Meetings, Culture, and Society

Abstract

In this book, I have suggested that there is a systemic relationship between meetings, culture, and society. Meetings do not merely exist in a sociocultural context because they frequently play an important role in constituting such systems for participants. At the same time, they provide individuals with multiple opportunities for making sense of such systems and negotiating as well as commenting on their place within it. Of course, as this event is typically defined in a great many societies, individuals in meetings are also attempting to accomplish specific culturally defined tasks (e.g., to organize a work group, to make a decision about where to move camp, to decide on a new leader) as they are also attempting to achieve specific individual desires and interests. I have illustrated this view of meetings by examining their significance in detail in an American mental health organization—Midwest Community Mental Health Center.

M: Kau ia iga ia fa′afofoga lo kākou Makai, (1.2) fesoasoagi

May our Lord listen to us (1.2) (and) help

mai iā ′i kākou ′o Akua fa′alelalolagi ma kākou vaivaiga.

us, the gods on the Earth [= matai] and our weaknesses.

(3.0) A ′o legei kaeao ma le aofia ma le fogo, (1.5) ia ua ala

But this morning (in) this meeting (1.5) (we) express

fo′i mai le lagi mamā ma le soifua maua ′ Āiga ma Aloali′i

also our wishes for a healthy life to the chiefs

?: Māile!

?: Māile!

M: Ala mai fo′i i fagugalelei le kōfā i le Makua legā ma

(we) also express the same to the senior orator here and

le kākou ′a′ai.

to the orators of our village.

(1.5)

?: Māile!

M: Kākaou vi′ia le Akua I mea aupiko aluga.

We praise God for the highest accomplishments.

?: Māile!

?: Māile! lava!

?: Māile!

M: ′O sā ma faiga o Maomoa ((the name of the village malae)) o legā

The sacred names of Moamoa, your highness K, has

Ua pa′i i ai lau kōfā Kafiloa.

already mentioned.

T: Māile!

M: ′Ae o le kakou aofia ma le fogo, (0.8)

But as for our meeting (0.8)

(0.8)

M: O le′ ā fa′auso loa.

the discussion will be started now.

Moe′ono, a Samoan senior arator, opens a fono (meeting) for discussion.

Alessandro Duranti (1984:239)