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Across the Fence:  I need advice  |
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SDPogue
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Sara
Pullman
Washington
USA
27 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 12:23:24 PM
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| I was the president of our local women's group. The group was designed to bring women together and provide some community service. Over the years the group has struggled with a negative image (some feel the group is too exclusive and some feel they gossip too much - I have not really seen either as a member). As president I was working to revamp the groups image and bring some real togetherness in the group - I, also, introduced the farmgirl chapter to them with the hopes of including more women through this. Our first meeting of the new year was this week (we break for summer) and I was informed that the ladies wished to disband. I am not sure if this has been something discussed over the summer but I did know we were losing members and recruitment was getting harder with the groups negative image. The loss of this group is just one more disintegration of our community. How can I bring back some life to our community? How can I get the farmgirl chapter up and going here? I sent out 9 certificates from our first kit (I kept one) and thought the interest was significant enough to order a second and then I am ambushed with this no one wants to participate. It's not personal to the farmgirl chapter - no one wants to participate in anything. We can barely get our town council to show up to the meetings. |
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blanket of stars
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Kat
Hancock
NH
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 1:13:51 PM
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| I had a similar problem after starting a political group in town. The town is very active (politically) and the town committee didn't seem to be interested in meeting, so I went ahead. First few times ok, then very spotty attendance. I finally closed it down, as I was spending too much time and money preparing for the meetings. I don't think it's you, or the meeting; I think - I KNOW - people are just very busy and thus, also very tired. It has to be something really special to get them out. I'm sorry, because I know how disappointed you must be. |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 3:24:46 PM
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| Did the women's group meet during the day or the evening? (Both have drawbacks.) How many women were in the group? Is there even a nucleus left -- 4-5 gals -- who may be interested in continuing? I'd try to keep it going somehow -- perhaps host a tea for those who are interested, and see if you can get a few more recruits for the next month. What kind of community service projects do you? If you can come up with something for the community that would make a splash, you might get more positive feedback and a better image for the group. I'm interested in how you do. I volunteer at our Historical Society and getting enough staff for our shop is always difficult; women seem to be so busy these days. And community comes after home, family, church, school, etc. Good luck to you. |
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DeborahJean
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
Deborah
Spokane
WA
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 7:37:53 PM
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Hi Sara,
Sorry to hear that your group is having troubles. My husband and I are moving to the Davenport area this week, and I am hoping to get involved with my neighbors, but am not sure what the social climate is going to be like. I am also trying to find out if there is a farmgirl chapter anywhere in my vicinity. I am likewise very interested in community, and would love to join up with kindred spirits. It looks like you are about an hour away from me - what chapter do you belong to?
Deborah |
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SDPogue
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Sara
Pullman
Washington
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 9:37:06 PM
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I started an Endicott chapter. I'd love to meet fellow farmgirls. Our community has soooooooo much potential but as I was talking with my aunt we realized it's never really had a sense of community. Our women's group has run for 22 years so maybe it was time to revamp and start something new. My husband and I are trying to start a new community group and maybe we need to really get people together for fellowship as well as community service. The thing about the women's group is that men have nothing like it so it felt a little off balanced. Granted at the time it began they were all stay at home moms.
See what I have been up to in my community. www.geocities.com/sdpogue |
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quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 4:07:59 PM
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Sara:
I remember reading a while back in the Farm Girl Connection, about an active group of ladies doing to great things in St. John. That's not too far from you is it? Maybe you could join up with them? Or get ideas from them.
Nancy |
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quilt8305
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Mary
Spokane
WA
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 7:28:09 PM
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Sara,
Maybe the way to get the group started is with a specific project - blankets for babies in the hospital, meals for elderly, fundraising for a local school, "Reading Grandmas" in elementary schools is big here - something that gives a sense of purpose. If bonds are formed then maybe from that it would take off.
Mary
The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Wm. James |
Edited by - quilt8305 on Oct 06 2005 7:29:05 PM |
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Across the Fence: I need advice |
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I need advice
