To All,
I just spent an hour explaining myself and my view of the GenWeb
Project. But because I always think my fingers are where they should be,
I deleted the whole thing. You were saved from having to read it, but I
still need to say some stuff. I'll make it somewhat shorter this time.
This week:
I am sorry some of you have not received the attention desire this week,
but this week I do have a valid excuse. I have been flat out with a
rotten, yucky flu and only today returned to work. My brain is still a
bit fuzzy, but am most disgusted with the attitude of the few being
expressed in many places. It has finally made me pretty angry with the
few.
I explained in the deleted email why I originally joined this
Project. For altruistic reasons of wanting to help others and with the
naive that other people were working for the same reasons; to find
information that would be useful for genealogical purposes and putting it
on the internet. The GenWeb Project is a good place to do that. Within
the general guidelines we can do what we can. We can gather, coordinate,
collect, produce to our hearts content and most of us do.
Then the other side of human nature crept in. The side that sees power and
control that I continue to miss. I barely control my own life, much less
what is happening elsewhere or on the internet. The key to this project
is cooperation. That means sometimes you must deal with and / or accept
other people failings. Others are not always as perfect as you or I, but
I will fight to the end for the right for them to keep trying. My mother,
never understanding fully my interest in old letter, etc, always said,
"They dead! What's the big deal?" Sometimes I feel that way too, when it
comes to speed. Most of the information will be some place for some time
yet (barring floods, hurricanes and other disasters) and althought it
would be great to have it on the internet, it doesn't have to happen over
night. Therefore, I tend to be more patient, in this part of my life,
than some.
I am preaching to the choir, here, I think, but you'll let me know if I am
not. One of the few things I expect in this life for me and mostly for
others, is respect. Except for one person, recently, this has held true
for this group. I realize that I should provide leadership, but little is
demanded until this election period which it the one part I care least
about. It takes my focus from the genealogy that I want to do and puts it
on what others may or may not be doing. When items are put on the
WAGEN-L, there is little response, which is fine with me, I get enough
email. But I believe you are all adults with functioning minds and
opinions and if you wanted to say something, you would and do.
But more than that over the last few years, we have been quite civil to
eachother (sooner or later). We are learning to accept when someone does
something a bit differently than we prefer and hopefully look for
something else to do. Some people work very hard for this Project and
have a lot of time, have spent a lot of energy and greatly appreciated for
this. But keep in mind, none of us are paid employees, and must take the
little joys for ourselves. I guess it is getting clearer if not
redundent, that I believe in the Golden Rule. The version that says to
try to do for others, what you would have them do for you, before they get
the idea. (My version)
That's enough of that this time, if you don't get, express yourself on
WAGEN-L.
I am sorry if you are one of the few who have wished for a more agressive
action on my part in the activities at national. I'll try to be more
definitive by Monday, if my brain stops swirling. Basically, I don't want
to see the USGenWeb Project divided or made any more vulnerable to ego
trips; nor do I want to see specifically designed rules that control our
activities at the state or county levels. So look at the pages that Fred
gave out and see what the amendments say, meaning may be something else.
Think about your own efforts for the projects. If you questions or
comments, contructive comments, return to WAGEN-L. If you are dying to
vote as a state say so, but know I am not immediately set up to do that
except by straw vote which we can do at anytime on WAGEN-L.
One comment about the ARCHIVES Project. I do find this a great project
and I wholeheartedly endorse, even with current problems. I DO NOT
require you as individual coordinators, to think the same way. You have
the right to put the information you collect on your county pages as you
see fit. I consider it a space saver, plus for the future saver, and
besides, if contribute the information, my name will be there forever,
supposedly, who knows what will happen if someone takes over my
counties. It is your work, do it your way. The same goes with the
GenConnect query boards; just keep in mind surnames on those boards are
indexed and searchable by county, state and the US.
Now, for my personal failings, which will not yet cause me to give up the
position of state coordinator. (However, winning the lotto today, would do
it, so if any of have any powers...) I know I have many, but I am also
wonderful in ways some of you do not see or understand. That is the way
of life. It does not make me the #1 State Coordinator, but I keep
trying. I allow others to keep tring and assume a few of you will allow
me the same benefit. Keep in mind, if someone took over, especially
without my approval, you will have more rules, etc. not less. We do not
even have bylaws to govern our actions or lack of them. However, if a
majority would like to change any of the above, you need only to express
yourself in open forum on WAGEN-L.
Sorry this is nearly as long as the first email. I hope you have lasted
this long. I feel strongly about what I have said, unless it was really
stupid, and about this Project and the importance of you, a county
coordinator. Most of you have worked hard over the years to get what you
have on your pages. Most have listen to what others have said and decided
how to use it best for your Project. Keep up the good work; keep working
with the researchers and trying to get the information online; keep your
eye and your time on your goal. I know most of you have a life away from
the computer, so do others; we all try to make the best use of our time,
but mine will explode from time to time; just pick up and go one. You all
have done some wonderful things with your pages. When noone says anything
about your favoritest effort, bragging is allowed and a very good thing.
If you have questions, email WAGEN-L,
Celia Tomlin
WAGenWeb Project Coordinator
Now to hit the right key!