Zerka's response

[edwschreiber at earthlink.net]

Dear Patti,
I cannot thank you enough for asking for and getting
Zerka Moreno's perspective.  I am not without opinion
since I believe Zerka has the wealth of history
no one else can give to us.  Best,   Ed

-----Original Message-----
>From: PATRICIA DESERT <honeybwomn at msn.com>
>Sent: Apr 17, 2007 8:04 PM
>To: GrouptalkNewAddress <List at grouptalkweb.org>
>Subject: Zerka's response
>
>Dear Grouptalkers--here is Zerka's response to my request for her thoughts on the question "Is ASGPP dying?"  Patti
>
>I am not going to get involved in "she says", "he says" and
>"I said," or take time to go on group talk.  If this goes there,
>that's fine with me.
>
>I have expressed my concern about the ASGPP in the past
>to the officers, that we needed to be more democratic, inclusive
>and also efficient. In fact, there had been steady erosion of
>membership although recently we were informed that, due to
>the internet connection, membership is now picking up.  There
>were no numbers given, just a general statement made. So
>just how well are we doing in that area?  
>
>There are several problems that are immediate and should be
>remedied. The printed program of the conference is mailed out
>too late. It arrived at my house a bare few months before the
>April date.  The BPA, not endowed with any more funding than
>we, sends out their program 6 months ahead.  Programs on the
>net are fine, but even if I'm old fashioned, I like to have it in hand.
>I have been informed that registration is not going as well as is
>desirable, although in NY City there is usually a rather good size
>walk-in registration.  Could it be that we are too little and too 
>late?  We need to look at our own sociometry and break up subgroups which dominate the scene. 
>
>Professionals need time to plan ahead.  Giving out dates and place at the conference is not enough; people are pressured and going to our meetings is expensive. The rates for registration and workshops are high.  
>
>The program needs to get organized, finalized  and mailed out well before the conference.
>
>We are a group who feel passionate about Moreno's spirit and getting together is important. It is also a financial sacrifice.  We
>are not a centrally needed group for professionals to become
>licensed. People come because they want to be there and they
>have no outside financial support these days.
>
>The reception to contributions to the program needs to be more
>equitable. I liked the choices on the program but was upset to hear
>later that some contributions were turned down for lack of space or
>because they already were on the program, yet looking at it clearly
>there were a number of people who appeared more than once. And
>while I admire the input from the legal profession, why were those
>persons twice on the program?  That is dishonest and I have so
>stated.  How are such decisions made?  What are the guide lines?
>There is general concern about this.
>
>I think there is a danger that we do not offer enough to poor, young students.  The future is theirs. If we are not flexible enough,
>inclusive and fair to our current membership, there is a danger that the downhill slide will take hold again.  In the past we used to let students in for free and they came. Maybe a far more modest fee
>is needed.  But, the publicity needs to be done, to let them know we are there and what we stand for.
>
>I do not think that the Council allows the Executive Director the
>space he needs to be effective and give his input. 
>
>There have been improvements on the program in welcoming the
>newcomers; are there other ways in which they can be included?
>
>I realize that all the work is a genuine labor of love, that everyone
>involved is pressured. But let's not forget what gives the spark
>to our organization. If we are not spontaneous and creative, how
>can we account for ourselves? 
>
>What would our lives be like if we did not have Moreno's spirit in 
>our own world?
>
>I miss being able to go to the conference but send you all my 
>very best.
>
>Zerka