I listened to the podcast last night, and frankly I would have been a little pissed off at the situation. From what you described it seems like you were kind of called out in front of everyone for not signing up for a job. That places you in a very awkward position, you either cave to peer pressure and sign up against your will, ignore it and look like an ass, or voice your objection and possibly look like a bigger ass. IMO the person who outed you was out of line and proper etiquette would have been to nonchalantly pull you aside and discuss it one on one. So that's the first fault I see, shouldn't have happened in the first place, but you can't control what others will do so sometimes you just have to react.
The second thing I have trouble with is no one said anything to back you up? Like this lady called you out, everyone heard and there was nothing but crickets? Did any of the facilitators / teachers / leaders whatever you call them hear this? If so one of them really
should have said something. I completely understand why someone would be reluctant to, I am a very non-confrontational person myself and will usually try to avoid one whenever possible, but when you are filling the role of a leader / facilitator sometimes you need to put your personal feelings aside and play the role of the hat you're wearing.
Something as simple as, "He's good, he has a bunch of other chores to do." or "I've got him doing all kinds of other stuff and he probably won't have time." Would have gone a long way to defuse the situation without making anyone look like an ass.
I don't want to come across like I am criticizing the leadership or whatever, I wasn't there so I couldn't observe it myself, it just seems like something very minor that could have been quickly dismissed, defused and cast aside.
I personally have had a bit of
experience leading and organizing many events, more than I can count, some of them with hundreds of people and I know things are going to happen that weren't part of the plan. Sometimes chairmen aren't doing the right thing, or someone is confused about what they are doing, or one committee member is arguing with another about something that doesn't matter. In those instances you need someone who is going to step up, say something, settle the argument, or make the call.
Inevitably someone will protest this call, and the leader must stay calm and strong. One that always worked for me, "I made the call it's on me. If it fails or falls apart I take the blame. If you are still pissed later, we can go find somewhere private and you can chew me out until you're satisfied, but for now this is what I need you to do." Very rarely did someone take me up on the chewing me out part.
I guess the moral of my rant here is things seldom go as smoothly as planned and that's why quick, decisive, and strong leadership is so invaluable. Much like you do here as the moderator Paul. When there is editing or a dispute you step in, take responsibility and blame for edits or deletions, even if you didn't do it. It says a lot about the moral fiber, and leadership qualities of an individual who is willing to shoulder the burden for the betterment of the group. Sometimes a little thing can be far more irritating than something much larger. I would do your best to let it go, and remember your still our favorite, overall wearing, pie eating, foul mouthed giant and we wouldn't have it any other way.
As always this is just my sometimes humble opinion.
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