Re: AUGD: Hecklers/Unstable people at meetings
Re: AUGD: Hecklers/Unstable people at meetings
- Subject: Re: AUGD: Hecklers/Unstable people at meetings
- From: "Chris Hart, Pres, ctmac.org" <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:32:04 -0400
- Thread-topic: AUGD: Hecklers/Unstable people at meetings
Sorry I don't have any "code of conduct" already prepared to share with you.
But I suspect it won't take long to whip one together.
Jean offers some great advice about trying to help this person. But it
sounds like they you've already tried and all your efforts were rebuffed.
This is similar to what happened in our group with the person I mentioned.
We went to great lengths to reach out to this person and understand his
brain affliction that caused modification of his behavior.
But when he then became hostile -- even going as far as to threaten to sue
the group and its board (though there was no justifiable cause for any legal
action at all) -- we had to distance ourselves.
-Chris
On 4/12/09 6:38 PM, "Dave G" <email@hidden> wrote:
> Wouldn't happen to have a suggested code of conduct we could borrow,
> would you?
>
> Unfortunately the email address he used bounces, though he claims it's
> a fine working one (again it causes an argument). I'm not one to
> guess a person's behavior, but other professionals in our group
> indicate this is a "deeper issue" and he's most likely being treated
> for it. I'm not sure this is a "boundary issue", as we've told him
> many times not to interrupt (and that's when he tends to get
> aggressive).
>
> I disagree though with Jean that we can sit down an explain things to
> this person. First, is the issue of safety. Secondly, we don't have
> the time, resources or skills to do it.
>
> I'm leaning towards coming up with some basic rules, putting it on our
> website, and possibly presenting it at the beginning of our meetings
> along with the: no food/drink, cell phones on vibrate, etc.
>
> On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 4:17 PM, Chris Hart, Pres, ctmac.org
> <email@hidden> wrote:
>>
>> This is indeed a difficult situation, that I wouldn't wish upon any group.
>>
>> "Open to the public" doesn't mean that you have to take anyone and everyone,
>> if they refuse to conduct themselves in a civil manner and within the
>> group's guidelines. You have a group to run and an obligation to help the
>> members learn in a comfortable and friendly environment.
>>
>> Our MUG did have a member a few years ago who had issues with dealing with
>> group social situations and was on medication to control his symptoms. When
>> he was on the meds he was fine, but when he would forget, he could sometimes
>> cause tension.
>>
>> As was said, setting boundaries is important. I would contact this person
>> prior to the next meeting and establish the guidelines for group conduct.
>> Ask him if he feels he can conduct himself within these guidelines and ask
>> for a commitment to do so. Don't hesitate to tell him that if he cannot
>> fulfill this commitment that you'll rescind his invitation to meetings and
>> refund his membership fee.
>>
>> So that this person cannot claim that he's being singled out, I would post
>> your guidelines for conduct at your meeting space. Post it at the door, or
>> even at multiple locations. Print it in as large a font as possible, so
>> it's unmistakable.
>>
>> -Chris
>>
>>
>> On 4/12/09 2:49 PM, "Dave G" <email@hidden> wrote:
>>
>>> As a group open to the public, I've witnessed a participant "heckling"
>>> to the point of scaring people. We've gently tried to talk over him
>>> and politely asked him to respect other's but it doesn't seem to work.
>>> If someone is a paid member/pays for meetings, I find it extremely
>>> difficult to ask them to leave.
>>>
>>> Often times he'll interrupt the speaker saying they are "wrong" or
>>> making inappropriate comments. Sometimes, he'll just keep asking
>>> questions and blurt them out without being recognized by the meeting
>>> leader
>>>
>>> I'm sure the User Group veterans have a slew of ideas and past
>>> experiences on how to handle this, so bring them on. I guess I should
>>> be glad in 15 years or so in being involved with User Groups I've
>>> never seen this problem.
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>>
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