February LAN date conflict with GUGS convention

[brialzebub]

Hi guys,

Due to my involvement with GUGS, I would like to point out that the QM have apparently double-booked the Food Factory for the February LAN weekend, which also happens to be the Conflagration ( www.conflagration.org.uk ) weekend: 21st - 22nd February 2009. I'm the current secretary of GUGS but haven't had any involvement with the organisation of conflagration, it's room bookings or discussions with either the QMU or Pause in relation to this matter. It may well be that both events could co-exist, especially if the convention was quiet - but like I say, I personally havent discussed or heard of anyone in GUGS discussing this with the Pause organisers. I remember either last year or the year before when Pause/Conflagration happened together that at the de-brief for the convention, the then-GUGS committee decided that it had gone smoothly but would have been better if they'd had the other half of the food factory occupied by Pause. I dont know what the current state of play is.

The potential problem is the issue of space in the Food Factory, really. Since I've had no personal involvement in the organisation of this, I just thought I'd bring this up as a bit of a heads-up.

I'm also posting something similar on the gugs forums.

Cheers.

[GigaFuzz]

I can't speak for the GUGS people, but the same thing happened last year, with Pause in its usual place, and GUGS using the rest of the Food Factory. We certainly had no issue with it, and the two groups seemed to co-exist quite happily. If GUGS want the place to themselves, we might be able to work something out.

The QM dun fucked up again?

Edit: RE: What Sid says below: I'd actually forgotten the whole debacle from last year. It was indeed quite amusing.

[Sid]

This exact same thing happened last year, except GUGS hadn't actually booked the Food Factory (they just lied to Pause that they had). They e-mailed me very matter-of-factly to tell me that there "might still be room for some LAN party to happen". It was actually quite amusing. Despite this, I decided to be nice and offer GUGS use of the areas of the Food Factory which we were not using.

Given my previous experience with GUGS and Conflagration, my recommendation to the Pause committee would be to treat this as suspicious and contact the QMU to find out the exact situation - last year I contacted them to find out that GUGS had been trying to be quite underhand and sneaky about the whole affair and had not been given permission to kick us out of the room. If the QM genuinely have double-booked the room, that is quite unfortunate.

Given that our booking for the Food Factory has been in since the start of the year, I would recommend that the Pause committee offer GUGS a similar deal as last year - i.e. offer them the entire QM other than the area which we always use. Unless, of course, we're feeling flexible over the dates of our LAN and it's no real hassle for us to change? Or perhaps GUGS could alter the date of their Conflagration event?

[saladin]

I'll make a thread in the Committee section for proper discussion. For now, I'll just say that I personally don't think that we should be moved out of our pre-booked section, even if there is a double-booking. We're always there, and we booked months ago.

[Fyndir]

Troll smash puny interlopers?

[brialzebub]

Hey, I've no idea about what has happened regarding bookings in the past, or whether who has been sneaky or not. Plus, Other People - enough of the other-geeky-club-hate ok? My point is that www.conflagration.org.uk has had those dates up since september, and apparently the GUGS president has an email from the QM from that date confirming the booking. It just looks like an unfortunate double-booking situation. As per the QM's usual whim.

What I can say is that it would probably be very difficult for GUGS to change dates since it has been advertised to various people/places already.

Sid, I'd be interested to know who exactly you dealt with in GUGS last year? It's really not acceptable to use that kind of language or "negotiation tactic". I can only apologise on behalf of GUGS for any perceived deception. I can assure you that this year there will be less sneakiness - starting with the fact that this thread exists! :) Of course it will be best to check out what the QM has to say on the matter regarding this years annual clusterf*ck. I think what will happen is that one of the two societies will have booked via the general manager and the other will have booked with the general office. And never the twain shall meet... just a guess.

Yeah so the QM seem to have fucked up again, the email we got from Mr McConachie back in September said he'd booked the Food Factory for us for both days. To date there hasn't been any discussion between GUGS and Pause that I'm aware of, partially as we'd got the booking sorted early this year and didn't expect the date conflict again.

Lastly, if there is a possibility of Pause moving their february date, I dont think this should be dismissed out of hand. I know that there are a few Pause members who are also GUGS members (myself included) that would like the option of attending both events. I would appreciate it if someone on the pause committee forum would pm me with any decision or thoughts they deem appropriate to share, and I will pass them on to the GUGS committee. I hope that something can be worked out. Perhaps a meeting between a couple of people from each committee, for discussion? Very early in January (the sooner the better)?

