake that so many businesses (and politicians) have made, ignoring
their base. That's you and me, folks. Those of us who really don't
have any extra money who still pony up 10 or 15 bucks a month because
this is something we care deeply about. But nope, they don't want to
know what you think. Hand over the cash and shut the fuck up.
Okay,
so this is my survey. Please answer here. What is your
membership level, and did you or did you not get this survey?
I
have been struggling with sending a post I wrote from my heart about
how I-I is run, and struggling with canceling my membership. I'm
going to rewrite that and include it below in another post.
Oh, and “Member Delight?” Yeah, that phrase makes me want to
puke. Look at the state of the forums. Look at them laying off via
email the only person at all of I-I who ever gave a shit about
the rest of us, Nomali. And look at the fact that they said they
needed to do this for financial reasons, and then they turn around
and advertise for four new management positions.
This place doesn't need any more incompetent management, Ken!
It needs a bloody decently paid staff to run the bleeding thing!
And in case you're wondering,
this is my highest self, and she's pissed as hell.
Whether you agree with me or not, go take the survey and tell I-I
exactly what you think. I can log on to take it, and will do so. I
don't know if everyone can.
Liz
|
Dear Friends,
As part of the initiatives we
announced in mid-February, Integral Institute is launching its new
Member Delight commitment. Member Delight describes our
personal dedication to providing outstanding and delightful
interactions with our members. We have even set up a new
department at Integral Institute called Member Delight, which
reports directly to the CEO and acts as an advocate for member
needs, inquiries and comments. We believe that our Member
Delight commitment is at the heart of our Integral service ethic,
so we’re making it easier than ever to talk to us, add and
cancel services, make comments or tell us how to improve.
But
that’s not enough! We’re eager to know more about
improving our approach to the delivery of Integral content,
practices and community. So we need your help by
participating in our Member
Lifestyle survey.
Five survey participants will win
a one-hour group conference call with Ken Wilber and five will win
a free Integral
Life Practice Starter Kit. The selection will be made
March 15.
The survey is 19 questions and will be kept
totally confidential.
Please take a few moments to complete
this survey
so we can make changes to better serve you.
Warmest
regards, Huy Lam, Chief Development Officer
|
|
|
|
|
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 2:42 PM |
-
mmallett
-
-
-
Joined on 06-19-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 28
-
Points 440
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Hi Liz,
In response to your survey:
I'm a $20 a month member.
Yes, I received the survey.
I don't understand how any of the questions depict a "Lifestyle Survey" and "Member Delight" made me chuckle, in that they can't even update their "What's New" page on I-I with current offerings for Integral Naked...current listing 2-3 weeks old. Philosophy and business often require different skill sets, even though some may believe their discipline places them in a superior position to do either/or and both.
As to who did or did not receive the 'survey', it could be a result of random sampling. I'm certainly random.
Take care.
Michael
I had nothing but myself with which to create the world; Out of myself the world was made. E.J. Gold, 1978
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 2:58 PM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Thanks, Michael.
Could be random, though it's not likely, IMO. I'm a $15/month member, and of the four (so far) that I know about, the two who got it were 20 bucks or over.
And yes, the survey was pathetically geared toward what they want to hear. It would be, however, supremely ironic and delightful if I won the free ILP kit after taking the survey subversively.
Liz
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 4:29 PM |
-
timelody
-
-
-
Joined on 06-17-2006
-
Las Vegas, NV, USA, Earth
-
Posts 949
-
Points 17,605
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
I pay $35 bucks and I didn't get one -but I also had no problem simply clicking on that link and doing the survey without signing in . . . which is weird. I also didn't get the chance to finish it, so perhaps that has somethig to do with it . . at any rate, if it's only for higher paying members then I have been left out -so far. It's probably random sampling or a process of only sending it to so many people at a time. Of course, if we had some response from I-I staff about this, we wouldn't be here debating it now would we. I wonder how long it will take . . .. if ever . . . ? ![Smile [:)]](/Public/cs/emoticons/emotion-1.gif) ?
"With whom or with what are you in communion at this moment?" . . ."I?" he replied, almost mechanically. "Why not with anyone or anything." "You must be a marvel . . . if you are able to continue in that state for long." -Constantin Stanislavsky
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 5:17 PM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
It doesn't really matter, does it?
A random sample??? How clueless can an organization BE? Hierarchy existed on this forum, a natural one, to which everyone was invited. All they had to do was send the survey to, say, the top 200 or so posters on the forum. Or 500 or 50, or whatever. Random is stupid.
I was a moderator on this forum, and I didn't get the survey. It does not take a degree in marketing to know that they've completely missed the point, yet again.
Liz
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 5:41 PM |
-
IAMisHome
-
-
-
Joined on 07-27-2006
-
Montreal, Canada
-
Posts 262
-
Points 4,865
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Liz,
There is so few transparency than you may write each day, as often as you wish about what you like or dislike on this forum. And you have direct access to the team for your comments by email, by phone, by letters, even directly if you wish.
