10 Oct 2025

Today I went to St Jerome's church Mapusa for Mass. Dogs followed me upto the granite shops then couldn't come further because of the other stray dogs chasing them away.

I met Alex and Clara Marie after Mass. Latter gave me her contact number.

Dan returned home from LLA around 12.30 so I had to ask Glenn to get some lunch for him.

Building dialogues today

[10/9, 17:49] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: Those attending the meeting please note

I have seen from past meetings that agenda matters get sidetracked by complaints. So, to facilitate smooth working, we will assign one member the task of being moderator and this person can also jot down the bullet points for the minutes. I would like to request Dr Aparajita to be the moderator for the upcoming meeting. If the point discussed goes off tangent, or if the members go into unnecessary details wrt that agenda point, it will be the task of the moderator to steer the discussion on track. We must finish in an hour's time and we must discuss only the agenda points. If there's time leftover with the permission of all, we can address any other complaints/grievances.

[10/9, 22:32] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: I'll just say this here as I mentioned it at AGBM but it wasn't accepted.

It is easier for those who live on the ground floor to manage works at the ground level eg septic tank, water valve, pump, compound cleaning.

It is easier for those living on the second or third floor to supervise and manage works pertaining to the terrace.

[10/10, 11:07] T7 Aparajita Choudhury Ganesh Ganesh Apartments: Hi Auriel I don't think I am upto the job. Also as we do meet occasionally sometimes people need to speak freely and air grievances on common grounds . We generally all get back to the agenda after digression. It's no point trying to put strict regulations on Ganesh Apartment people , we are special breed of people 😃😃😃

[10/10, 11:10] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: The sgbm is not for airing grievances on sundry topics. I am sorry but we need to first finish the points on the agenda. That's the reason the meeting has been called for. If there's no discipline then its a free for all. I don't think it will be a meeting of mature people, it will be a circus ring.

[10/10, 11:13] T7 Aparajita Choudhury Ganesh Ganesh Apartments: Well I would not be able to arbitrate the digressions and disagreements that happen, also because my understanding of Konkani isn't 100percent . You can ask Mrs Veronica Ferrao instead .

[10/10, 11:29] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: Mrs Vera can interpret the Konkani parts, I am sure. I am only asking you to moderate as we have a time constraint and also the area is badly lit, we are uncomfortable to stand for long and thus matters never get discussed to a satisfactory resolution. If members feel that their time is wasted or that unnecessary matters are eating into the time that should be used for purposeful dialogue and there's mudslinging like we see in the House of Parliament, its no wonder we see such poor attendance at meetings.

[10/10, 11:37] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: If you are not comfortable with moderation then can you chair the meeting? I will explain how to do it.

[10/10, 11:44] T7 Aparajita Choudhury Ganesh Ganesh Apartments: Mr Prakash Murgaonkar has always lead the discussions ( since my residence here) acting as defacto chairperson. I generally noted the minutes.

[10/10, 11:45] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: Ok. So you can do that. I'll ask Mr Prakash to chair the meeting.

[10/10, 11:47] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: In case he refuses, saying its my job, is there anyone attending who is willing to either chair the meeting or moderate it?

[10/10, 12:00] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: Reason for changing the status quo is so we have a democratic team. Otherwise it will be just one person calling the shots because he/she is doing most of the work and organisation. In a society, that's why we have a working committee. At a meeting, the Chairperson initiates the meeting and moves from point to point on the agenda. The Secretary presents work completed and pending jobs for approval. The Treasurer presents only the financial records. Each answers questions only pertaining to their area of responsibility. Chairperson also moderates the meeting. Minutes are written by the Secretary in bullet points and fleshed out later. Managing (working) committee reviews the draft of minutes, and once finalized it is written into the minutes book.

Managing committee consists of the executive body ie chairperson, secretary, treasurer. Then there are representative members from all wings of the building, at least one per wing. No decision is taken unilaterally.

[10/10, 12:10] AURIEL RIBEIRO SA: I cannot chair nor moderate as the meeting has been called because of my queries. I can only present my talking points wrt each point on the agenda. Someone else has to chair the meeting and moderate us.