Merry Christmas, y'all! :D

[TK-Maximus]

While it was a particularly shitty move on behalf of Gugs last year (Who were last years President, Sec and Conflagration Convenor Brian? Some names might jog memories.), this years Gugs commitee is a different commitee, so it's a little harsh to tar them completely with the debacle from last year. Having said that, with last years debacle in mind, Pause are obviously going to be somewhat sceptical here.

One thing does spring to mind: Which one of us actually have the room booked? If memory serves, there is an actual book that the bookings get written into, so only one group will actually be down to have the room.

Lewis is President this year, and has long been a member of Gugs, so I'm sure friendly discussions can take place. :P

[brialzebub]

Lewis is President this year, and has long been a member of Gugs, so I'm sure friendly discussions can take place. :P

*Looks over membership list* - not this year. :) Im sure that's just an oversight. Geez yer money, Lewis!

In response to your question regarding committee positions, I think there were 'issues' with the organisation of that particular con, which may have been a pile-up of multiple misunderstandings. Beka was pres, Euan was sec and Craig was treasurer last year. Was Johanna drafted in as Conventions convenor that year or was she the year before? Johanna is currently OCM for GUGS and Craig is now the current pres. Like I say, very little involvement from me. I will be discussing this with the GUGS committee and previous ex-committee at the earliest opprotunity to give them the benefit of hearing their version of events.

[saladin]

Lastly, if there is a possibility of Pause moving their february date, I dont think this should be dismissed out of hand. I know that there are a few Pause members who are also GUGS members (myself included) that would like the option of attending both events. I would appreciate it if someone on the pause committee forum would pm me with any decision or thoughts they deem appropriate to share, and I will pass them on to the GUGS committee. I hope that something can be worked out. Perhaps a meeting between a couple of people from each committee, for discussion? Very early in January (the sooner the better)?

Merry Christmas, y'all! :D

And I don't think that GUGs moving their event should be dismissed out of hand. There's give-and-take on all things. Given that the exact same thing happened last year, you'll understand that Pause won't just roll over all that easy.

There is a thread up in the committee section of the forum. But given that it is Christmas, you're just going to have to wait patiently. We don't jump to your tune, even underlined demands on public forums.

And Pitt is correct - the QM's book will have exactly who booked, and as far as I'm concerned, that'll be the bottom line in terms of who booked what first. Any compromise thereafter will be decided thereafter.

[brialzebub]

I'm not suggesting that GUGS rescheduling should be dismissed out of hand either. I'll have to wait and see what the GUGS committee et al. have to say. Yes, it's christmas... so yes, this will take time.

The point being that the GUGS thing has been advertised nationally as being those dates, therefore would probably be a lot more hassle to reschedule. I guess something will just have to be worked out. Let's talk about this more after we've heard what the QM has to say?

It's not a question of "rolling over" - it's a question of working together on the issue.

Also, it's not a demand. I am not here being "GUGS", I was simply raising the situation to notice, wanting the best possible resolution to this for both societies. I am a pause member and have been since its inception. The underlined bit above was underlined simply to draw attention to my request as a pause and GUGS member who can potentially help sort this out with the QM. A request. :)

[Sid]

Hey, I've no idea about what has happened regarding bookings in the past, or whether who has been sneaky or not. Plus, Other People - enough of the other-geeky-club-hate ok? My point is that www.conflagration.org.uk (http://www.conflagration.org.uk) has had those dates up since september, and apparently the GUGS president has an email from the QM from that date confirming the booking. It just looks like an unfortunate double-booking situation. As per the QM's usual whim.
In that case, it's just an unfortunate situation caused by the QM (as I said was entirely possible in my earlier post). There's no geeky-club-hate from me, you just have to understand that given my previous experience in dealing with GUGS', I feel that it's my job as former president to inform the current committee and encourage them to treat anything GUGS' say as suspicious, until they gain our trust again.

Yes, it's very likely that it was different individuals on the committee and I'm sympathetic towards your new committee who no choice but to pick up the pieces from where the previous one left off, but unfortunately, last year's committee were elected to represent GUGS; those people are GUGS and the choices the made reflect the entire society.

What I can say is that it would probably be very difficult for GUGS to change dates since it has been advertised to various people/places already.
Please note that Pause has also had their dates booked and advertised since September, so please start looking into the possibility of GUGS moving if Pause decide they do not wish to move, and given that the QMU has us booked for the Food Factory, it will be our decision what happens.

