Re: [Origami] COC: Rules of conduct (RoC) and Centerfold.
Lest someone be frightened off from writing reports, the reason sworn statements were required in the incidents that I mentioned earlier was that we were considered witnesses. Mine was a defamation of character case between two non city employees and the other one was a person seeking damages for a fall down the stairs where there were no eye witnesses but the employee heard the fall take place. In both situations the only support we got from the city was tell the truth. It is unlikely that there will be a lot of reports in a convention setting. It’s just that they will be documented in case any further questions arise. Anyway, the types of incidents which may create problems are likely the type where there are consequences from both not writing reports and from writing reports. Having a code and taking it seriously offers greater protection for the organizers, victims, and the accused individuals in the rare situations someone is lying. And, as Anne said, if the report writer is untrustworthy and lies, eventually that usually is also revealed through the reports they write (or ignore writing). Also, as Anne speculated, eventually the library designated people who could write the reports although any staff member could and was expected to take information if a designated writer was not immediately available. Again, I am not a lawyer but am writing from the unique perspective of having lots of years of practical experience. I am more afraid of the consequences of not writing reports, even without the support of lawyers and an HR department. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad > On May 20, 2021, at 7:04 AM, Anne LaVin wrote: > > >> On Wed, May 19, 2021 at 3:24 PM Anne LaVin wrote: > >> >> I will be an ally. > > I was reminded, off-list, that even general community efforts towards CoCs > and related behavior can be somewhat fraught: in this example, I am only > potentially useful as an ally for someone in trouble *if I can be trusted*. I > like to think that I could be, but a complete stranger has no way of knowing > this, of course. And a Bad Actor could do exactly as I have done in order to > get close to someone vulnerable. People do suck, sometimes. > > Just goes to show that this stuff is Not Easy. And that in a convention/event > context, it's probable that the Con organizers would have to designate > "official" folks to be available to help, if only for their own liability. > > Still, it's the community as a whole that can work towards creating an > appropriate and welcoming culture, and that's still on all of *us*. > > Anne
Re: [Origami] Rules of conduct (RoC) and Centerfold.
Thank you, Anne, for all your offers and help in this discussion. My expertise is greatest in making actual reports of incidents, over 35 years worth. The library system I worked in served a resident population of 150,000, but anyone in the metropolitan area of 2.5-3 million could freely walk in and get a library card, including any out-of-state students residing at any of the campuses in the metropolitan area. I have legally testified about a report I wrote and I am aware of one other instance of someone having to give testimony about a report. I am very aware of the legal ramifications of writing a report. John has accepted my offer to help create a report form that should meet immediate requirements for this summer’s convention. I have offered to give training on using neutral language, focusing on actual events and behaviors rather than personal opinion of the people involved or the situation being described. I guarantee no one taking a report will like the form. I expect that it will be tweaked before the convention starts, and revised afterwards and may not look like anything I suggest. The library’s reporting form changed greatly over the years as has its Code of Conduct. With all that said, and without the backing of a legal department and HR office, I am not afraid to take incident reports at Centerfold, either officially or if someone is uncomfortable approaching one of the people on duty. My overall opinion of the situation is that it’s hard to have to change things you have been nurturing for 11 years because of changes in societal expectations. