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I'm so glad VAGenWeb volunteers have stayed focused on why we are here.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all of you.
Linda
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Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 09:20:46 -0500
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From: Ellen Pack <epack(a)indy.net>
Subject: Re: [STATE-COORD-L] New Acting National Coordinator
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At 10:22 PM 12/23/98 -0500, you wrote:
Hello,
I would like to also welcome Beth Wills as our new Acting National
Coordinator. I hope that she has a good suit of armor to wear to
protect herself.
Please add my personal welcome to the long list, as well as my profound
dismay at losing Bob, one of our most dedicated and effective leaders. His
resignation, like those before him, will leave a gaping hole in our project.
The second sentence, re the suit of armor, is alarming because of it's
truth. It appears that we are placing our elected reps in an untenable
position.
Unfortunately there are those few who seem to take great delight in tearing
down what most of us try so hard to build. Typically, the response of our
caring reps has been to try and please EVERYone. List after list has been
created. Note after note has been written. Post after post has been
worded and reworded in an attempt to cover all the bases, and make everyone
happy. Sorry, but it can't be done, and in most cases, it shouldn't even
be tried.
I've seen some people embark on concerted personal attacks on our
volunteers. Mean attacks. Vicious attacks. Hurtful attacks.
I've seen some people make unrealistic demands of our volunteers.
I've seen some people stick their nose where it doesn't belong, and
illegally repost private notes on a public forum.
I've seen phrases taken out of context, and twisted and turned until they
don't even resemble the original thought.
I've seen people take personal pot shots at Brian and Karen, even after all
the time, effort, and money they have personally contributed. Where would
we be without them??? Yet they are constantly bombarded with accusations
of personal monetary gain. Ridiculous.
I've never run for an office, yet I personally went through this junk after
serving on the By-Laws committee this past summer. Are the By-Laws
perfect? No. So shoot me. I can vouch for each and every member of that
committee, and I know they were all wonderful and dedicated volunteers who
ate supper in front of the computer night after night, forgetting what
their spouse looks like, all in an attempt to set down a strong workable
foundation for our project.
There are many, many very good and dedicated volunteers who are afraid to
even post a note, out of fear of the nasty verbal attack they know is in
store for them.
Mean-spirited, irresponsible, and destructive behavior is inexcusable, and
should not be tolerated under any circumstances.
I think the time has come to hold up a big stop sign and say NO MORE!
Where is it written that we have to accept everyone, even if they have a
personal agenda??
Let us say to those who wander around with hand grenades:
If you don't like what is happening, then run for office, or LEAVE. No one
twisted your arm and dragged you into this project kicking and screaming,
but if you are going to be destructive, make false accusations,
misrepresent the truth, and post copyrighted and personal material on a
public forum, I for one will be very happy to drag you kicking and
screaming OUT of the project.
That doesn't mean we all have to agree with one another, and I'm sure we
won't. That in itself is heathy! We need each other, and we need the
input, opinions, and ideas, but only if presented in a helpful and positive
fashion.
As the year draws to an end, I believe we are faced with serious decisions.
We can either work together as polite, considerate, and mature adults, or
we can let a very few continue to chip away at the very foundation upon
which we are trying to build a meaningful and lasting work of art - and
that's what it is - a wonderful work of art designed to assist those who in
many cases are our cousins, and who sometimes become our friends.
I don't care how all the garbage started. It's time it ENDS, and ends
quickly. Unfortunately, it will not end until we let those few know that we
will no longer tolerate the destructiveness.
I am temporarily re-subbing to -ALL, and much of this note will be reposted
there, edited for that list. I'm sure I will receive a ton of hate mail,
but so be it. I have a lovely keyboard with a well-oiled delete key.
Merry Christmas to them all. :->
For those of you who have taken the time to read this rather rambling note,
I thank you. I do feel better now. <G>
But a word of caution: either we work together, or we self-destruct
together. It's up to us.
For now, I'm getting on with the important things in life: my six week old
grand-daughter's first Christmas. <G> This is what it's all about.
May peace, joy and prosperity follow you in the new year.
Ellen
SC MS
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