One half hour is all I can manage today

 Wish I had less work to do and more time to rest, but this is a push to get everything ready for OCF and I know every minute counts. The yard is out of control and so many things are not getting finished, but I'll get to them in August (I say that now.)

Had thoughts about the election and was appreciative that the results were shared in the newsletter, including the many write-ins. I think this was the first year that Frog did not bet a vote. Sad. 

The negative campaigning worked well, to the shame of the historical record, and I hope this does not become the way things are done going forward. The three people targeted in written and spoken encounters with members did not get elected and their totals were much lower than they would have been. As a membership it turns out we are easily manipulated...no surprise there.  Many of us do not know each other are are willing to follow what seems easiest. We did elect some responsible people though, so I am happy to let this Board get to know each other and learn to work together. I hope each one of them takes the time to really explore the policies, guidelines, and especially the history so they feel prepared to lead us. We have plenty of challenges to navigate. 

A good portion of us, at least a third, are quite dissatisfied with how things are going and we'll soon see the effects of the recent financial decisions. The fee increase starts this weekend, and what is "just $5 more " to some might spell the end of the line for others. We always have plenty of people on the margins who really will not feel they can afford paying more for everything. The Board indicated at the Town Hall that more increases are planned, which I hope they will reconsider. 

I also want them to reconsider forcing all of us to take two weeks off in November. For anyone with a craft that is mailable, this will cost sales for sure. We lose the momentum of being a community gathering and make ourselves unavailable right as the buying season picks up, and I resent losing two important paydays. This will further increase member dissatisfaction, as staff will still get paid...they will not be laid off for two weeks. Holiday Market should not be driving the Park Blocks choices. I knew when one November market was cancelled, that would start a bad trend. It was misrepresented then and now is just being ignored. 

As we saw this last Saturday, weather is a real factor and although a lot of people came, we all got wet, and we all made a bit less and the crowds attracted to all of the downtown events did not necessarily translate to a crafts-buying crowd. I did fine, but everything did have to be dried out so I spent Sunday hanging bags outside with the popup, walls and weights all needing to be in the sun. Fortunately we had sun on Sunday. But it added up to less income for the day for the Market, and with Pride moved to the Fairgrounds, we may see fewer sales this week as well, and we haven't even gotten to the high heat and smoke days we may get this summer. We just are not guaranteed solid income. 

We're willing to work for it. It would help if we as members felt that we were in a team with our power structure so let's hope this new Board will be able to turn that feeling on again for us. I'm always optimistic.

I like this new FB group that will focus on helping members understand the policies, structure, and how organizations can work in healthy ways to meet the needs of the members. A mutual benefit membership organization is a rarity and ours is very precious, so we want to protect it from erosion of the values and goals that will keep us thriving. We need all the methods and opportunities people are willing to try. I support the group and look forward to contributing as soon as I am not so busy and can have time. I suppose I will stay on FB a little longer to see about efforts like that.

Not commenting in the official members group though. I don't need that kind of bullying in my life.

See you Saturday!