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<DIV>Jez >It's all very well signing up on a rota and doing an
hours stint and then disappearing, but some of us realise that
there is far more that needs to be done and that Jez >just doesn't cut
it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There is much talk at Matilda of inclusivity
and trying to get new people involved and this kind of attitude - which
I've also heard expressed by others (so this isn't a rant specifically at Jez) -
is such a huge barrier to participation by anyone who simply doesn't have that
kind of time. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Anyone with health problems, caring
responsibilities or whatever, or just those who want to dip their toe
in, gets the message: 'don't bother'. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Creating a culture where only the full time
activist, or person able to give X amount of time to a project, is
considered good enough is so alienating to those who can't or don't want
to. And such a<FONT face=Arial size=2>n all or nothing approach ends up
making projects like Matilda the preserve of an exclusive clique (who
then bemoan the fact that no-one new gets involved). Whereas if everyone
who passed though Matilda actually did an hours stint - that would be alot of
hours!</FONT>
<DIV>Lets try and keep a more open inclusive attitude. W</FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2>e should be able to allow people to give as they can and want
and over time most will give more when they can (including doing the level of
organisation/co-ordination/work that Jez refers to and that others also
realise is needed, but possibly aren't able to do right now).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Becky</FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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