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What have I done? What do I do?
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 391383" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>Susie, I've described this tactic a few times, but I don't post that bit in fine print. I find that if it is there at the end of my note (which is generally couched in semi-informal terms, to keep it seeming friendly but still worded sufficiently precisely so they can't weasel out of it later) in the same size, then two possible things happen:</p><p></p><p>1) they see it, and it goads them into action where they have previously been lax. This generally means that services I want for my child suddenly materialise; OR</p><p></p><p>2) They STILL don't see it, or they agree my notes are an accurate reflection of our conversation, but they do nothing. Later I can point out that my comment was in the same size font, it was not hidden, so they can't say "I didn't see it" without me saying, "What else in my note did you not see? Do you pay the same level of attention to all your other correspondence?"</p><p></p><p>Don't set them up for failure. Instead, set them up for success. Then when they fail, you can really easily demonstrate that you gave them absolutely every chance and then some.</p><p></p><p>When I am on the phone to someone at the school or similar, I always take notes as we talk. Even in meetings, I've taken notes. I use my laptop computer. It's a Mac, which means it also comes with cute software packages which can record a meeting while not seeming to. You start the program up while outside in your car, then pause it. Open a text file, set it up with date, headings etc. Put the computer to sleep while you go into the school. When the meeting starts, unpause the recording then minimise it while only the text file is on your screen. Highly illegal and if you do this, do not produce the recording at a later stage. Also, other voices will be faint and your voice will be loud; you will also get a lot of key clicking being recorded, But you may get enough of what other people say, to write it down verbatim. That way you CAN produce your highly detailed minutes of that meeting and send them to the school, with the added note "If you feel any of this is not a true record of our meeting, please communicate this to me in writing. If I do not hear form you by [X date] I will take that as acceptance of the accuracy of my notes. Thank you for your continuing help with my child." I add this last to soften the message a little; it stops the hackles form raising too far with my "failure to confirm will constitute agreement" part of the note.</p><p></p><p>It also pays to always have a notepad and pacer pencil with you. I carry spare leads too. I find a pacer pencil is always sharp, always writes on any paper no matter how greasy and has saved my bacon numerous times when some education official rang me on my mobile while I was out shopping. One especially momentous phone call came when I was in the mall and I had to take refuge in a shoe store so I could hear them well enough. I didn't have my pacer pencil so I had to use an eyeliner pencil on a shop docket to take notes. The official was surprised when she got my note about the call - I had 'remembered' a lot more detail than she thought I would. But it was at last enough to force them to allow the services I was asking for.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 391383, member: 1991"] Susie, I've described this tactic a few times, but I don't post that bit in fine print. I find that if it is there at the end of my note (which is generally couched in semi-informal terms, to keep it seeming friendly but still worded sufficiently precisely so they can't weasel out of it later) in the same size, then two possible things happen: 1) they see it, and it goads them into action where they have previously been lax. This generally means that services I want for my child suddenly materialise; OR 2) They STILL don't see it, or they agree my notes are an accurate reflection of our conversation, but they do nothing. Later I can point out that my comment was in the same size font, it was not hidden, so they can't say "I didn't see it" without me saying, "What else in my note did you not see? Do you pay the same level of attention to all your other correspondence?" Don't set them up for failure. Instead, set them up for success. Then when they fail, you can really easily demonstrate that you gave them absolutely every chance and then some. When I am on the phone to someone at the school or similar, I always take notes as we talk. Even in meetings, I've taken notes. I use my laptop computer. It's a Mac, which means it also comes with cute software packages which can record a meeting while not seeming to. You start the program up while outside in your car, then pause it. Open a text file, set it up with date, headings etc. Put the computer to sleep while you go into the school. When the meeting starts, unpause the recording then minimise it while only the text file is on your screen. Highly illegal and if you do this, do not produce the recording at a later stage. Also, other voices will be faint and your voice will be loud; you will also get a lot of key clicking being recorded, But you may get enough of what other people say, to write it down verbatim. That way you CAN produce your highly detailed minutes of that meeting and send them to the school, with the added note "If you feel any of this is not a true record of our meeting, please communicate this to me in writing. If I do not hear form you by [X date] I will take that as acceptance of the accuracy of my notes. Thank you for your continuing help with my child." I add this last to soften the message a little; it stops the hackles form raising too far with my "failure to confirm will constitute agreement" part of the note. It also pays to always have a notepad and pacer pencil with you. I carry spare leads too. I find a pacer pencil is always sharp, always writes on any paper no matter how greasy and has saved my bacon numerous times when some education official rang me on my mobile while I was out shopping. One especially momentous phone call came when I was in the mall and I had to take refuge in a shoe store so I could hear them well enough. I didn't have my pacer pencil so I had to use an eyeliner pencil on a shop docket to take notes. The official was surprised when she got my note about the call - I had 'remembered' a lot more detail than she thought I would. But it was at last enough to force them to allow the services I was asking for. Marg [/QUOTE]
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