Dan writes,
> I don't think it makes much
> difference now because of the relatively small number of adherents. I mean
> right now being state contact has meant little more than (perhaps) getting
> an email or two from interested people in one's state....

Yes, but none of us know how fast this will grow... least of all the
newcomers. My conversations with the former contacts for my neighboring
states led me to believe that this unknown aspect was at least partly to blame
for their reluctance to be the responsible person.

> even if the number of people grows
> appreciably... I don't know... I wonder what it will entail - probably not
> that much even when it grows.

In reality, very little. I mean all the basic info is there on the web site.
I've had several people contact me already. Aside from quickly giving them
the basic facts, the most important thing I felt I could do was try to convey
the enthusiasm and grass roots appeal that this group has built itself on.
Kinda like when you move to a new town and (hopefully) you get the "Welcome
Wagon" treatment from the whole neighborhood... but then it's nice if you can
sit for a few minutes with your next-door neighbor and have a cup of coffee.
This is the kind of personal touch the State contact(s) can provide that is
hard to duplicate in a "pre-packaged" way.

> ....some people may like the left-hand map
> (the contact map) and may not want it changed. I think if we do change it
> should just be that clicking on a state would give you the option of
> contacting several people instead of just one person. I think that's what
> your saying in essence, right?

Exactly. If we set up 50 miniature talk lists (one for each state) we could
just replace the contact person's email address with the address for the state
talk list. Then, an inquiry for the state of Iowa, for instance, would be
forwarded to anyone and everyone interested in greeting a new person from that
state. For states that do not yet have a contact person, some of the more
active members could volunteer to be on the list for each state in their area.
Then, we could go ahead and color in ALL the states in the left hand map. For
instance, I might want to be included in the lists for Oregon, California,
Washington, Idaho... maybe even Kansas and Nebraska!!! And you, or Thom, or
anyone else might want to be included on the lists for some of those same
states. Then, when California eventually ends up with ten or twenty other
people on its list, I might choose to unsubscribe from that particular list.

Imagine how exciting it could be for someone who has just discovered the hobby
to send a simple message requesting info... only to be greeted by two or three
or half a dozen people in their area who are already involved. Much better
than receiving a reply from a single individual who may or may not have the
time to deal with their request at that particular moment.

Sincerely, Mitch

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