Saturday, May 20, 2017

NORM SCOTT DOMINATES ICE MEETING LIKE NEVER BEFORE

ICE is Norm Scott's brainchild. Friday's ICE meeting at the diner was one of the most fun ever. It was an intimate gathering that turned into an almost four hour Norm Scott marathon monologue. I do not say this to criticize Norm--not at all. He was in rare form. I surprisingly agreed with almost everything he said.

Norm spoke eloquently about CPE1's victory in getting rid of an abusive principal, MORE, the problems with getting out a wide distribution newsletter, the Executive Board, the life of a caucus, the situation in Chicago, Los Angeles, contract vs social justice unionism, MORE's Save our Union Conference, the UFT in the world where members don't have to pay dues, his health (He's fine!) and more that I can't even remember. He did all of this while still managing to eat a full meal. It was a sight to behold.

All of us sat there spellbound and occasionally threw in our two cents.

We are lucky to have Norm actively involved in the Union. He has been an activist for well over forty years. May he continue on for another forty.

Norm blogs over at EdNotes. It is well worth a read.

10 comments:

Harris L. said...

Thanks for the report, James.

I'm sorry that I couldn't get into the City for yesterday's meeting. I've seen Norm in good form; I'm not sure that I've ever seen him in full rare form mode. And the man can eat....

Anonymous said...

Go Norm.

Anonymous said...

I love Norm!

Mary

Michael Fiorillo said...

Sorry I couldn't be there for Norm's bravura performance.

While MORE deserves kudos for its fine work concerning CPE1, I also can't attend a meeting without getting a factions-working- behind-the-scenes vibe at MORE, with processes and actions made according to sectarian preferences, some of which are helpful to teachers and public education, others less so. ICE is a great place for open discussion, where people can speak without fear of being shut down over faddish Left taboos.

Harris L. said...

Michael,

God bless you and MORE.

I joined MORE in January 2013. We were talking about exactly the same thing four years ago. MORE is what it is and I respect the people in it and the stuff it does---that doesn't mean I want to go to any more Saturday meetings :)

John G said...

With you 100% on thoae Saturday meetings, Harris!

Anonymous said...

MORE meetings are contrived horseshit. They are designed so nothing gets done.

Anonymous said...

We still have a nonsense UFT.

Anonymous said...

And an opposition group called MORE that is more interested in issues that have nothing to do with teachers.

Anonymous said...

Norm is a gem, and has a wealth of knowledge that leaves one spellbound.