LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Community Center Project Strikes a Nerve |
by Dan Goren |
Over the past month, it has been very heartening to hear so much talk about the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project. The feedback and questions cover a variety of subjects. Questions range from: "why do we need a community center?" and "do you know what you are doing?" all the way to "what is the address of the building?" The feedback has been just as robust. Concerns have been expressed about creating activities that overlap with other organizations in Sussex County. Also, excitement has been expressed about potential new programs and the ideas for launching and funding them. Listening to the conversations, feedback, input and the constructive criticisms are all wonderful things! Input is critical to success, and concerns have to be raised to ensure that a project of this magnitude addresses any and all issues. Many projects never get off the ground due to lack of input. Many consulting firms exist today just to help companies and organizations launch new initiatives. These firms will tell you that if there is silence about a new project, you are in trouble. Consultants consider this part of the building process to be a very key phase. Given the lack of silence this summer about the Community Center, I can easily paraphrase a consultant's assessment of our development to date: "Girl friend, you have struck a nerve, so keep up the high kicks!" And struck a nerve we have. In the fundraising arena the community has been very busy. At the beginning of the summer, there was a wonderful fundraising opportunity at Jakes Seafood Restaurant with the proceeds of a silent auction donated to the Community Center Project. Also, two very successful Tea-Dances have already taken place, and the management and staff at Cloud 9 and Yum Yum are to be sincerely congratulated. Their enthusiasm for this project was extraordinary and it showed. A lot of creative hard work went into making these events fun for the overwhelming crowds of men and women who wanted to both contribute and get involved. The contributions from The Miller Brewing Company and Standard Distributors, and the personal time of a large number of volunteers, ensured success both spiritually and financially. It has been very moving to see how so many people are doing so many things in this arena. Activities range from events sponsored by the Eastern Shore Bears, to organizations in Washington, DC which have earmarked proceeds from events for the Project, to the hosts and hostesses of private house parties in Rehoboth taking the initiative to request donations for the Community Center Project. With the summer not even half over, more activities are yet to come. The Henlopen Theater Project presents Another American: Asking and Telling, with the opening night performance, Wednesday, July 19th, benefiting the Community Center Project. That evening's performance will be followed with a Meet the Cast Party hosted by Mary Jane and Jean-Luc at Celsius, raising more funds for the Center. Another fun and exciting Tea-Dance will take place at the Beach House Restaurant, August 13th, also to benefit the Project. In the CAMP office, you can buy a copy of Rehoboth Beach Memoirs, a great new book by James D. Meehan, for $35 with $10 going to the Project. Finally, at least for now, you can pick-up your own Community Center Project T-shirt at CAMP for $20. All of these fundraising activities form a critical phase in the development of the Project. And while they are taking place, the Project committee is creating guidelines and developing plans for the long-term financial needs for building a Community Center. However, it is the funds from these events that will allow for the implementation of new programs now, as part of our Community Center without walls. Work has already begun on these programs. Last Monday, the first meeting of "The RetreatA Gay Men's Support Group" took place in Rehoboth at Epworth Church. As far as anyone can remember, this is the first Gay Men's Support Group in Rehoboth's history and the Community Center Project is very pleased to be able to launch this new initiative so soon. This Support Group is a wonderful expression of the Heart of the Communitya safe place where people can go both to get support and to be supportive. And it is proving to be a focal point for connecting people, activities and resources, by drawing attendance from the Delaware shore communities as well as from Maryland and Wilmington. The Retreat is the first initiative of the Community Center Project and it will meet every Monday night at 7:00 PM at Epworth Church, 20 Baltimore Avenue. Additionally, there are plans to have the current Gay Women's Support Group become part of the Community Center. These plans are now being finalized and there will be an announcement about it in the next issue of Letters. Some programs may take longer than others to start, but they will start. Salvatore Seeley, who is the CAMPsafe Program Director, is working on a plan to create a Youth Support Network for gay and lesbian youth. Sal has an abundance of enthusiasm for this much-needed project and is beginning to search out grants that can be obtained to support it. Others have begun to look at some of the socialization issues that are challenging for many in our community who do not live near the beach. The message and focus here is loud and clear. The Community Center is an expansion of what has already been built in Rehobothit has started and is in its formative stage. At this stage of development, the time is ideal for being involved in shaping the future. When the Project committee met on July 9th, shaping the future and receiving more input were the main topics of conversation. To that end, two members of the Metropolitan Community Church were in attendance to share information about MCC's programs and goals and to assist the development of the Community Center. The committee will meet again in the latter part of September to assess the progress being made with the current planning process. The realization of the Community Center will encompass a much richer view of the community, as more people get involved now. For some that means registering with CAMP as part of the permanent volunteer pool that is being created. For others it may mean working on a planning committee. There will be an outreach program to solicit input from other organizations and individuals in Sussex County. However, if you have ideas or feedback, they are most welcome and you don't have to waitjust let your voice be heard. In closing, to paraphrase advice from another management consultant: "Honeyif we just got on your last nerve, pick up your skirt, kick up your heels and knock down the door!" Dan Goren is the co-chair of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 9, July 14, 2000. |