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Re: Unusual lecture problem

Title: Unusual lecture problem
Well, Graham,
    I do not know all the details and it would seem the proof of this pudding is in the details.... Personally, I see a "gentleman's agreement" in the second line below. "I reluctantly accepted these...." Right now you are in an almost no win situation and hard feelings, to some degree, are going to happen no matter your decision. Things went on too far and too close to speaking date.
    Appearances are important in life.... if there was any way possible I would do the presentation with a great big grin and get through it all, smoothing  as many ruffled feathers as possible. All we have is our reputations when it comes to making a living ... or supplementing it... at speaking.
    Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
www.munchkinnursery.com
genebush@munchkinnursery.com
Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana
----- Original Message -----
I was approached in June 2004 about lecturing at a conference in 2006. I agreed in principle - all I knew was the date.

Everything went quiet for a long time until this spring when various previously unmentioned conditions emerged. I reluctantly accepted these and subjects for the lectures were discussed but  there was no agreement on the fee and expenses and so no formal agreement that I would speak.

A month ago, after a couple of months of silence on the matter of the fees negotiation, I decided that, for various family reasons, I would have to stop taking lecture bookings for a while and they were informed that I would not be available. They expressed consternation that I would not be coming as, it turns out, in spite of not having reached an agreement with me, they have been publicising my appearance at the event. Then I receive an email saying "Thank you so much for agreeing to participate..."

I'm sure this is more disorganisation, lack of communication within the organisation and incompetence than any attempt to blackmail me by publicity into actually turning up.

But what am I supposed to do now? If I'd actually accepted their offer and agreed to go - then of course I would go, however inconvenient it might be, no argument at all. But we'd reached no agreement and then I was forced to withdraw.

But it will now look as if I have let them down.

Nothing like this has ever happenend before.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Graham Rice
http://GrahamRice.com

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