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad > On May 19, 2021, at 2:58 PM, Anne LaVin wrote: > > On Wed, May 19, 2021 at 10:04 AM Weinstein, Michael > wrote: > > Says me if we can’t have a gathering of adults for one weekend without the > > expectation that everyone can be civil to everyone, > > That ship has, clearly, already sailed, and years ago at that. We're fooling > ourselves if we think our community is just one big happy family all the time. > > Which is not to say that there aren't a lot of great people in origami, and > that for the most part, people treat each other quite well. In my own > personal experience, anyway, most people at origami conventions actually > treat each other *better* than out in the big old real world. But it's clear > that bad stuff happens in our little corner, too. > > > we just shouldn’t do it. My enthusiasm for Origami conventions has taken a > > BIG nosedive over this. > > This has rattled me, solidly, for the past week. I am horrified to have heard > from friends and colleagues about some of their experiences. But rather than > making me want to avoid the community or its events ... it makes me want to > help fix it. Hence this discussion. > > > There is one aspect of this whole RoC discussion that REALLY bothers me. > > Lots of folks have said they support RoC for lots of reasons. Doesn’t > > sound so bad, writing one of these things looks like the work of a couple > > hours. Enforcing it, another matter entirely. > > > > My employer has a Human Resources Department. Allegations of harassment, > > discrimination and other maladaptive behavior get sent there. Such > > allegations are handled by a professional staff that is well paid and > > trained to handle such situations in a professional manner. > > > > This is what the volunteers of Centerfold have been asked to do. And I > > will note that no where have I seen even one person volunteer to write said > > RoC and/or implement it at Centerfold. > > Actually, we've had one generous list member, with professional experience in > just such things, volunteer right here on the list. Perhaps you missed it? > Carol Martinson stepped up right at the start. > > > I for one don’t want to go anywhere near it. You can wind up in the middle > > of things you don’t want to be in the middle of. > > There was an excellent show on TV for a while called "Dirty Jobs," which > celebrated those who do the work that makes "civilized life possible for the > rest of us." I'd classify this as exactly that. No one is saying this is > especially easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't important to try. > > And here's a thing: have any of the organizations *asked for assistance*? I > haven't seen any organization ask their membership for help drafting such a > thing (not that I couldn't have missed such a call for volunteers, it's not > like I'm a member everywhere nor do I see everything) nor ask specifically > for this kind of volunteer help at conventions. (OrigamiUSA drafted their CoC > internally, I believe, and then added to it with some cyber-specific > guidel
Re: [Origami] CoC - abuse of power
Again, I am writing from many, many years of having to write what we called incident reports and then also being a front line manager having to enforce a CoC once one was developed. At the library where I worked, incidents that took place not on library property were not reportable as such, even if it took place in the city park across the street or in the library in the courthouse two blocks away. If an incident took place on our property grounds, and we had 10 branches and a bookmobile, an incident report could be filed. The library was not responsible for people’s behavior elsewhere. Having said that, if an incident took place on library property and it was mentioned another incident took place somewhere else, that could be included in the description of what happened as having been mentioned by one of the people reporting the situation in case legal (police, court, etc,) action resulted, but it did not determine the action the library itself could take. Convention organizers are not responsible for people’s actions elsewhere. So, this is my opinion based on personal experience and should not be taken as a legal pronouncement. If an incident occurs during a convention but offsite and/or “off hours”, such as within a individual’s hotel room or while out for dinner with a group of convention attendees, report it. Better safe than sorry for everybody, including the convention organizers. Abuse of power can be reported, but it has to take place during the convention’s period of responsibility. If nothing can be done the first time except maybe issue a warning, repeat offenses carry an increasing amount of weight. And remember, while rare since people’s personalities seldom change, but their behavior can change. I’ve seen individuals who have changed offensive behavior after having it pointed out to them, or who had to go through individualized harassment prevention training and no further problems happened. It doesn’t always work, but sometimes it does. