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| Post without a pic? Pshaw! |
I felt that events were conspiring against me as the week progressed. I kept throwing nagging reminders up on the listserv, and had a total of four RSVPs when Saturday rolled around. It's not odd in any walk of American life for people to ignore the response aspect of party planning, so I let it roll, with misgivings.
The event was scheduled to start at 7:30. I had warned folks that Kentucky would be starting a football at precisely the same time, just a few blocks away.
Around 3:00, I got an email from the manager of the Pride Center, our location. The owner of the building had decided that he needed to get his parking lot repaved before the cold weather really set in, and the only time available was that day. So, now we were without a parking lot, at a time when the lot across the street is parking cars at $10 apiece for the game.
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| I look tired.... |
I ran into very little trouble driving in and parking next door. Others reported terrible issues with traffic, and no foreknowledge of the game situation. Why bother sending out notices that no one notices, hmmm?
People trickled in. We had nine, including me, at 7:45. Time to surrender to hunger, and hope some more make it. We made it to eleven folks an hour later. That is a tiny turnout, and a very strange meal. The good spin is that there were four newbies among the group, and I think it was a positive experience for them.
I kept up a good front till the eating was done, but began flagging thereafter. I wasn't really involved in the conversations, and the din was making me shut down. I made it through to the end (as I had to), but it was exhausting. Really makes me appreciate Sylvia's efforts now.
One of the latecomers has been with the group almost as long as me, and stayed after the meeting. She volunteered to help out with leadership stuff in the future. I definitely am going to need some assistance. I have never done anything like this before, but I am determined not to let this group crash and burn on my watch.
Call it outreach, or leadership, or whatever it feels like at the time (insanity?), what you are doing is important. Four ladies new to a group that might not be there without you will tell you that I'm sure.
ReplyDeletecarry on. it is important that there be places that folks can go.
ReplyDeleteHalle, Pat, that is what keeps me in the game. I know what a difference it made for me, and I will stick to it. I just worry about quality, and the dwindling numbers we seem to be serving.
ReplyDeleteI read this when you posted and didn't know what to say. However, it has now been said more eloquently than I could put it.
ReplyDeleteQuality comes with practice and repetition. Keep it going and the numbers will come, now I suspect more than ever. Maybe I'm wrong but if our experience with certain votes on this side of the Pond mirror those on your side then you may find a larger network even if there are fewer in-person attendees. Knowing you exist and operate will be powerful.
God bless,
Joanna
Pain and pleasure, joy and grief, I have followed your blog from it's start, all in the past few days. I don't want to put this book down...
ReplyDeleteI applaud your perseverance, as I stayed in a marriage that did not work for too long. I may be waaaaaay off here... but I wonder if your wife is overspending just to keep you in the relationship?
I wish you the best and hope you remain blogging, it's therapeutic, as well as very interesting to your followers.