After our meeting where we added new
members, Tim's email created some concern and several emails among
the six of us. Finally, we agreed to get together by ourselves and
see if we could agree. We did agree that maybe some formality would
be good, but we wanted to think about it. Tim did suggest not having
officers of a standard type, but a leader, a program chairperson, and
maybe one other that could fill-in when one of these could not
participate. We all agreed these would be acceptable, as we did not
want a lot of formality.
For snacks, we agreed that these should
be eliminated or if someone wanted something, they should bring their
own. We knew this may be over ruled, but this is where we wanted to
start. We all agreed that we would like to have a regular meeting
place and Tim updated the current status of none yet. We were
concerned that we had grown too fast and that some changes were
needed, but we all admitted that we may have grown too comfortable in
the way things were and that some of us were doing all the work.
We all agreed to an email Tim had
composed while we were talking, but after discussion agreed to one
change. With that, Tim sent the letter to all members outlining what
we had been approached about and some suggestions which we thought
should be considered. Tim sent it out under his name and we
suggested that anyone having other ideas should send emails to Tim.
This would be the topic of our next meeting and that everyone would
be called upon for input.
Two days later, Tim said we had
answers from everyone and they were not the same, with each one
different. They ranged from keeping the current informal setup to a
full set of officers and dues for everyone. With this, Tim selected
the meeting for Saturday and suggested everyone be present. Sue had
requested having it at her home. I knew things were not going to be
easy, but decided to wait and see.
Glen set the tone and wanted a full set
of officers, dues, and formal selected meeting dates. This was
defeated and we were sorry to see several people leave, but we had
suspected this might happen. At that point, Sue's husband commented
that we had been doing very well with our informal operations, but he
did like the idea of having a leader and a program chairperson. He felt that
that anymore was not productive for the way we had been operating.
Jason said that using emails when certain studies came out that
raised concern for quite a few members had handled the situation very
well and that Barry's program had been very appreciated.
Max said that he liked the idea of not
having snacks and thought this would prevent putting a burden on
anyone. Allen agreed and asked that we put the ideas to a vote. Tim
suggested we talk about the program chairperson first. I explained
that this would be a person that would coordinate the programs.
People that had ideas they would like to discuss would be in charge
of the program, but would let the chairperson know so that we did not
have meetings without programs unless we had something important, as
today that needed our attention. I said we needed to bring back the
hospice and the county health people and that the date was coming up.
Allen asked if he and Barry could coordinate this and possibly one
other group.
I asked if Barry would consider being
the program chairperson. Barry hesitated, and then asked if this
meant he would have the program if no one else had a topic. Tim said
not necessarily, unless he had something. Tim said that we have had
meetings with no programs and they still were interesting. Brenda
said that if we added more members a regular program might be
necessary. She commented that she had appreciated Barry's program
and the way Tim and I had assisted. She said we did not need images
like that, but under the circumstances, they were necessary to make a
point.
At that point, Jason nominated Tim for
our leader and Barry for program chairperson. Max seconded and the
vote was unanimous. Tim accepted and thanked everyone that had
stayed with the group. Barry said he would work with everyone and
asked that people consider topics after we had finished with the ones
scheduled and what Allen was working on.
A.J. asked if we could consider a
record keeper of sorts, not a secretary keeper of minutes, but more
of an historian. He said he was not aware who had started the group
and others of the members and when they had joined. Brenda thought
this would be good. Tim asked if A.J. would do this. A.J. said he
would and that he would rely on the rest of us to provide the
information.
Tim updated us in his search for a
meeting place and that presently he had not found one. Everyone had
indicated that since we were an informal group with no dues, they
would not consider letting us use their facilities. He said that he
did not feel that dues were necessary and because we had more houses
available now, maybe we could get by without being concerned. He
stated that unless he was told otherwise, that he and I were the only
two that could not hold a meeting unless if was only four of us.
At that point, Sue asked me what my
feelings were since the members that had left were ones that I had
introduced. I said I was hurt by their actions, but not surprised in
a way, considering their background. Had they accepted a lack of
formal organization I would have been happier. I said that their
background was such that snacks and dues was the accepted norm, but
that we may need dues someday, but for the present, I was not upset
to see them leave, as we seemed to function better as a group this
way. I said I am happy that we have Tim as a leader and Barry as the
program chairperson. No, I was not unhappy about anything else as I
have my blog which serves as an informal history. A.J. asked if he
could copy my blogs relating to the group and I said yes. I also
said that I would like to see a membership committee for the future.
Tim thanked me for bringing this up and asked if there was any
discussion. Since there was no discussion, Tim said that he had some
ideas for a committee and would put them in writing for approval at
the next meeting.
The next day Tim called and asked to
stop by. We talked about the membership committee and he wanted
to know why I wanted one. I said that I had brought in members that
fit and others that did not fit the group and I felt this was
something that maybe should have a committee to evaluate each on
established criteria before offering a membership. I stated that the
prospect of having the group completely torn apart still bothered me.
While I was happy that most felt the need to do something, but had
wanted to stay together was great, I did not trust my judgment after
the last meeting. Tim agreed with me that we needed a committee and
he had some ideas for criteria.
Tim did state that he was happy that
the remaining members were not anxious to have dues or snacks as he
felt this could be an added expense some could not handle, and others
really did not need as people with diabetes. Most had indicated that
they carried their own snacks as it was, because they knew the carb
count this way. He also stated that most had glucose tablets and
were glad they did not need to refuse snacks.
I suggested asking the Library for use
of their large room and then another room in another building. Tim
said that was a great idea and unless I had objections, he would
approach those responsible and see what developed.
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