[stylist] Response to Chris

Mon Oct 29 12:47:20 UTC 2012

Chris, when the idea of members volunteering to teach a class or do a 
presentation on a topic or genre that they personally enjoy and want to 
share - you came immediately to my mind.  I have only been on this list for 
a little over a year, but you are one of the people who really stand out 
here as being so positive and encouraging to the members on this list.  I 
can surely understand how disappointing it would be to do the work involved 
with the writing prompts and then get no feedback at all, or just a minimal 
comment.  It is disheartening.

There is so much potential here in the members on this list. Personally, 
right now, I am beginning to feel very excited about that potential - of 
members being willing to share through teaching a class in this way, over 
the phone.  Then, with a follow up of posting class notes and communications 
with each other on Face Book, it is just the icing on the cake.

After a year of being on here, I ahve had some terribly negative experiences 
personally, but I really know that the potential for something really 
exciting is beginning to come through and that this group can be cohesive 
and thoughtful and that there can be positive friendship building that can 
happen.  I was very surprised and also very happy when Eve brought forth 
this idea along with the ways in which it can happen for us all to enjoy our 
time in the group more fully.

The reason I am so positive about this idea, is that it is very much like 
the way the NFB Krafters-Korner group works. Joyce Kane has put together a 
dynamic and positive group that is now 5 years into the process. It grows 
stronger and better with each year - I think this is my 4th year in this 
group.  There were a couple of situations during those four years when one 
or two members were so negative that others did not want to participate any 
longer - but Joyce was able to weather through that turmoil and those couple 
of members who had "control issues" and were so negative disappeared after 
the rest of the group continued on with their positive and fun times 
together.  Today, the group that Joyce started is trhiving and strong, and 
the people are very involved - they had over 35 classes last year - all 
taught by phone.  They have a presence on FB private page as a follow up to 
classes where they post photos and links and comments - they hav a website 
and everything anyone can want to know about the group is posted on the 
website. It's wonderful.

All this leads me to believe that under the dynamic and positive direction 
of Eve, that we, too, can do this!  I believe that there are lots of current 
members who would like to be more active here and they have so much to 
offer.  And, you, Chris, are a gem here on this list and I have GREATLY 
appreciated your hard work and efforts - and HOPE you'll be one of the 
people to TEACH a CLASS in the coming year.

Lynda

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Kuell" <ckuell at comcast.net>
To: "Stylist" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 5:25 PM
Subject: [stylist] writing prompts, welcome, and facebook

> Firstly, I'd like to welcome Aine. I hope your exams go well, and that you 
> have a fabulous summer as we in the US are preparing for old man Winter.
>
> Eve, my gut reaction is to politely decline your request and wish you all 
> the best in attempting to breathe some much needed life into this group. 
> We've tried doing this through writing prompts a number of times, and at 
> best we get maybe 5% participation. For those who spend hours writing a 
> piece to share with the group, it's very disheartening  when nobody reads 
> or responds . Although I'm a cynic, I'm also a bit of an optimist, so I'll 
> agree to give it one more try. I'll come up with a writing prompt for the 
> group for November, and we'll see how it goes. I'd love to read a dozen or 
> more responses, and it would be fantastic if folks would give constructive 
> feedback so we can all grow in our craft. The one caveat is that I live in 
> Connecticut, about 20 miles from the coast, and we are expected to get 
> slammed by hurricane Sandy tomorrow. Schools have already been cancelled 
> through Wednesday, and it's likely we will lose power. So, if I don't post 
> a prompt on November 1, I'll get to it as soon as the power is back on.
>
> Lastly, if the group decides to move to facebook for interactions, that's 
> great, but I won't be joining in. I have a facebook account, and use it to 
> promote my writing and on occasion to share things with my friends, but my 
> experience of facebook is that it's primarily a time sucker, and not very 
> meaningful to me.
>
>
> Until next time,
>
> chris
>
>
>
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