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad > On May 18, 2021, at 3:21 PM, Laura R wrote: > While issues that have a sexual or racial connotations are the ones that > most people will think about in relation with a CoC, there are other issues, > e.g. abuse of power, that are important to consider for a CoC. > > However, if coming to an agreement on how to implement the rules related > sexual and racial misdonduct (how to behave, how to report and how to handle > a report), I wonder how much more difficult this discussion will become when > we discuss what abuse of power means (it is easier to label an abusive person > a jerk and that’s it.) > > Perhaps an abusive person does not behave as such during the whole meeting, > but he is enough of a psychopath to allienate and/or frighten others in a > different context. > > So, if I know that someone attending a convention exercised a sexual > misconduct or an abuse of power over me to the point to become traumatized > for months afterwards, but the act happened in a different environment (not > at the convention), should I make a report during the convention just because > he and I are there and I'm feeling unconfortable? Should I make the report > elsewhere (where?) because as someone said in another email we are a > “close-knit community” (are we?) Or the only cases to be considered will be > those that happen during the event? > > Laura Rozenberg
Re: [Origami] CoC—Being Too Specific in Language
Malachi, While that is worded differently than what the library had in the same category, to me it appears fine. Apparently the problem is my misunderstanding what we each meant by the words “exact” and “specific”. I apologize for misinterpreting your overall intent. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad > On May 17, 2021, at 1:02 PM, Malachi Brown wrote: > > > > On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 11:18 AM Carol Martinson via Origami > wrote: >> If I am interpreting what he is trying to say correctly, people need the >> specific words and actions named so they know what is and is not allowed. >> Acceptable behaviors vary widely from culture to culture so they may need >> specific actions listed to know what is expected. > > I believe you misunderstood what I was trying to say or I am misunderstanding > what you are trying to say. > > I think, at least for an event CoC, there is a balance that can be struck > between the very vague and open to interpretation "don't be a jerk" and the > overly specific enumeration of all words and actions that qualify as > harassment. > > I specifically referenced the OUSA CoC because it does enumerate several > types of discrimination that are specifically prohibited which gives the > person reading it an understanding of what is not acceptable. I don't think > specific words or actions need to be spelled out, but that it is useful to > know what areas are covered by the policy. > > So, maybe we can clarify this point. From the OUSA CoC, do you consider the > following to be overly specific? > > * offensive communication related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, > physical appearance, body size, race, religion, and age. > * use of sexist, racist, ableist, or any other discriminatory or exclusionary > language. > > thanks, > malachi
[Origami] CoC—Being Too Specific in Language
Before my day gets too busy to respond, I want to reply to a point made by Malachi about the need for specific acts and items to be named in a Code of Conduct. If I am interpreting what he is trying to say correctly, people need the specific words and actions named so they know what is and is not allowed. Acceptable behaviors vary widely from culture to culture so they may need specific actions listed to know what is expected. The original thread was getting too long so I have copied this from Malachi’s long statement in a string of other long statements. I hope it is enough to illustrate what I am replying to. *** The OUSA CoC (just used for convenience) says that harassment includes but is not limited to: * offensive communication related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, and age. * use of sexist, racist, ableist, or any other discriminatory or exclusionary language. From my point of view, this is like saying that "murder, stealing, and assault" are against the law. It doesn't go into details about what different specific words are offensive, but outlines broad areas of language that are not tolerated. However, I want to draw attention to one part of your statement that seems troublesome to me. I don't think it is a "problem" that the list will include "a lot of things that only a very small subset of people will care about." Part of the point of a CoC is to make it clear that people in what are often marginalized groups feel comfortable attending because they know what will and won't be tolerated The library I worked in had to translate many of their policies into Spanish, Hmong, Karen, and Somali since, while the metropolitan area as a whole was still primarily Caucasian, the core cities are not. The cultures named have widely different standards of acceptable behaviors. All our city attorneys would not approve a code of