a new idea...what do you think?

SO. . .Think about this. . .we have 238 neighbors in this email circle. . .

We have far more e-participation than we have in-person at our meetings (which can have anywhere from 3 to 30 show). I am proposing a new format that will keep us still in physical contact with eachother but will change the face to face meeting to a lower frequency (quarterly). Our events and projects will keep us in contact on a more-than-monthly basis.

The big thing from this that will keep us active and moving in our projects is this. . .since we have so many people who stay involved via email (while a lot of people come to meetings, I get a lot more of response from some people whom have never been to a meeting) -- I want to send out a monthly letter/question checking in and asking that every one of us -- all 238 (yeah, I know it is idealistic, but so?!) -- say one or two things they feel is important to have everyone else hear or think about. An offer, a question, a concern, an idea, an event, a proposed project calling out for a group to help make it come through.

The regular people assigned to projects can update in that email question letter, too.

We give a few days to respond (I will have a date) and I will send a 2nd letter with everyone's info honed down for us all to be informed of.

I think it would be worth it to find a few people in touch with non-emailing people to get their voice heard -- also the homeless people living here. Dave Kim who does our outreach may have some good ideas on who can represent for the homeless people because they connect with so many homeless through their church -- others receiving this email may be a great resource -- speak up if you want to be that point person.

If we do this right and if you all respond even more then this could be a very active group in this format. Can you imagine what we could get done if ALL 238 respond and get active?!

Our presenters can come to the quarterly meetings and can always give us info to distribute via email if it is a time issue. ALSO, it was suggested (we discussed this in our last meeting last night) that we meet a little longer than our usual 1 hour.



We need to really set our annual/monthly events so we all can plan and we need a few more people on our events crew so we don’t overwhelm Besty and Skye (Betsy is having a baby soon, so she will really appreciate a bigger crew).


SO. . .

Monthly email question/answer & update
Monthly events
Quarterly in-person meetings, 2 hours and a potluck (January, April, July & October) (possibly on the first Tuesday or Sunday of those months)

OHTER ideas you have to brainstorm and improve on this new format, please give them!

Hope you are great.

MUCH friendship!!!,

Sasha