LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Getting Involved |
by Murray Archibald |
Becoming an active member of the community is not something that just happens, it takes making a choicea conscious choice to become more involved in the activities, programs, projects and events around us. Over the last two years, members of the CAMP Rehoboth Project Advisory Committee have been making the choice to become more involved in the work of the community through their work at CAMP Rehoboth.
The Project Advisory Committee was developed to be the place where members of the community can take part in the work of CAMP Rehoboth. The Project Advisory Committee is the parent of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project, The Women's Project, The Gay Men's Health Project and other projects and programs of CAMP Rehoboth. All these things are happening because of the tireless work of volunteers who give of their time, their talents, and their boundless energy. All of these things are happening because individuals have made the choice to give creative time and effort to their development. CAMP Rehoboth's most ambitious project to date, the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project, is being built on that kind of commitment. The CRCCP is only happening because members of our community felt it was the next step in building the community needed for the future. Over the last couple of months the CRCCP has received a tremendous boost, both in finances and publicity, because of the successful kick-off of its Founder's Circle and five year capital building fund campaign. That boost comes because so many people are stepping up saying, "Yes! Count me in, I want to be a part of this program." Raising the money needed for the Community Center is only a part of the process, however. It also takes a constant reaching out to the members of the community, a constant education, a constant involvement. At every step along the way it has, and always will, take the conscious choice of individuals who want to get involved. I think that in some ways, all of us who have been closely associated with the CRCCP were a little stunned by the first tremendous response to the Founder's Circle. Suddenly the whole project has become more than a dream, it has become a reality. Part of that reality is that at each step along the way the work becomes more and more complicated. For example, the creation of the Founder's Circle was only the first step. Now it needs someone to manage all the new administrative work it created. At every step along the way, more and more help will be needed. Some of it will come from paid staff, much of it will come from volunteers. From the beginning of the Project, it has been envisioned that some of the day to day operation of the Center will depend on committed volunteers who give a day or even half a day every week. Even now, support groups and activities depend on the committed efforts of individuals who create and operate them. The new Gay Men's Health Project is getting off the ground because of the single handed efforts of CAMPsafe director Sal Seeley. The Women's Project has a dedicated group of women committed to its success. People come by CAMP Rehoboth's office all the time with brilliant ideas for fund raisers, for projects, for events, social activities, support groups and more. A couple of weeks ago, I turned to someone who had stopped by the office with an idea. "You know," I said, "I've started telling everyone with an idea for an event, that in order to make it work they'll need to chair it." I learned a long time ago that creation is only the first, and maybe the easiest, step. When we create organizations and events and projects, they are sometimes like childrenneeding years of tender love and care. Like children, there are good times and bad, ups and downs, awkward years when baby teeth fall out and the body shoots up too fast to keep in new clothes. The need for involvement in our community activities exists on so many levels. It takes the many professionals who give of their advice and services. It takes the dreamers, and those who make those dreams reality. It takes the many individuals who are always available to do whatever it is they are called upon to do. It takes leaders, organizers, administrators, artists, designers and workers of every kind. The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project and all the other projects and programs of CAMP Rehoboth are being created for the community, and depend upon support and input from the community to make them work. To become part of the CAMP Rehoboth Project Advisory Committee, call the CAMP Rehoboth office and ask to be put on the Project Advisory Committee mailing list. Or simply come to the next meeting of the Project Advisory Committee on Saturday, August 4, at 9 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 20 Baltimore Avenue, when we will focus on the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Development Plan. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 9, July 13, 2001. |