behavior for the library that named specific words and acts because you could not name them all. If a list is specific and something is left off, it can be legally argued that it is allowed because it wasn’t named. I took statements where that argument was made. It is also perfectly possible to harass someone without using any prohibited words or actions. Malachi’s desire to protect people by being specific is very admirable. He wants to protect everyone. I wish it could work that way and everything would be clearly understandable. No CoC in existence will satisfy everyone. If I have misinterpreted what Malachi was saying, or he feels unfairly singled out, I apologize and he may publicly correct me. Furthermore, I am not a lawyer nor am I familiar with the laws in Ohio. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad
[Origami] CoC — Volunteering Offer
As a now retired public librarian from a Midwestern fairly large urban library system, I have helped write Code of Conducts and have banned people from all the library facilities on my own authority for periods up to three months. Longer periods of banishment had to be determined by the library administration. Centerfold has not wanted to write a Code of Conduct, feeling it was unnecessary in a smaller venue. Unfortunately, now that the issue has been brought up, it has become necessary. People are now aware of the lack of a CoC and feel unsafe, or at least unsettled, that there is not one. Perceptions are important, and this won’t go away. A CoC does not mean that the convention would suddenly become safe. Incidents occur. What a CoC does, however, is make victims feel that their complaints will be taken seriously and that there will not be any retaliation for reporting an incident — and that help can be obtained and problems will be solved and worked on. It protects organizers from being accused of ignoring potential problems or discriminating against an individual. It also serves to tell attendees that there will be consequences for unacceptable behavior. In reply to the email that was sent by Monica, I volunteered to help write a CoC for Centerfold and a form to take reports of incidents. I said the easiest route with only two months before the convention would be to adopt OUSA’s CoC for this convention, and I assumed an Ohio specific CoC could be written later, but I have since learned that Ohio does not want to use OUSA’s CoC. That is fine. There are many examples to choose from and other people can do that. What I can uniquely provide is a standard reporting form, and if desired, some quick remedial training in using unbiased language in filling out such forms. If this convention does end up being held, a better form more adapted to the convention can be developed later. I can also make suggestions as to varying levels of consequences, but others will be more qualified to do that than me. I hope this offer is taken seriously. Other people have also made offers to help and mediate, but it seems to have reached a point people are not capable of actually hearing what is being said. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad
Re: [Origami] Old website project about listing what different creators allowed?
Geraldo, I tried sending this to you using your email address, but I was not successful. So, apologies to everyone, this is going to the whole List. I’ll also try sending it directly to you again. You are not imagining this project. It was an OrigamiUSA project headed by Robert Lang. I volunteered for this project as did a couple of other people. It was supposed to be a site teachers could use to see if origami creators gave permission to teach their models, hand out diagrams, and the like. Robert Lang then got too busy to set it up the way he wanted it set up and the project died. It was driven by how strict OrigamiUSA is about getting permission to teach models at their conventions. They are far, far more restrictive than U.S. copyright law. I’ll see if I still have any of the old emails. It might take a couple of days. If you want to take up the project, I will volunteer to help you. I love teaching and am considered a decent teacher, but since I am not a famous person in the origami world, often creators do not even respond to my requests for permission to teach. The last OrigamiUSA Convention I attended I could not get a response granting permission to teach models, so I did not teach. Carol Martinson Sent from my iPad > On Oct 26, 2020, at 6:34 PM, Gerardo @neorigami.com > wrote: > > > HI EVERYONE > > I'm almost 100% sure that years ago someone mentioned here a project > regarding a website were people could find what a particular creator allowed > in relation to his or her own models. And it was also mentioned that that > project was abandoned. > > Did that project really exist or did I dream it all? I tried to find those > messages using different keywords but to no avail. > > If someone can tell me more about it, but more importantly, if someone can > help me find the old messages I'd really appreciate it. You can send me a > private message to gerardo(a)neorigami.com if you prefer. > > > Thank you in advance : ) > > -- > Gerardo G. > gerardo(a).com > Knowledge and Curiosity in Origami: > six private classes online
