Apathy is the great enemy of our common lives. We live amidst a sea of apathy on many levels. How many times have you heard, (or said), "Oh it will happen anyway so what is the point of protesting"? Even the local rector has questioned what is the point of writing letters to the press and objecting to the tide of bad decision making facing the people, (Rectors Blog Oct 2009)
The point of protesting has already been discussed and found to be effective. Not only do agencies engage with groups like the Friars' Community Group, they are keen to do so. We may not always agree and community groups may not always get what we ask for, but there is a better chance of success if we have a voice.Even in the few years the Friars' Community Group has been going , we have been a powerful negotiating force with agencies and even though we don't always win the war, we win the occasional battle. This alone demonstrates that it is not ony proper, but appropriate we continue to work. Heed not the voice of miser! 'What is the point?' We have evidence that there is a point.
Joining our group, either as an interested observer or as an active participant
commits you to nothing more than being ready and willing to meet up once in a while
to share ideas, (we know we don't have the monopoly on good ideas and yours could
be the best one we haven't heard yet), and to be prepared to drop a few flyers through
peoples' doors maybe.
Our goal is that we speak on your behalf, not because we think we know better than you, but because we want to know what you think. If you don't tell us what you think, anything we do on your behalf is guesswork. Telephone, write, e-mail, visit the Friars Feedback page, or, even stop us in the street and talk to us. Many people do stop us in the street and raise their concerns, and this is often the genesis of our dialogue with agencies.
Our membership increases every year. We must be doing something right. Join us and add your weight to the buttons we push.
Be aware that for the Friars Community Group to exist and thrive it needs elected officers. NO organisation profits from the same people running the thing year in year out. At some point the Treasurer, Secretary and Vice Chairman all have to resign and new blood has to replace them. Without such elected officers, the organisation will wither on the vine. If the Friars Community Group is to exist, someone, maybe you, will need to step forward and take up the cudgels.
