Taking Care of Business

One big rock to overcome is transitioning traditional local activities and events from fully locally operated to locally planned/nationally supported. Over the past year the Guild office transitioned the Guild Cake Project (adding Halloween and Valentine's care packages). For the most part, the transition was smooth and successful. With the Guild football stand, that means local members will continue to staff and prepare the stand for operation and the Guild office will pay the bills. We've been working on this transition since January and this fall we test it. Also this year, we're considering how to continue summer events that many cherish.

A Guild Board committee, the Member Originated Activities committee, has worked through some procedures to announce to members in August. We couldn't take on ALL activities at once. With fair and consistent practices in place, EVERY member will have an opportunity to coordinate Guild activities (before only groups with local checking accounts could which alienated Four Winds members). Though it will be a little rocky, I anticipate the members will understand and appreciate this better business practice.

Even with this confidence, it has been difficult to field the doom and gloom members feel about disbanding local checking accounts. I hear, "Well, we will miss not being able to get together." Being more optimistic, I see every reason to continue to gather. A lot of emotional energy has been spent on convincing people that we will work with any Guild member seeking to coordinate an activity that furthers the mission of the Guild. I wish people could see the big picture, have patience and have faith.