[Assam] associations etc.

[Alpana Sarangapani]

Although you wanted to end that string, I'm still intrigued and wanted to just add my final thoughts.   >DD: If my certification means anything at all, you are very much a part of the Houston Assamese community  >and the Assamnet community.   Thank you. I appreciate that.   >Now, to be a part of an "association" community, as you know, one has to be a paying member. Why paying >membership? Mainly so that there is fund from membership dues and so that the association is run based on   I guess this does not apply to me. At this point, I am not interested in being a paid or unpaid member of any association.   >the votes allotted to the members. "Associations" are needed to continue the community activities year after >year without interruption, and monetary and voluntary time contributions from members are needed so that the   You are right. While I am not against forming associations that have the community as a focus, relating to the above, I was wondering how members benefit (intrinsic or otherwise). Having multiple associations is a big turn off and also is wastage of money and other resources, especially taking into account all the redundancy that occur. Don't you think so?   >the associations are very dependent on  contribution from members and I request the "fence-sitters" to be part >of an "association", any association for that matter. MIND YOU, THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST TO ALL >READING THIS EMAIL, WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND.   As far as I understand, even a member of an association can be a fence-sitter (have nothing against the term, but it is just hilarious to see some people thinking of themselves as the 'important persons from the in-group' and in turn, distancing themselves from these fence-sitters - many in Houston/Texas itself), and I will tell you why they are that, from my experience: there were a number of times when we thought we should also join this or that association, but frankly the biggest turn-off we have had is the attitude of a few who are in the "lead" or  wannabes.   This attitude alone is making many fringe  members want to get out and of course, and turning some others into a part of the scenery - the dormant fence-sitters. I grant you this: some will always take the lead while others will never want to, so we can't always blame the proactive ones, but all they need is an adjustment in attitude. That I think, would attract would-be members and make associations stronger. BTW, I am not saying these problems are symptomatic of one association alone.   Again, in this regard, I think you are one of the few who can be appraoched. I also think you're practical and will take the above as constructive criticism from a close community member.                 ----- Original Message ----- From: D Deka To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 5:43 PM Subject: Re: [Assam] Re: Community Work and Volunteerism Alpana, Thanks for your trust in me and calling me friendly. I have a couple of comments on your last paragraph only, to close the string on this subject. Also, I thought I am part of the community, just NOT a member of ANY of the associations - because I can't afford or decide which ONE to choose of these associations of a handful people of Assam.   DD: If my certification means anything at all, you are very much a part of the Houston Assamese community  and the Assamnet community. Now, to be a part of an "association" community, as you know, one has to be a paying member. Why paying membership? Mainly so that there is fund from membership dues and so that the association is run based on the votes allotted to the members. "Associations" are needed to continue the community activities year after year without interruption, and monetary and voluntary time contributions from members are needed so that the activities get organized in a timely and smooth manner. I am not recommending any particular "association", but the associations are very dependent on  contribution from members and I request the "fence-sitters" to be part of an "association", any association for that matter. MIND YOU, THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST TO ALL READING THIS EMAIL, WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND.   I have no comments if NOT being a member of any of the ORGANIZATIONS means not being a member of the community. I am a member of Assam Net - where one can get equal "power/position". I can live with that. DD: For the first part please see my response above. I didn't understand the "equal power/position" part though. Every "association" has a voting system which provides equal right (is that synonymous with power/position?) to its members. If power/position in official capacity is what one desires in one of the associations, all one has to do is to take an active part in it and other members will soon recognize that person in their midst.As I stated in another email before, the associations seem to have a difficult time finding willing office bearers who can spare the time. I don't know about the other organizations but I can tell you that it is so in at least one organization- AANA. There is a misconception that a few people want to hog the "limelight" in these "associations". Can we say this is true when every two years there is a totally new executive committee? Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!