Re: MCM - Digest V1 #191

["David Lass" <davidlass@villasunscape.com>]

Hi Mary --
Good comments all. My problem is that I go back and forth from being a quiet
introvert to a babbling extrovert.
Anyway --
I just got a few credit card forms to enter, and I noticed that on two of
them they circled in the "I might be willing to help in the following areas"
Stephen Andrews of Berkshire England circled "Photos" His email is
steve.andrews@c-dilla.com
Norio Tanaka from Japan circled both "writing article" and "photos"
His email is
ntanaka@kahaku.go.jp
I wonder if you have been getting these from Jack fir US folks who send in
the forms?
Take care.
David
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary McCaw <marymccaw@mediaone.net>
To: <aga-mcm@thekrib.com>
Sent: Monday, December 13, 1999 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: MCM - Digest V1 #191


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <nfrank@mindspring.com>
> To: <aga-mcm@thekrib.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 9:00 PM
> Subject: Re: MCM - Digest V1 #191
>
>
> >
> >
> >> This type of thing which is unintentional on our part might add to the
> feeling that the organization is elitist. I have been suggesting that we
> need a volunteer or PR coordinator to help with this problem.
>
> I am sure you are right that not utilizing volunteers right away does
> contribute to TAG's being perceived as an elist organization.  I think
your
> idea of a volunteer or PR coordinator is a good one.
>
> >>Also, not everyone is outgoing and in my opinion the vast majority of
> aquarists are introverts.
>
> As an introvert myself, I appreciate where you are coming from.  If I am
> hearing you correctly, you are implying that one of the reasons we are
> having difficulty absorbing new volunteers is most of us are introverts.
> Years ago I would have agreed with you.  But after speaking with
extroverts
> directly about getting to know new people and being new in an organization
> and how it is for them, I now see things somewhat differently.  Getting to
> know new people and being new is stressful for everyone.  Introverts cope
> with the stress by being quiet, and extroverts by talking a lot.  There
are
> times when extroverts also need to get themselves "pumped up" in order to
be
> friendly.  I think that being welcoming to new people involves a
committment
> of will no matter who you are.  Having been to a lot of events in the
hobby
> over the last few years, I have enjoyed meeting new people, hearing about
> their tanks, and getting to talk about mine.  I can't say I have met a
> hobbyist, introvert or extravert, who hasn't enjoyed talking about
something
> they love.  IOM the most difficult part of running the AGA is that so much
> of our communication occurs over cyberspace.  Having dealt a lot with
> vulunteers in the past, I find it is so much easier when you can do it
face
> to face.  I have decided that when I do communicate with Cheryl, I am
going
> to call her.  This isn't as good as talking to to her face to face, but it
> will be easier for me this way rather than by cyberspace.
>
> Question, Bob.  Do we need to vote on the advertising issue?  If so, I
make
> the motion to vote on whether (a) we should seek to expand the AGA at this
> time; (b) advertise in TFH, AFM, and FAMA.  If anyone thinks that the way
I
> have worded things should be revised, that's fine with me.
>
>
> > > It was also my impression that AGA was an elitist organization before
> > I joined.  The first time I went to an AGA gathering at an NEC
convention
> > several years ago I was rather apprehensive, wondering what the people
> would
> > be like even though I already knew Karen and Jack from BAS.  I would
like
> to
> > see us work at changing this perception.
> >
> > After you met the other people, did you find us elitist?
>
>
> No, I didn't, although I still had lingering doubts.  But when I joined
the
> MC I began to see things differently, realizing that a relatively small
> group of people is trying to get a lot done on a volunteer basis when we
all
> have other committments and limited time and energy.
>
>   And if so, how? (If I was at that convention, please don't hurt my
> feelings <g>)
>
> I believe you were.  But I want you to know that from the first time I met
> you, I have always liked you and never considered you elitist.
> >
> > >I have a couple of things in mind.......
> > I like the idea... sounds like the "beginners manual" that we have been
> talking about for 8 or so years.
> > --Neil
>
> Umhum.  I think what I would like to do is have several beginners type
> articles in the first issue for 2000.  I would like to bring extra copies
to
> sell at the NEC convention which should be a great one since it is the
25th
> anniversary of NEC.  Also, perhaps we can send representatives to other
> conventions and sell extra copies there.  "The Best of TAG for Beginners"
is
> going to take a while to get done, so starting with a special "Beginner's
> Issue" has the advantage being something I can put together right away.
>
> Mary
> >
> >
>
>