Hello my friends,
I am writing this letter with the unfortunate duty of informing you of the decisions that WFE's Executive Board have made. It is probably going to be taken as bad news for you guys, and for that I'm sorry.
For a few reasons, which I will do my best to outline, the Wayfinder Experience must insist that you guys stop running Wayfinder programming in California until or unless we hire a Regional Coordinator in the area.
The same fears and flaws present in January, when we were going to hook up with Robert Easley, remain present. When the deal with Robert fell through, and I told you guys to just continue as normal, it was not the most well-reasoned decision. I'll be honest, it was very stupid and I shouldn't have given you guys the go ahead. It was a lazy decision, for I sensed a very strong resistance to potentially ceasing programming out in California and I wasn't up for the "fight". I still sense this resistance, but the bottom line is that things can't continue in this way and we don't have the resources at present to make the changes we would like to make. I am hoping that perhaps this little taste of "damage control" can help you guys see where we're coming from.
We have not made this decision to be mean or exclusive, or because we don't trust you. But human error can only be expected, and Ronald Reagan said my favorite quote, "Trust, but verify." We cannot verify, and we cannot confirm. We have made this decision to keep us all safe.
Until legality is straightened out, until there is a responsible and dedicated adult on-site, the only feasible move is to stop running programming. You guys have expressed specifically the fact that you are not taken seriously by your particpants' parents; some of your own parents have contacted us to inform us that the program was being run.. chaotically, to put it kindly. Please do not think that we believe that "kids today..." and all of that malarkey, but there is a lot to be said for perception and for experience.
We are indeed dedicated to expanding WFE's teaching method across the world. We just want to do it responsibly, intelligently, and well. We do not want to put the eternal kaibosh on Westfinder. We simply must insist, however, that for the time being, in light of all of these concerns and the upcoming summer season, that Westfinder ceases operation within the next 14 days.
Peace and love and thanks!
I don't foresee this email being the end of this conversation - far from it. I want to really encourage you guys to say what you want to say, because at the end of the day the last thing I want are feeling being hurt for no good reason.--
-Johan Sheridan
C.E.O. | The Wayfinder Experience, Inc.
(845) 340-9880 | (732) 771-7106
61 O'Neil Street | Kingston, NY 12401
wayfinderexperience.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Grim Tidings
Yesterday, Westfinder received this letter from Johan Sheridan, CEO of the Wayfinder Experience. We've decided to post it here for all to see:
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We are currently in the process of reviewing potential regional Co-ordinators, and already have a few candidates. If you happen to know someone who may be well-fitted to the job, let us know!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we will still have the community day, as we have approval from Wayfinder to run it. We will also still be sending out the (now more tentative) schedule for games next year on time, worry not.
ReplyDeleteWill you be accepting applications, as well, or just nominations of others?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a question of applications or nominations. If you have someone for us to contact and begin meeting with, please tell us. It's more than just a simple application.
ReplyDelete+Sunshine
I'm having difficulty understanding the issue. Don't we have waivers for release of liability now? Doesn't that take care of things?
ReplyDeleteAlso, we need a "responsible and dedicated adult on-site". Legal adult: over 18, yes? Couldn't we just have one (or more) of our over 18 staff members count as this adult?
To me, this whole issue seems needlessly complicated. Don't waivers take care of legality? Don't we have staff members who are over 18? Couldn't one of them become regional coordinator, especially considering staff here go to both Westfinder and Wayfinder? Seems pretty simple.
Well I would say what we need most is an EMT type person. Someone who knows at least first aid and CPR and can attend to the minor injuries and things that can occur. I know a lot of people are certified for this stuff, I am, but I'm not a medical student or a hired professional.Some "responsible adult on-site" sounds like they don't like yound adults being in charge or teenagers especially without a medical person. I would love to take this job just because it would allow things to continue. However, "responsible adult" is a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrry vague term and I don't know what kind of qualifications people need.
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between having staff who are legally adults and could theoretically be RCs and having staff who Wayfinder wants to be RCs.
ReplyDeleteWe have multiple certified First Aid and CPR people, but, honestly, I think Wayfinder wants someone who can be held responsible if something goes wrong, which people who are certified but not professionals cannot be (at least so long as they didn't do anything they weren't certified to do)