Maybe I should start a Page 6 here on OS...Just kidding.

However, on a serious note some of the local gay officials have not been paid for the games they officiated and some Sports Helpers have not received reimbursement for items they were asked to purchase and promised reimbursement.

One football official has come forward and stated that the heterosexual, Non-local straight and non-local gay officials all received payment for the games they officiated. It appears (to the local official) that the only officials that have not been paid are the local gay refs and have been ignored when they have asked when they will be paid.

Another incident of not receiving reimbursement is the Sports Helpers.

These individuals assisted the Sports Managers in sport set up, meet and greets etc. One particular "helper" was asked by the Sports Manager to purchase beverages for the planned meet and greet. Since the majority of the meet and greets took place in bars this was not an issue for many, however, those sports that did not use bars had to provide drinks to their participants. This individual did purchase a large quantity of drinks due to the weather Chicago was experiencing and has yet to be reimbursed.

I hope that this is not a growing trend and that these people do receive the payment that they were promised. With an anticipated 250k profit, I hope the minions are paid prior to GG employee bonuses for being in the black.

Lovingly yours...Liz Smith

I have to admit that I am not all that familiar with normal processes for payment of such large events - but given the size of Gay Games, is it not realistic that since the games only ended a couple weeks ago that some people still may be waiting for payments?

Maybe it's just my experience working for the Federal government, but I wouldn't be surprised if we had to wait a good month or so for all these little things to be worked out?

I can see your point Ras, however when some officials see others being paid the day of their events and others by weeks end...it can be frustrating especially when it involves the same sport. Then add to that...being a local. With the Chicago mail system as bad as it is...maybe we can tell them the check is in the mail

Hey - I, again, as a civil servant, I've used the "cheque is in the mail" line many times wink

I am sure that it will work out in the end - but I can for sure understand the annoyance of seeing others get paid while my bank account remains empty.

Maybe this can be one for Kevin to pounce on - since it does relate to credibility of an organization to pay people within a reasonable time period wink

Just havin' ya on Kevin

[ August 10, 2006, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: Rastuurman ]

There is absolutely no excuse for not paying employees promptly and according to contract.

The only times I heve ever dealt with people or organizations who began to pay their bills late, or put off paying employees promptly, it was because they were having cash flow problems.

When I was a teenager I worked for a guy for two years, then all of a sudden started 'delaying' our paychecks by up to 6 weeks. After about 5 months of late paychecks - including bouncing the last check - he filed for bankruptcy and we all lost several weeks pay. A hard lesson.

That has always been a warning sign for me in dealing with small businesses and organizations.

The most important thing you can do as a organizer or businessman is guard your reputation for paying your employees and creditors promptly.

They have to feed their families and pay their rent and car payments too. Not paying promptly is the same as stealing.

I really hope that is not the case here, it would cast a serious blight on what most people agree was a pretty good time, to say nothing of boding ill for the GG future.

R

I was trying to be optimistic... But thank you for that breath of reality. I do agree with your statements though. However, in the end if everyone gets paid then I will withold from pouncing too quickly on the Gay games.

I suppose it's appropriate that this message would be "signed" by a gossip columnist.

I just spoke with Elizabeth Valenti, our Finance Director. She noted that it is only August 10. She also told me that any payments that haven't gone out are because paperwork was just received early this week and/or there are no W9s yet completed for the higher dollar amounts (required before the check can be mailed). Checks are cut every Friday, and that's tomorrow. She did note that in some cases she has a list of officials from a chief official with no addresses and that it will likely take time, even after the checks are cut, to get them to people. She encourages concerned people to call or email her.

She says also says that she has no reimbursement request like the one cited for the "Sports Helper" but presuming it is not accurately described here and is listed differently, reimbursement requests are also being processed as they come in.

Just over 2 weeks have gone by since the end of the event. I know it's tempting for the anti-Gay Games folks to climb aboard this little choo-choo chain but it looks kind of silly to be the mouthpiece for something about which you don't know anything.

The notion that straight officials would be paid before gay officials because of sexual orientation is about the stupidest thing I've seen in a long time. Not Fooled was fooled indeed.

Elizabeth asked me to post her email address and phone number so that people can contact her directly with inquiries. If people aren't getting answers it's because they're talking with people like Not Fooled, or staff members who may not even work for us anymore.
mailto:Elizabeth.Valenti@gaygameschicago.orgElizabeth.Valenti@gaygameschicago.org, (773) 433-8008.

Sorry Kevin, that anyone ever questioned the infalibilty of the Gay Games (even though it is in my opinion something very minor)...

This is your/the general anti out games rhetoric that I was commenting on. I find that you're very quick to judge on preliminary numbers from an event that didn't even finish a week ago - but so quick to defend the Gay Games on something just as foolish.

