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Atlanta Z3
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« on: September 25, 2012, 02:05:26 pm » |
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A dinner was planned for our entire department and I have a volunteer conflict for that date. I don't want to go to the dinner and I don't want to cancel my volunteer commitment. I answered tentative with the reason. The senior boss in passing my desk this morning asked if I could have someone cover my volunteer spot, I just dropped my shoulders and before I could answer he said “no pressure” and walked away.
A little previous history at one of these dinner a little too much wine was imbibed and I was insulted, so I’m not keen to attend another. Not that I needed to be, but my schedule was not consulted in the planning stage.
Looking at the invite the CEO and both division presidents and division CFO have been invited – good grief Charlie Brown! No reason has been given for the dinner.
Would you attend or keep your volunteer commitment made months ago and yes there is a waitlist of volunteers to fill my spot, it will just look bad at the venue.
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countrigal
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« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2012, 06:14:21 pm » |
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Ok, for what it's worth, here are my thoughts. If you have no desire to "see and be seen", aka what it could do for your career, then I wouldn't worry with going. It's not something you want to do and you have a previous engagement already which should be honored. If they are not providing a reason for the dinner, then you cannot be expected to understand how important/not important it really is and they should be willing to understand you have a prior committment for that date/time. As you stated it is not something you want to do, then I'd give a negative response and push on from there. If they come back with more information due to your negative response, then perhaps you'll have enough information to make a completely informed decision on whether or not to continue to decline the invite or to notify your volunteer obligation that you must ask for coverage while you meet this new work obligation. With as little information as is provided to you, it's very difficult to make an informed decision so you must go with your gut.
Let us know the outcome please... I'd be interested in how it shakes out.
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JessW
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« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2012, 07:42:31 pm » |
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Atlanta Just a suggestion, but you 'could' tell them that you 'could 'cancel your volunteer commitment, which 'could' be classed as Corporate Social Responsibility in action and thus make the Company look foolish at best or complete you-know-whats (insert insult that will most pique their ego here), or you could abide by your previously arranged commitments (arranged prior to the decisions and announcements of their specified dinner) and 'fly the flag' as to how good the Company really is - or words to that effect or variations thereon! Does your firm have a Corporate Social Responsibility Charter/Policy? If not, and especially in the current economic climate and 21st Century attitude to Scrouge-like business practices, why not? Just an idea, but then you know your firm and the bods in charge and how they think! Hope the idea is of use! Jess (sitting at my new desk at home - only took me 2 hours to set up from flat pack up to switching my computer back on! I now need a drink!  ) |
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Katie G
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« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2012, 09:19:53 pm » |
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Ok, for what it's worth, here are my thoughts. If you have no desire to "see and be seen", aka what it could do for your career, then I wouldn't worry with going. It's not something you want to do and you have a previous engagement already which should be honored. If they are not providing a reason for the dinner, then you cannot be expected to understand how important/not important it really is and they should be willing to understand you have a prior committment for that date/time. As you stated it is not something you want to do, then I'd give a negative response and push on from there. If they come back with more information due to your negative response, then perhaps you'll have enough information to make a completely informed decision on whether or not to continue to decline the invite or to notify your volunteer obligation that you must ask for coverage while you meet this new work obligation. With as little information as is provided to you, it's very difficult to make an informed decision so you must go with your gut.
Let us know the outcome please... I'd be interested in how it shakes out.
I had a response typed out and was trying to make it make sense and then I read CG's response and thought, "Well, that's what I was trying to say!" So, uh, yeah.....what CG said.....  |
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2012, 02:08:07 pm » |
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I'm really on the fence here. I know I should go **whine** I really don't want to go! The person who insulted me last time will not be there as they are on vacation. Why should I give up my volunteer commitment?
Interestingly the sr boss who sent out his own invite left off his admin - things that make you go hmmm.
As for face time, there isn't a position in the company where I would want to move; I have enough time in grade that my skills are known (good and bad!) so I'm not looking for politic side of the event. Even if the senior's seniors do attend it's not like they would pay much attention to an admin in a room full of lawyers, facts of life. Cynical - you bet.
Is this our holiday dinner early - get me a starbucks card and I'm happy.
I am volunteering for the same venue tomorrow night and will take a feel for what the cancelation friction will be. Also our volunteer appreciation party is the same week of the dinner - I may make that my excuse that it would be impolite to cancel an event a week before our appreciation party where I'm to receive a longevity award....
I do think I'm going to wander over to the CEO's admin's office to find out if he is attending - if the answer is yes I may have to bite the bullet. I'll keep you posted!
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Jackie G
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« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2012, 02:44:45 pm » |
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Atlanta
My take
You don't want to go for the reasons you stated here. The fact the person is on vacation this time is beside the point.
I'd stick with my volunteer commitment and if you're hauled out for it, say it was in your diary months before, you don't let folk down, yada yada - end of.
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peaches2160
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« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2012, 09:03:09 am » |
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Never know, maybe they have some sort of recognition planned. Never know.
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Katie G
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« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2012, 04:35:01 pm » |
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I guess what's bothering me about this is the "No reason given for the dinner" bit. It smacks of "Just make time in your personal life for something you know nothing about just because we say so." I find it more than a bit rude to make that kind of assumption on your personal time. It reminds me of a professor in college who was annoyed that I wasn't going to attend some "optional" outing to a local museum, because my father was having a quad bypass that day and I was going to be at the hospital from 6AM until whenever. Frankly, even if it wasn't "optional", I wouldn't be attending. I was going to the hospital - period. I know your situation is different, but the attitude is the same. Maybe it is some kind of nice surprise, but if you're going to do that, do a luncheon or reception during working hours. Just my opinion. (Which is worth exactly what you paid for it. ) |
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msmarieh
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« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2012, 09:18:37 pm » |
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Well, personally I would ask what the purpose of the dinner is, so I could make an educated decision, but that's just me and I am fairly direct.
I think politically it's wise to accept that sort of invitation.
However, I also don't think it's the end of the world to skip it. If you don't want to do it, then it's your choice not to go.
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2012, 02:50:06 pm » |
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I kept my volunteer committment last night, interesting show to volunteer for - it was almost sold out and we were short ushers. So if I had cancelled... Dinner did have all the big wigs (I'm going to have to look up that phrase) and I hear was very nice. No big announcements just a a thank you dinner.
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JessW
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« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2012, 04:32:13 pm » |
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Good for you - you kept your promise! Hope there is no backlash (if it really were just a thank you dinner, I cannot imagine there would be!) Jess !  |
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