Working Group Meeting

[Nikki]

Hello All

Since I don't live in SF, it's not like I can bop over to a meeting anytime within 15 minutes or so after work. Coming to SF involves a 2.5 - 3hrs round trip + the time of the meeting. I made my schedule around Wednesdays since that is when the SLM fundraising working group was meeting from the outset and my soul reason for joining up with SLM was to raise money for LM. I was willing to do anything reasonable to raise funds for LM but I can't cut out from work early feeling that that's a reasonable thing to do in the long run. It's too bad and causes me much sadness as SLM has been very near and dear to my heart as working on the survival of LM means a great deal to me on many levels. It also sort of chafes at me as I've been trying to get a meeting going since the June swoon as well as my preference for a meeting night when I could actually make it, which I've always made very clear, was totally ignored. I'm left with the feeling that my contributions to SLM are quite dispensable.

Nikki

[chvaza]

Nikki, You have a couple of different points in your message. I don't know all that's going on, but at least some of what is happening is some burnout within SLM and, in my opinion, needing to but some structure in place so SLM can keep going with smaller numbers and a plan to pull in new energy. Has the day for the SLM fundraising meeting been moved or is your frustration more about people not showing up on Wednesdays? Cheryl . --- On Mon, 7/18/11, Nikki <fila...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Nikki]

Cheryl

My frustration (if that's what it's called) is about the meeting day being moved from Wednesday which is the only day that I can really make it. I mentioned in my email this morning that I formed my schedule around the Wednesday fundraising meetings last February so that I could be sure to make it to the meetings. In doing so, I channeled all of my SF business and SF affairs I need to do to Wednesdays. Thus I'm already in SF on that day which makes it convenient for me to take part and be active in the meetings. It is very difficult for me to get away on another weekday due to the length of the of commute time back and forth from the east bay coupled with the actual length of  the meeting . When I was trying to get fundraising meetings going during the June and July swoon and during this latest poll for a meeting day, I mentioned my choice of days as Wednesday, Wednesday and Wednesday or weekends if Wednesdays can't possibly work. My frustration arose from my requested days (3 out of 7 days) being completely ignored and the day was changed to Monday which precludes my participation. But the heart of what I was trying to voice in my email is not really frustration. It is one of disappointment and sadness as I have a great attachment to SLM and the fundraising group in particular as raising funds for LM is very important to me since LM is near and dear to my heart. Actually SLM is dear to my heart and I enjoy (usually, except for occasional hiccups) putting energy into the cause. I have been willing to do anything within reason to raise funds for LM. Abandoning my work responsibilities early on other weekdays to get to SF in time for a meeting is not within reason in the long run. Thus not being able to attend meetings is more or less a wet mop in the face of participation as I want to continue to add my thoughts to the processes moving forward as well as my physical energy. So what I think I'm actually experiencing is a sense of loss of something that has great significance to me that I desire to continue shepherding or fostering which is an emotion that is much more profound than frustration. 

My language here is not that of organizational discourse but instead is that of one who usually approaches life with a sensitive and dedicated nature toward things in which I believe and hold dear. 

Does this answer your question?

Nikki

[chvaza]

yes.  I have a better understanding of your feelings now.  And, I didn't know about the Monday meetings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.

[pike on a bike]

Hi Nikki,

I am really sorry to hear your sadness/ disappointment in the communication within SLM. I have been out of town all month, but from what I've seen on the listserv it seems as though people have lost a lot of steam now that the board is up and running. I know that for me, having joined the board I feel so busy trying to just stay on top of that that I have taken a big step back from SLM stuff. Not only because I've been busy, but also because it seems like these days, only you and Sherry are able to meet regularly for fundraising so it seems futile with only two people.

I am not really sure why no one can meet on Wednesdays now, particularly this Wednesday, since there is no board meeting (that's Thursday), but I'm sorry that it's shaking out like this anyway. I really don't think it's about you or anyone feeling like your contributions are "disposable;" but I can understand how it might feel that way.

I hope we can all figure out a way to be able to keep SLM going now that so many of us are on the board. I think it's important to have both, but only if we actually have enough people for them to stand as independent entities. If there are only two people left not counting board members, it seems like that's really hard.

Sincerely,

Pike

Pike

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