Ken,
True confession: I am another lurker, making my FIRST EVER POST to the guild forum. I'm an active guild member and regularly read the forum postings. But please don't hold a paltry number of postings against board members or others. Not everyone is as digitally connected as you. Others - like myself - simply do not share your enthusiasm for posting their thoughts on public internet sites, and use other means to communicate with guild members.
But since I'm here, now:
First, I've noticed your numerous postings. Clearly you've been benefitting from both the infrastructure and the community that has been created and maintained by the guild. If I were in your shoes, I would send in my guild dues on that basis alone.
Second, it is far more productive to make suggestions than to make complaints. It should be clear to any member who's been following the weekly guild emails and Scantlings that the board is putting in a huge effort right now to get things back in order. We are beyond the point of complaining about what went wrong in the past, we need to get things right going forward and the board needs our support. Ken - please do follow up with Mike Beganyi about your concerns and suggestions, I think you'll find the current board is very open to input from current and past members.
To me, the most valuable aspect of the guild is the community that it has brought together. I've been to some conferences, a regional gathering, and participated on a couple projects. While these "events" were enjoyable and educational, I've benefitted the most from the friendships and professional relationships forged along the way.
I, too, will continue to support the guild with my membership dues, and a little something extra as circumstances allow.
- Katie Hill
