Thank you for coming this evening if only out of curiosity.
Something has happened on SI which I feel merits my setting aside my personal bias towards individuals and bringing forth my thoughts. A member of SI died. A member whom I liked and on whom I placed a great deal of hope to build the bridges which would ultimately bring the estranged closer to one another if only minimally. I watched as she reached out in her own way even to those I know did not particularly care for her. She displayed a courage many of us silently envy, giving back kindness and understanding when met with adversity and misunderstanding. It would be unfair, though, to lift her to a height she did not deserve, to glorify her in a way which is unbefitting. There were those she didn't like, and although I never told her or anyone else, there was an aspect about her personal life with which I flatly did not agree. But who am I to judge especially when there
was so much about her which appealed to so many including me.
I know some of you contributed in a real way during her illness in hopes your efforts would help to bring her back to our midst. I was somewhat suspicious as to why considering those who offered their help. Laying those suspicions aside, I know the individuals who were in conflict with her must have felt some measure of dismay that her passing ended any possibility of resolving certain issues with her. I am also acutely aware, despite the
inability to resolve certain issues, the help made to another to be with the one to which I elude was not in vain. A sister was able to be with her at a critical time which may have not been possible were it not for the quick actions of a few.
Okay, we know all that right? I'm sure you also know there has been an effort made to try and memorialize the person, who has passed, in a meaningful way. Perhaps, like me, you
were unaware the effort has gone essentially nowhere considering what is possible. Now I'm thinking that because some of you gave, you don't feel you should be obligated to
offer more, or maybe it is because she did pass away that you feel you somehow failed.
Perhaps you're even thinking to what I extent I gave. On the morning of June 19th, I stopped at the bank to make the wire transfer I intended to make on a Saturday, before going onto work. I did so anonymously, making sure the money wouldn't be traced back to me. I wouldn't even make mention of it were it not for my dismay at how a memorial in her honor has slowed to the point of suggesting the desired outcome is in danger of drying up. We can't bring her back, but we can unite to keep her memory alive in a meaningful and lasting way.
It is my opinion, SI is slowly dying. I could blame it on the stuffed shirts who, through changes and blunders, have brought this decay into being. But it isn't they who are
responsible, it is us. We have let them do these things because we think as individuals we are powerless. As individuals, we are powerless. But we can unite to make SI a better place, and ultimately keep our individuality, or biases, and our cliques.
I'm asking you to consider a proposal which I have, for a long time, hoped would come into being. I want to see some sort of charitable organization created from the membership
of SI. This organization, comprised of SI members, would be for the unusual needs which may from time to time arise from the membership or those who are dear to them. Now I can certainly understand the many reasons why most would have no interest in such an idea, but I think they're forgetting three very important factors: they're here, they continue
to keep coming back, and one can't help but wonder where they would go or how their life would change dramatically if SI wasn't here. In essence, were SI not here, many social
lives could be what they were before some ever came here.
Now look around you, think about the people you've met, connected with, maintained ties with, and why. Anyone of those people or a member of their families could find
themselves in dire circumstances at any given time. And while your resources would be limited to help them, an organization based in SI could make things a little easier when such circumstances arose. Even then, you may have reservations. I swore to myself a long time ago I would never post or read the thread Penni started. I have long held a grudge against some of you for reasons I do not care to disclose. I never thought I could find a good enough reason to read the thread let alone post to it, until the passing of one of SI's members. Even though I might not lift a finger to help you personally if it were determined you had a qualifying need, I would ultimately be doing so through an organization based in SI.
You see, even if you shared the same sentiment towards me or others on SI, and never ever agreed with any of the places monies might go eminating from the organization, you would still win. You'd win because you believed in the organization's basic reason for coming into being, helping others in times of special crisis, even if you didn't like the recipients of the charity, knowing it might very well be one of you at any given time. And you would also win because you were a part of something which made a difference. No
one could ever take that away from you no matter how much they disagreed with you in other areas.
So now I am asking you (here comes the name dropping) to bring your ideas forth and the conditions on which you would contribute to such a fund. I realize there would have to be
a lot of discussion on the details until every interested party was comfortable with the organization. It will take time to put such a structure into place. It won't be an easy task by a long shot. I also propose that the current ideas be funded. The efforts of those who have carried the idea thus far should not go in vain. But there needs to be something perpetual and lasting.
Alexa, you have the gift of being able to sway the opinions of others in a positive manner or negative manner. I'm asking you to get behind this and support it. I'm asking you to make a difference for good, and for the good of us all.
Penni, you have the gift of being able to give an idea of this nature the moderation of heart. You will speak your mind when moved to do so. Please be moved and not let the
idea of a major fund raising effort sway what I'm sure you must believe in if even in a minimal way.
Michael Cummings, you're well known for your charitable giving. Please get behind this idea and tell people why this is a good thing which will ultimately benefit all of us.
Alex, please don't let apathy win. You are very good at summing up a situation and bringing ideas into consideration which might not have been given consideration. I also need you to provide the bridge to gap the differences which so
often divide us. Please help.
JP, you have the uncanny ability of summing up in five words or less a whole situation and still interject a profound wisdom.
I am also in the process of contacting other parties on SI because I realize the success of a lasting organization will require many hands. Some of these people may or may not get
along with one another. So I am asking a special favor of all of you, please set aside your differences and try to work constructively towards a common good which will ultimately benefit us all if we can make it work.
We may be forced to live under the yoke of what "the stuffed shirts" think we should have. We don't have to let it limit our abilities to make changes which will ultimately benefit us all.
I realize this will need some discussion among those of you I've asked here today. Whatever you decide, please state your opinions on the thread regardless of what you decide as individuals. I think the efforts of those who have set the wheels in motion for this project deserve to know regardless so I have let a couple of them know of my intentions.
Please, find a point at which you're comfortable, and get involved at that point. I don't need you or you, me, but we do need each other, or else we wouldn't be SI.
Caveat: As an inducement to how much I believe in this idea, I am pledging US$500.00* towards the idea provided a sum of not less than US$5000.00 be raised to
fund the initial organization. I do not wish or want to be part of any committee given the responsibility of distributing funds as a fit reason if found for doing so. I'm very aware of my personal biases and realize, with regard to certain individuals, I could not lay those biases aside.
* My gross income for 1999 was US$13,000.00. Five hundred bucks is a hefty amount for me. I believe in the idea that much.
Mike |
