I'm not sure if I should post this yet, but here goes.

[murielm99]

Some of you know that I have been our Democratic Central Committee chair for several years. I was our treasurer for many years before that. As treasurer, I learned a lot about campaign finance laws and how we figure in the grand scheme of things statewide. I also saw trends and came up with some ideas about how we could do better financially so that we could help elect Democrats. That is a big part of why I became chairman.

My chairmanship is not without controversy. I discovered that one person was doing us a lot of damage, both financially, and in terms of helping get the vote out and campaigning for local and national candidates. I was surprised that so many of our problems led back to one woman, a doctor's wife who dabbles in politics. She quit because I fought openly with her. But she is popular and rich. I could lose my job over this.

If that happens, it is their loss. I will find another place in politics, and I won't always have to feel like I am waging warfare.

Anyway, something else has happened. I have replied in another thread about our local SHARE program, and how much good it does here to feel low income families. (BTW, SHARE is not restricted to low income people. It is a great help to anyone trying to save on groceries).

SHARE was started here about thirty years ago by a good man named Thurston. I always admired his dedication to the poor and to our community. When he died, someone else took over SHARE. She has had it. It is becoming too frustrating for her, and it takes too much of her time, so she is quitting.

This is no time economically to abandon the poor and unemployed. We need this program, even if this poor woman has been exhausted by her years of running it.

I am organized. My life needs purpose. I am a hard worker, used to giving thousands of volunteer hours to things that are meaningful to me. Maybe I could do this.

Of course, I would need help. Maybe the local food pantry, the council of churches, the township, or some others might help. They say that when one door closes, another opens. Maybe I should do this.

[RevCheesehead]

1. Do you mean doing both jobs, or changing jobs?

I can see how there might be potential problems with this particular woman, especially if SHE's "personalized" your disagreements with her in the past. You might want to offset any potential pconflict ahead of time, by going to her and asking what the job was like, what needs improvement in her opinion, and what advice she might have to offer. In other words, by being proactive, you may sidestep completely any problems that may arise.

My personal opinion is that I think you'd do a splendid job with SHARE!!! In fact, I think you've probably been thinking about this for quite a while....I even thought so in the other thread.

If politicians will not help the poor, then maybe this is your calling to make a significant difference in the lives of many hurting people. They need a face of compassion and understanding, someone who knows how hard it is out there.

You have a chance here to "be like Thurston" by "being Muriel." I am thrilled at the idea!!!! :woohoo:

You'll be in my prayers as you sort it all out.

Ruth :hug:

[murielm99]

2. I could only do one job at a time.

I have been worrying about losing my political job. I have concluded that it would not be the end of the world for me if I am not reelected.

At first, I thought that I should try to find another job in local or state politics, because I have many contacts and years of experience.

I did the political work because I believed in something. But maybe I don't need to be in politics at all. Maybe I should be doing something else for the community.

The woman who was my problem in Democratic politics is not the same person as the one who is quitting the SHARE program. The SHARE lady, Shirley, is a friend of mine. She is simply tired and having a hard time making SHARE work. Shirley is an unselfish lady. The other lady cares only about her own advancement, not about getting Democrats elected or keeping corruption out of local politics.

Maybe my experience as an organizer and my contacts in the community could help keep SHARE afloat. I am not sure. I would need help. Maybe I would only act as a catalyst before getting another group to take it over. The main thing is to keep it going.

Amazing, isn't it, how we get hurt when we are only trying to help. I know that happened to me politically. It happened to Shirley, who was left to run SHARE almost single handedly. I know it happened to you in your last church.

I don't know yet what I will do. Thank you for remembering me in your prayers.

[RevCheesehead]

3. Oh, thanks for clarifying that.

All I can advise is to follow your heart.

Your observation about getting hurt when trying to help hit the nail on the head. I don't know why that is, because we should be honoring good intentions, not slapping people for trying to make a difference. Then again, when you know in your heart that you are right, don't let others get in the way of what you're trying to do.

Perhaps you can get some ideas by talking with the local pastors. They might know someone who would like to run the program, but could really use your help in organization and reaching out. It might take a couple of people at first just to get things back on track. I also thought that you guys were supposed to be getting help from the participants of SHARE. Who knows who's waiting in the wings to be asked to come forward? There might yet be ANOTHER Thurston! :)