Officially, as it currently stands in the QMU's book - Pause has the Food Factory from Friday til Sunday and GUGS has Committee Room 2 at 11am on Saturday.
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=3rbh0s0k4gdiuhrnn1qsehh0m0%40group.calen dar.google.com

Sid, I'd be interested to know who exactly you dealt with in GUGS last year? It's really not acceptable to use that kind of language or "negotiation tactic". I can only apologise on behalf of GUGS for any perceived deception. I can assure you that this year there will be less sneakiness - starting with the fact that this thread exists! :)
What language? Negotation tactic? Could you please elborate, as I have no idea what you're referring to. As I said earlier in this post, I think that warning the current committee of the kind of GUGS' previous tactics is entirely acceptable. What do you expect me to do?

*checks e-mails* My communications last year were with "Paradave Talbot", although I believe he was just the messenger from "Johanna" who was "Conflagration convener".

I personally accept your apology on behalf of GUGS. I should also say that I've never held any grudges against GUGS - it's just a lack of trust that's developed which I guess can only be rebuilt through more honest behavior in future from GUGS.

Lastly, if there is a possibility of Pause moving their february date, I dont think this should be dismissed out of hand.
I agree, if it's found to be zero inconvience to Pause, I would be support any decision by the Pause committee to move the date.

Although, ultimately this isn't a decision to be made by me, as I'm not longer on the committee.

[brialzebub]

Fair enough.

An example of how that google calander thing is the shitzorz is that I have been told that we definitely have committee room 1, not 2, booked on saturdays. I dont know who puts the crap on there but they need their head checked. *makes mental note to talk to QM about saturday bookings*

I was talking about _GUGS_ committee members poor negotiation tactics - i.e. lying - rather than anyone from pause. Meaning I think that kind of behaviour is not on. But perhaps it was just a misunderstanding and/or very poor choice of words by the person(s) in question... I've yet to talk to any of the relevant parties in gugs about this, so I'll have to withhold judgement.

Ok, I'm gonna do some christmassy stuff. Like play with Battlefield 2142 which I got myself for christmas. :D

[neogramps]

Battlefield 2142 which I got myself for christmas.

I hope you already have L4D?

[Fyndir]

I say we settle this like trolls.

Two men enter, one man leaves.

[Captain_Caveman]

Surely it should be two trolls enter, one troll leaves. On the assumption trolls can count to two. :D

[Fyndir]

Well since I'm the only troll around there would have to be at least one man involved, and it would seem unfair to ask one of you puny humans to do battle with the glorious might of my trollness, you know?

[Hex]

Surely it should be two trolls enter, one troll leaves. On the assumption trolls can count to two. :D

Come now, surely your familiar with troll counting? It goes one, two, many, lots ;-)

[brialzebub]

I hope you already have L4D?

Of course! I'm not that much of a n00b. :D

[Fyndir]

Come now, surely your familiar with troll counting? It goes one, two, many, lots ;-)

*you're

Troll are do grammars!

Hex are silly.

lol

[Octavion]

I'm just back from the land of trees and sheep up north. I'll send an e-mail of to Ally the Qm President tomorrow and see what the deal is. I'll report back as soon as possible.

[Fyndir]

Which land of trees and sheep?

I am in a similar land, and it is boring here.

[Bluepixie]

I personally don't see any problem with us sharing the Food Factory. I'd like to hear from the QM exactly who is actually booked for that date but for now, it looks like we have it if the calender is anything to go by. I guess the QM is not open until the 5th unfortunately so i guess we'll have to wait until then.

I boggles the mind that GUGS decide to approach us now, it's almost like they just got the date confirmed just before Christmas.........

[Fyndir]

I personally don't see any problem with us sharing the Food Factory.

Don't you know laddy?

There can only be one!

[brialzebub]

...boggles the mind that GUGS decide to approach us now, it's almost like they just got the date confirmed just before Christmas.........

It's not an approach. GUGS didnt decide to approach anyone, and probably wouldn't have. It's me noticing something. (for once :) ) I'm not involved with conflagration, but have recently (last month) become secretary of GUGS so thought I'd point it out. The pres of GUGS has confirmed to me that he got an email from the general manager of the QM in September confirming the booking for that weekend. So yeah. News At Eleven: QM Booking Cockup Scandal.

I've pointed out the date issue to GUGS as well, and emailed the QM also. I can do no more. Wearing my GUGS-committee face, I'd have to say GUGS will work towards a mutually acceptable outcome. On a personal level, I'd hope that a better intersocietal relationship happens and that we can all just get along. :D Whatever. *goes away to play L4D*