Everyone should just relax a bit and stop stressing over, what at this point, are VERY minor issues. If they continue - then I full heartedly agree that the conversation should continue.

In the meantime, I'm willing to give both sides some breathing room.

More jello ... verifiable numbers from online schedules that conflict with official press releases is the issue I've been commenting on elsewhere. The ongoing question about conflicting figures is a legitimate topic in my opinion. You say to wait but there is no need - the numbers have all been made official and public. What would you have people wait for?

If there was a message string that was started criticizing M2006 for OG sports equipment still left at venues, or lack of final financial figures, or no confirmation on profit or loss, or no full inventory of how many t-shirts they had left unsold ... I would certainly agree with you. So find the Montreal equivalent of that person, get them to post a message, and I'll say that publicly, just as I've noted here.

But again ... it isn't the point.

I think the point has been belaboured.

Kevin,
I've forwarded Elizabeth's contact info to those that approached me at Sunday softball about not being paid. They stated to me they'd tried several people at GG with no responses. I told them I had no idea who they should contact but now I do.
Thanks

[ August 11, 2006, 05:15 AM: Message edited by: DCMChicago ]

Kevin, the signing of my post as Liz Smith was a joke...After reading your posts I knew there would be an attempt to diminish my post as gossip, hear say or bashing the GG’s so I kind of beat you to the punch on that one.

The excuse that I am posting because I am anti games is tired and dead. I am not anti games and have never made a post in which could be construed that way. In my prior posts I said that I participated in the GG’s, my experience was positive and that my sport was well run. My only critique was that the OC was too long. I paid and participated, I am allowed some criticism. I even complimented you on being forth coming as to who you were, your input on this board and your willingness to answer to some tough critics. In know way am I anti games…just anti BS.

Back on topic…

You seem to miss some finer points of marketing and PR.

1. Less sometimes is best
2. It’s not your perception, but those of your customers
3. Good service=tell no one Bad Service=tell many
4. Don’t assume you are the only one with the knowledge and that your customer is blind.

As for less is sometimes best…a simple response of “If someone has not been paid and feels they should, please contact so and so would have worked. Instead, in your attempt to make me look foolish, you bring up a blatant error on the Chief Officials part. It is completely unacceptable to allow a Chief Official to submit paperwork incomplete especially when it comes to an area where payment for services is expected. It is completely unacceptable to have the incomplete paperwork be accepted by the GG’s. Had you just provided a simple solution, no one would be aware of that error.

Perception…never did I state for fact that sexual orientation was the reason for the timing of payments. I stated it was the perception of the official that those groups had been paid and he had not. You instead state his perception is “the stupidest thing you have seen in a long time”. His frustration comes from being blown off repeatedly by GG staff members and you just did the same. He has sent several emails and has not received a response. If those employees no longer work for the GG’s, the emails should be closed or forwarded to a general email box that can be accessed by some that can answer the persons question. Just letting the sit there and hope they go away is really poor.

As for Bad Service versus good service…I would not be aware of these issue had they been dealt with. I was told of this in normal everyday conversation and not as a subject matter expert. My response to both of them was to contact the GG’s which made the conversation go a little south as both said they had repeatedly contacted and go no response. In your line of work you should know that people talk (that’s how you make money) but please don’t say that people are not getting answers because they talk to me…they are not getting answers because GG employees are not responding. Nice excuse but it doesn’t work here! It also appears that these two are not the only ones since there was a post this morning as well.

Don’t assume…You shouldn’t dismiss anyone of not knowing information. You have no idea as to what I know. Don’t presume that I am not accurately describing these people’s situations. I have no reason to fabricate, exaggerate, or lie and to dismiss my post as such is not acceptable.

As for less is sometimes best…just get the people the payment they were promised and preferably with less hoops and red tape they have endured already.

Oy.

(Is that less enough). LOL

Dear Not Fooled:
One of the Games organizers (not KB) wants your e-mail so he can contact you and straighten out any issues regarding nonpayment. You can send it to me at mailto:jim@outsports.comjim@outsports.com

This is a really good guy who wants to resolve any issues, so if you are serious about making things right you will contact me and someone can help you. If not, then ...

Thanks!

Hi Jim, as one that always does the right thing…. I am one step ahead. A quick phone call earlier this morning has remedied both issues.

A BIG SHOUT OUT to my boyz at the GG's for fixing this. A job well done before, during, and now after the games. Both the ref and helper are very appreciative of your help…I have not told them about my recouping fee HAHA.

Have a great weekend!!

Hey Not Fooled:
Glad this worked itself out!

Jim