LPA Today

[Guest guest]

I have watched the debate with interest concerning LPA Today. A great deal of

the questions asked could have been answered by any of the district directors. I

wonder how much contact or interaction is going on between the membership and

their district directors. If asked the district directors could have informed

their members that is not a paid editor, she is a volunteer. Also LPA

Today was one of the largest expenses in the LPA organization budget. It is hard

to find volunteers that have the ability and skills to fill the position of LPA

Today editor. LPA was fortunate to have the two prior LPA Today Editors, and we

should be proud of our current volunteer editor . I wonder how much of

the criticism comes from un-paid members, I know in the past we sent LPA Today

to paid members and un-paid prior members of LPA.

I was the district director for district 9 for two terms and was involved in the

change from a " paid " editor to a volunteer editor. The cost of LPA Today was

greatly reduced when this change was made and I commend for constently

taking cost into consideration.

LPA has funds and assets, but for the most part the funds are restricted, that

is they were donated for specific purposes and cannot be used for operating

expneses, the dues from the members pay most or all of the operating expenses,

and as I stated above LPA Today is the largest or was the largest expense when I

stepped down from district director last year. I stepped down after hosting the

Minneapolis Convention as we had just adopted a little girl from India. We are

now in the process of adopting a little girl from South America. When we get

this second adoption finalized I intend to volunteer again in some manner in

LPA. I miss my involvement in LPA and served as a volunteer for 4 years and put

in a lot of time and effort working on the financial problems and challanges in

LPA, as well as volunteering a lot of time to my duties as district director for

my district. My background and training is in accounting and taxes so this was

an area I felt my volunteer efforts would be the most effective.

One thing I do not miss is the rather harsh criticisim from individuals who are

either short on facts or misinformed. I am always amazed at the tone and how

harsh a person can be, especially in a forum such as our discussion group.

People should make comments as if they were sitting across from the person they

are talking about or to. I doubt they would use such a harsh tone or make the

same comments. It is somewhat like rude or agressive drivers, while in a car

they do things they would not do in person, like cut someone off, or yell and

scream for some precieved indiscretion. Constructive criticism or ideas are

always welcome and needed. I would ask that when giving this criticism or ideas

it be done in a polite helpful way. The easiest way to lose a " volunteer " is to

take cheap shots, or make harsh comments. Lighten up and appreciate what you

have, a dedicated, qualified, editor who is trying her best to accomplish a

difficult task. , hang in there and thanks for the effort and time you

donate to LPA.

Mike Dibben