I'm not here for a long time but I remark the two polemic came from you. Curious. Are you volunteer to put the mess in the place?
Martine
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 6:02 PM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
That's right, Martine. You haven't been here for very long.
Who would you be more likely to listen to, someone with a few months' experience, or someone with a few years? I know what I'm talking about, and I have no need to prove it to you.
Direct access? Sure. I can complain and have someone tell me they are working on it. It's not quite the same thing as someone actually doing anything, is it now?
As for your last sentence, I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying. I'm not criticizing you. I don't even speak a second language. But can you honestly say that you understand all the nuances of this forum that have have unfolded over the past several years if you're not even very fluent in English, and you've been here such a short time? I don't think so.
Liz
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 6:26 PM |
-
livingegg
-
-
-
Joined on 11-25-2006
-
Denver, Colorado.
-
Posts 113
-
Points 2,420
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Liz,
I am a $20 member and I did get the survey via email.
Personally I would have liked to see an "open" part of the survey where I could talk about things that wern't specifically brought up in the questions - but alas most of the survey was clearly made to create simple percentages and scales.
I think I-I is relatively poor.
I think that I-I's Vision is many tiers ahead of their bank account.
I think its sad and unfortunate that in this world today, integral thinking does not sell. People are going to go to Whole Foods to buy food before they are going to spend their money on an organization that sells philosophical theories and intellectual maps. How then is the I-I going to support itself in the world? How is it going to actualize its vision? How is it going to pay its "employees"? If my $20/month is helping to keep I-I alive for now, then I am content with that. I am happy for the opportunity to contribute to a vision I believe in. I believe the seeds of world transformation lie in education (eg. Integral University). The achievements that I-I has already made are no small achievements, and they are not cheap. Poorly managed forums are such a small price to pay for what I-I is doing. I will continue to give them money and personally I expect nothing in return, and I don't mind being anonymous. I see I-I is still in its infancy - it needs our support right now.
Even I-I as an organization needs to make its way up the spiral before it meet its own expectations, and ours.
Greg T.
Something does not become real by talking ABOUT it, it becomes real by being it; only then does that possibility exist in physical reality. So live your life as a being of integrity; your words and actions as one.
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 7:10 PM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
It was a mistake to focus on the survey. Really that was just the last tiny straw. It's a symptom, is all.
Your post is reasoned and articulate. I could have written it myself a year or two ago. Unfortunately, it's wrong. I, too, gave them the benefit of the doubt over and over again. But I've been disappointed too many times to pretend anymore. I'm hoping for change, and anyone or organization can change if the motivation is right. I'm not attached to this all going badly in order to prove me right! If things really turn around and take off, I'll be thrilled.
But it isn't just the forums. Nomali, a person who gave up her entire life and moved to a different country to work at I-I (mostly for free), was laid off in an email. This is not working up the spiral. This is a symptom of a very troubled organization. Unless things do change, you and I are throwing our money away every month.
I know, I know. It sounds like sour grapes or my ego taking a spin around the block. I thought the same thing when I read about others who were disillusioned with I-I. But if I just go on pretending, then I'm allowing things to continue on as usual, and that would be wrong. Integral is too damned important for I-I to fail without anyone trying to raise a red flag.
Liz
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 7:31 PM |
-
IAMisHome
-
-
-
Joined on 07-27-2006
-
Montreal, Canada
-
Posts 262
-
Points 4,865
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
I'm with Integral Naked since about 2004. It's not so short Liz. Sorry if my poor English cause difficulties to well understand eachother. Please, tell me again if you don't understand what I try to say.
Your desire to be more involved in Integral Institute is good to hear. Lately, with an other organization, we talked about that, voluntaries being not accepted in organization needing them. Many reasons explain that. Managing voluntaries requires a lot of time. And the work imply a lot more of abilities and knowing than before. Imagine in integral thinking.
tamgoddess: ... Direct access? Sure. I can complain and have someone tell me they are working on it. It's not quite the same thing as someone actually doing anything, is it now?
Firstly, express your opinion is not necessarly a complaint. Secondly, answering a questionnary is even less complete than tell openly your comments. It's my french opinion. ![Smile [:)]](/Public/cs/emoticons/emotion-1.gif)
Martine
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 7:43 PM |
-
tamgoddess
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Posts 1,171
-
Points 21,550
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Thanks for the clarification, Martine. But I was specifically referring to the forums, so I was the one who was not clear at all!
I believe that the experience of those who have participated heavily in the forums is quite different than those who've been to seminars or who mostly joined IN/I-I for the content. My experience of the content is that it's excellent, and I said so on the survey.
However, responses to our repeated attempts at communication have been abysmal, regardless of who was in charge, or what the method of communication. This tells me that it's the organization that is deeply flawed, and not just me. Please respect that I speak from experience.