Re: [Origami] Please help me choose one picture for a collective activity
I am going to be somewhat contrary to most of your other responses. My preference is Being Sumapaz. The fact that it appears to be freestanding and, to me, it appears to be representative of a few trees in the country, makes it tops, Also, the fact that the other two are framed causes me to notice the folds rather than the theme. Sent from my iPad > On Apr 6, 2020, at 4:19 PM, Mercedes Batista via Origami > wrote: > >> On Apr 6, 2020, at 5:04 AM, Mercedes Batista via Origami >> wrote: >> >> My first choice is Landscape. >> >> My second choice is “No Name" >> >> I like also like the “name" Sumapaz >> >> M >> >> >> >>> On Apr 5, 2020, at 6:28 PM, Gerardo @neorigami.com >>> wrote: >>> >>> Can you please help me choose one of the following three pictures of folds >>> for a photograph collective activity? I must only choose one and I really >>> can't make up my mind! >>> >>> "Landscape": >>> https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jcDG-G2uO8FYQuEizix-JxP2GfB10qx_bnF5In1L5CN8Ld4ElKCjCjvGiHOLK3u1g2dGQaZLWCkfmIeV1nyiKtMJ-j4d3C1ITyuZbTLTMYxai1Qu5Ijeyp-9dfb8GdEqPbx6V8ksIw=w2400 >>> >>> "Being Sumapaz": >>> https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ofBOyuxcgv8UKKFRoEeT09n1Iz5VUeJfZWjnpVZzU2ks0lTeBVRIEJIusnnsql1qW1u127IzhIHtd_y_Cp6Eo2CJkZaILfVr828BHvTPSL60-ICCQrW4Uf3TkcRdn9Lj5J2iSpGT7w=w2400 >>> >>> "No name": >>> https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9D-84MNCuC4yEBh8F50ia-8SySoPKc9slF-vFNFowsZcUzhrzvYRllIsiaUINxMyf4PZ1zhd2QEDnoBS_ab3Ivhunr2FUmO__UbdJRgbBTqnYOTF99lWyIsmT8kzX0FnBQIkZcftDA=w2400 >>> >>> Which one would you choose, but more importantly *why*? >>> >>> You can share your opinion through the list or privately with me by sending >>> me a message to gerardo(a)neorigami.com Please don't forget to also give a >>> reason as to why you choose that one over the other two. >>> >>> >>> Thank you : ) >>> >>> -- >>> Gerardo >>> gerardo(a)neorigami.com >> >
[Origami] Two Origami YouTube Sightings
I am pretty sure this first sighting hasn't been reported before. On the September 14, 2014 episode of I Kveld Med Ylvis, Vegard, Bard and Calle Hellevang-Larsen performed A Song For Swedish Viewers, during which they folded origami. Only one succeeded. The video has English subtitles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzwGiCMbzYM https://webmail2.state.mn.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=ES2L0YEzZkqeYOfZm7P9FRybB30Zq9EIEwDmvFF2j0bnHTM6k-wniY_SJFQ1-GIk24bcH_5nbSU.URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dWzwGiCMbzYM The second sighting I am surprised no one has reported, as far as I can tell. It is called Heineken Irish Legend Talent Search. In it Conor McGregor, a mixed martial arts fighter competes with two others, and his talent is origami. There is a tiny bit of origami in the beginning, but be sure to watch until the end for the payoff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnrAP26dzZc https://webmail2.state.mn.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=ES2L0YEzZkqeYOfZm7P9FRybB30Zq9EIEwDmvFF2j0bnHTM6k-wniY_SJFQ1-GIk24bcH_5nbSU.URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dSnrAP26dzZc Carol Martinson carol...@yahoo.com?subject=Re%3A%20Two%20YouTube%20Origami%20Sightings . __,_._,___
[Origami] Paperless Origami
This must have appeared before, but I searched and could not find it so I am sending it because it may be interesting to some. In the December 10, 2010, post on the blog craftstylish.com, Jeffery Rudell writes about creating non-sagging origami centerpieces for the holidays using fusible interfacing in an article called How To Make Paperless Origami.. The direct link is: www.craftstlish.com/item/18994/how-to-make-paperless-origami If that link does not work, just search for. paperless origami on Google and it comes up as one of the first couple results. Carol Martinson
[Origami] Origami Sighting - Modular Cathedral
A colleague from work spotted this and pointed it out to me. It is an extraordinary rendering of the Svyato-Spassky Cathedral in Minusinsk done in block origami using approximately 60,000 units. In the background sits a different origami cathedral. It can be found in BBC News in Piictures for October 15. The link will take you to the photographs for October 15, and it is the 7th photo right under the caption for the skydiver. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-19946456 Carol Martinson
