PAM Ads

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

My take on this (now that some others have gotten to speak):

WHO MAKES DECISIONS
-------------------

I think the decisions on a new advertisement arrangement should be made in
exactly the same manner we are making other decisions, by running it
through the management committee for discussion and having the steering
committee vote on it.  This is a big change for the organization, as we
previously had not run ads for several years.  (This was even one of
Gomberg's points of contention igniting him to start PAM.)

But I also think that if any one person has the authority to allow/deny
this, it would be Mary, not me.  I would also think that once an
arrangement in place, the editor has the power on any details to be worked
out with the other party (Dave).  And I think also the editor would have
the power to add other similar ads if they wanted, because the policy is
in place. 

Consider the website's listing of commercial businesses.  When the first
one approached me, I e-mailed the committee and said "what do you guys
think?"  We came to an arrangement where we now have a "commercial" links
section.  Now when other places ask for listings, I don't bring it up
here.


OUR AGREEMENT WITH DAVE
-----------------------

I also add my voice to the others that we should honor the agreement with
Dave, and print one year worth of ads for PAM, i.e. a total of four.  No
sense in becoming what he accuses us of being.

I also agree, especially in light of Karen's note, that he is full of it
to consider the conference announcement an ad, or even to consider the
showcase announcement a "would-have-been" ad had it been printed.  In our
phone conversation, he couldn't even say it.

However, I wonder if the key to things may be talking him down off the
particular ledge he is on (or at least slapping him around a bit 'til he
comes to his senses). I beleive it is a good thing to maintain relations
between the AGA and PAM.  Karen, being an active participant in both, has
taken on part of this task, so it will be useful to hear how things went
this weekend.

I'm figuring we'll close this discussion around Tuesday night, so get your
posts in now!  Thank you thank you.

  - Erik

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com