Liz
Upgrade to ISC! http://www.integralinstitute.org/public/static/multispirit.aspx http://pods.gaia.com/ii
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 8:17 PM |
-
adastra
-
-
-
Joined on 04-18-2006
-
Sacramento
-
Posts 1,413
-
Points 21,005
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
I do feel that sometimes stands have to be taken. Acting nice and pretending everything is OK is not going to help I-I to carry out its mission. I-I has limited resources, yes, and I want them to succeed - Liz and I, and others, have spent years trying in our various ways to help that happen - but driving good people away from the forums through mismanagement doesn't seem like a sound way to proceed, and making excuses for that doesn't seem very helpful either. Countless crises have been mishandled with the result that the overall quality of the forum has gone down and down.
I personally find a huge disparity between the great quality of the audio and video offerings here - which in my opinion is well worth the money - and the chronic mismanagement of the forums. If I-I is about to start up several new forums, I would hope that they would finally learn from the lessons of the past and avoid making the exact same mistakes yet again. Or, if they are not going to do that, I would rather see them close the forums and suggest that people use zaadz for their forum community fix. That would be a lot more honest than pretending to care about the forums (and possibly having themselves convinced), yet acting in a way that actively undermines them. That is inauthentic, and harmful to the integral unfolding - which surely is what we all care about, or how did we end up here?
C'mon, let's take care of the fundamentals. Don't you know that tiers are not enough?
spiral out, arthur
I am seeking meaningful work.
bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/
I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/
"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 9:49 PM |
-
timelody
-
-
-
Joined on 06-17-2006
-
Las Vegas, NV, USA, Earth
-
Posts 949
-
Points 17,605
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Hey guys,
Here's what I posted on the Letter from Nomali Blog-posted again here, in the meger hope that it might increase the chances of it being read:
"With whom or with what are you in communion at this moment?" . . ."I?" he replied, almost mechanically. "Why not with anyone or anything." "You must be a marvel . . . if you are able to continue in that state for long." -Constantin Stanislavsky
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 10:22 PM |
-
jikishin
-
-
-
Joined on 11-19-2006
-
Santa Fe
-
Posts 119
-
Points 2,070
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Hello Liz & co.,
And now, a word from a Sponsor ($35.). I received and responded to The survey last night. Today I got my Membership packet. Tonight, I'm reminded that dissent was once called the highest form of patriotism ( though maybe as a glimmer of green in an orange crowd ).
Stakes are always high. And never higher than when stakeholders are vividly aware of this. I get that there's enough real love in play here, on all sides of what is the object of "transparency", that change is imminent.
Yet change is always imminent, until it occurs. My first thought on reading the new department title, Member Delight, was of a time when, in a monastery, we had the "theme" of Humor for a ninety-day intensive training. For some it was the most depressing three months they'd undergone. My second thought was that what Nomali provided the forums with ( a quality?) is probably not subject to commodification in an impersonal, operational formalization of qualities, service "goals", or p.r. posture.
I'm going to wrap this up and take a look at what Elihu Root wrote on the merging of interests of labor and management.
kcd
'takes all kinds.
|
|
-
03-01-2007, 11:06 PM |
-
evansridge
-
-
-
Joined on 08-23-2006
-
-
Posts 40
-
Points 1,370
-
|
Re: For anyone who still wishes for transparency at I-I: they don't want you to see this
Well, I don't want anyone to eat a brick, or was it shit a chair? Anyway, not important ...
I find the energy on the forums really great, and I did not appreciate how important the forum experience was to certain members' lives. I'm happy to know about it, and I'd welcome someone bringing me up to speed on what can be done to improve the experience. The messages on the board are confusing in this respect, and I'm not sure whether the forums wants more intervention from II or less. In any case, I will be happy to implement whatever changes the forum participants want, as long as we can pull it off. Just let me know what you need.
As for Member Delight, it's unfortunate that members scoff at the notion, but nevertheless we'll continue to implement the commitment. Commitment would not stand for much if we didn't take it seriously in the face of criticism. I remember telling a Member Delight staff member this week that if he didn't take the commitment to our members having a truly delightful experience personally, that is, in a way that is a direct reflection of his own deeply-held personal service ethic, than he is in the wrong place. But I don't believe in talking too much about what we're doing differently, or what we will do; actions count, words less so. If you don't recognize something we've done as an improvement in your interactions with us, than whatever we did was irrelevant.
As for the member survey, thank you to those who have spent the time giving us the feedback we were seeking; it is hard to know what people want without asking, so I thought we'd start there. I apologize if it was not worded to some people's liking. After having been a volunteer CEO for 2 months, it would not be smart for me to assume that I know what our members are thinking. (Which is why I read the forums when I can.)
Robert MacNaughton heads up the Member Delight department. He can be reached at rmacnaughton@integralinstitute.org if you have any need that is not getting fulfilled. If he can't resolve it he has instructions to give people my personal cell phone number.
Warm loving regards,
Robb Smith Interim CEO
P.S. I hope this posts to the right place, I'm quite the novice on forums.
|
|
Page 1 of 11 (157 items)
1 ...
|
|