Outside Perspectives

[autumnluv143]

If you consider the fact that I have no deep inside connection to anything in particular in my life, almost everything I view is from an outside perspective in one form or another. I just sat and read through some emails regarding policies and involvement in the local area and immediately began to form these "views."

I'm not a paying member of either club. I believe I can count on one hand how often I've been to one of them. i fully admit that my opinion should not matter based on that alone. However, I can't see where my past involvement should matter in the slightest if I have an view on how the club itself or actions of the council members. I only say this because I have an interest in how well that place does. I would like to see it thrive. I would like to see it lose the historical problems that it seems to face on such a regular basis that it becomes exhausting to revisit them over and over again. I'm not willing to become involved because I don't want the negativity to effect anything else in my life. but i would like it to succeed so that the GNO will have a place to call home. A place that they are happy and excited to invite their friends to. Unfortunately, as I am not a paying member of the club, I'm unable to express my opinions. The council and other members tend to frown upon that. C'est la vie.

You see, I am an observer. It's what I do. I observe all the time. I am not going to say that my observations are always unselfish, unmotivated, pinnacles of objectivity or even always right. But I will say that if I'm viewing it one way and I'm pretty aware that you can't judge a situation based on it's first impression, there's a pretty hefty chance that others are viewing it the same way or worse. Besides that, I'm really just not wrong in what I see very often. And when I am, I try to make amends of it (try is the operative word there).

Ok, now seeing as how I've gotten the basic disclaimers out of the way, I'm going to lay down what I've seen in the last year happening with the poor, affected, disillusioned council of this club. The ideas were great. The got into their positions and put on the boxing gloves and were prepared to fight for what they believed would turn that place around! It was an amazing amount of buzz and energy that followed these dreamers around with them as they spoke. It was almost refreshing. I even had a sort of incredulous hope there for awhile that they might succeed. I think that where they made their mistake right from the beginning was not believing that past prejudices, negativity and (I'm sorry) stupidity are things that are incredibly contagious. 

Perhaps it was not taken into consideration the fact that when you hear complaints everyday from anyone who has any interest (no matter how small and mundane) in something that you are only superficially in charge of/responsible for, eventually, your opinions on those complaints change, and not always for the good. Perhaps it was underestimated the amount of animosity that has been held towards past councils. Just because they were new doesn't mean old grudges don't stand firm. Maybe it's just that life gets in the way of making sound decisions regarding a group of people that you just don't get to see very often.

For all the many and varied reasons there could be why the council is now feeling begrudged, angry, sullen and depressed over the club and it's members, one thing remains firm, they let it get to them. It being all of it, the animosity, the lack of concern, the spoiled rotten attitudes of those who have gotten their ways for far too long and the nastiness emanating from those who've been sick of it just as long. It was apparent a month or so ago when a simple request to give some kind of advanced warning of the events of the club turned into a bit of a flame war between members, non-members and council members alike. 

There are so many things that could be done to improve the quality of service that the club could provide to the community. What seems to be missing is either the knowledge or concern of that being what the purpose of the club should be. To serve the community. It's supposed to serve as a foundation for those that practice, in any sense, TTWD. To be an educational background for those willing to expand their knowledge...or share it for that matter. It's there to serve as a gathering place, a peaceful place, a place of laughter, happiness and camaraderie. And it's sad to say that when only once a year, there are only 7 people who are willing to take on that knowledge and attempt to do something about it. It's also sad that in 6-8 months from those 7 people taking on new roles, and fighting old fights, they too become disappointed in that lack of concern from the community as a whole and began the decline into negativity and "Oh fuck it, what's the point anyway?"

For the sake of the community at large that holds ties in and out of Louisiana, I hope that the club can, for once and for all, pull their heads out of their hind parts and put their best foot foward in order to do what's right by that community. Stop asking permission if you have to. Just take over and make the decisions that are necessary to make. If you don't have the time, energy or ability to do so, and you're a member, then go to the meetings and vote. Even if you like the way things are, go to the meetings and vote. Let your voice be heard, but do it without anger, frustration or bitterness. The council is not there to serve you as an indentured servant. It is there to serve the community as a whole. But the members need to do their part as well.

Ok, I believe I've said my peace. Now I can concentrate on something else.

Comments

[tsenre.livejournal.com]

As usual, a very well written and thought piece. Thanks

[sttatus-quo.livejournal.com]

Nicely written, balanced and very true.

I have opinions, of course, but they are based in some very harsh experience. Clubs founded in retaliation to another club's actions by a split are often not set up in wholesome ways.

I certainly learned my lesson about club politics. :)

[beaten-grace.livejournal.com]

I'm perturbed that someone flat out asked on the list what this was all about and hasn't received a response yet. To that i say, "pbbbbbbbbbbbt." If those people wanted what they say they want they'd make the information accessible. Not that I would go anyway, but I don't feel that I would respond well to strong arm tactics to get me involved. My involvement ship sailed the day I was lied to.

[kjaereste.livejournal.com]

This is a voice that does need to be heard. A constant cry in the wilderness to remind those that are lost for the moment, why they began their journey.

Thank you for posting this and please, keep speaking out!