Always good to here from you Jesse and even more enjoyable to hear
such a diverse point of view.
I don't think there is a simple answer to the question otherwise it
would be so simple to resolve, any idiot would have resolve the
problem already. Here is my two cents, i think it is more human
nature than anything else - we don't scratch unless we itch. First we
need to recognize the itch and then decide whether we can tolerate it
or need to stop and scratch it. If we do decide to scratch it, how
many of us actually take further steps to do more than satisfy their
own itch.
I remember the first snow fall this year early in the morning, no
sanding trucks in sight. On an off ramp from University Drive to 16th
Avenue was a pile of vehicles trying to ascend the ramp. Don't know
if it was stupidity or a surge of testosterone (not sure if there is a
difference), I thought I could succeed where others failed and got
stuck myself. A couple of SAIT students aided in pushing me up the
ramp. After I got to the top, I pulled over and spent the next couple
of hours working with the guys pushing vehicles up the ramp until my
hands froze from not wearing gloves. Of the people we helped, I am
sure most of them were grateful we were there, some thanked us
verbally but I don't recall any that got out to repay the kindness.
This is just an observation, but the situation is similar to CLUG.
The list has been down for some time now, but look who were the people
that first responded, not people that typically need help but people
who recognized the itch, did something for themselves and more
importantly are continually doing something for others. Much of that
comes equally from passion and wanting to create a community as these
individuals certainly give in magnitude over what they receive.
In the brief history of CLUG that I am aware of, there are individuals
that are not among those that have responded yet but they would have
been the first in their own time. Unfortunately there have been many
leaders (by their action, not their position) from our past that have
done more than scratch their itch, but other obligations eventually
take over.
Solutions are never simple and will be varied but there will be
similarities in the fundamentals. It will take everyone to do a bit
more than just scratch their own itch. It will take more than coming
up with action plans or wish lists as to what we can do - it will take
individuals to step up with vision, personal commitment and energy in
equal measure.
Lastly, my hats off to those leaders (by their action, not their
position) both past and present that have scratched more than their
own itch.
Regards,
Kin
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