Phendrana Drifts

The more time that passes, the better the story has to be. And the story kind of has a... specific audience. Of course we all could identify with it - a practical joke - really, you have to be within student politics to understand it fully.

That said, background.

1. It was Chris Samuel, our VP External's birthday Friday.
2. It was decided to play a practical joke on him.
3. The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is a large Canadian student association, representing thousands of Canadian students, but not the U of A.
4. The U of A SU is suing the CFS for TravelCUTS, a travel company.
5. The CFS is controversal, for lots of reasons.

So... Mat, Erin and I decided to create the illusion of the CFS declaring bankruptcy on Friday, and a angry group of activists would blame the U of A SU. This required a carefully laid plan with a couple of fake press releases and a believable timeline that seemed hurried and uncheckable due to time constraints. We were meeting at 1:00 and that is where the crisis would come to a head. I created said press releases, and then at 12:45 I sent the following e-mail to the people who were in on it, and of course Chris.

FYI!!!

Begin forwarded message:

From: Toby White
Date: February 20, 2004 12:39:28 PM MST
To: 'Duncan Wojtaszek'
Subject: CFS Rumour

Hey Duncan,

I don't know what is going on across the street, but something is up at the CFS.

Remember Michael Conlon? He called me to say that something about the lawsuit was coming up today. Any idea what is up? Rob called and suggested they might declare bankruptcy today! WTF!?!

Toby

Erin followed with this e-mail:

Did Bill say anything about this before he left???

Chris screamed. I'm not kidding. He was in his office, five doors down from me and I heard it clear as day. He orders me to figure out what is going down, which of course I am too happy to do. I print off my two fake press releases and a set of fake key messages, and head to the Advocacy Team meeting.

Here are copies of the press releases:
CFS Press Release
SEA Press Release

Chris actually begins shaking with joy! Not quite the reaction I expected given his resignation was demanded, but very cool. He had bought the gag hook, line and sinker. We plot strategy for half an hour: Do we call our General Manager who is on vacation? Do we remove the protesters at 3:00 by force? Do we react with saddness that the CFS is doomed or with joy?

He he he.

Finally Erin let him in on it. He was astonished. It was great.

Happy Birthday Chris!

posted by Duncan @ 11:02 AM

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