Leadership is missing among the xJWs!

by IslandWoman 35 Replies latest jw friends

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  IslandWoman

  Alan,

  I wasn't talking about some sort of dictatorial hierarchy or anything close to that. What I was talking about was a couple of respected people who would write and encourage the organized distribution of leaflets or their organized mailing or another effort. That's all. Just some organized activity. There are people here who are talented, have a respected name and can say to the rest on this board: "Here is the tract, let's go with it!" We were salesmen before, we can do it again!

  If that's not a good idea, so be it.

  IW

  P.S. Sorry if I sounded curt, I've got some others things going on right now.
• 

  Englishman

  I can't believe that I didn't pick up on this thread earlier.

  Alan F is absolutely correct here, no leadership = no org = a free thinking person. One who can make mistakes for himself and not have to be warned against doing so.

  Englishman.
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  lv4fer

  With a quarterly newsletter or something?
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  AlanF

  If that's all you had in mind, IW, then I think we're on the same page. The sort of thing you're talking about, by one or two people, is done fairly often -- just not by people who post on this board.

  AlanF
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  IslandWoman

  Alan,

  But maybe, just maybe, if it were organized from this board it would have broader impact.

  IW
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  Aunty

  It's true that we all have the "salesmen" skills, but the biggest difference in being out of the WT is that when we use our skills now, we're paid for it. If this was a money making venture, I'm sure some would be willing and able to "get the word out". What we don't want to do is be used for our skills and get nothing in return.

  Oh sure, we'll have satisfaction from turning right-hearted ones out of the evil organization... Sound familiar?
• 

  larc

  IW,

  You mentioned garbage pick up and McDonald's as examples effective and efficient organizations. Large functional organizations such as thesse work well if there is one clearly defined goal and the environment is stable. That is why such a structure has worked well for the Witnesses for so long. However, more recently the environment is changing faster than they can adapt and their numbers show it.

  Organizations also use other structures besides the functonal structure during times of rapid change or when there is the need for inovation. These structures are: project, task force and matrix. The project and task force are what AlanF was alluding to when he was explaining to you the value of how things are getting done.

  While the WT has one goal, the xJWs have diverse goals, and therefore it is better to have small work teams that specialize in one goal. Much more gets done when one person or a small group dedicates themselves to a specific activity.

  In short, the xJWs as a loose confederacy are very effective in reaching their goals.
• 

  cornish

  I think island woman is right Organizations can be usefull in getting things done,we dont want to get paranoid about all organizations,an organization is fine as long as the organization serves the needs of the members,not the members serve the needs of the organization,it seems a sad tendency that organizations founded with good intentions at some time cross this boundry and members become slaves of the system,the opposite of what should be.
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  ros

  BRCI is organized. :)

  Ros
  "A religion that teaches lies cannot be true"--The Watchtower, 12/1/91 pg. 7
• 

  Amazing

  HI IW: Yesterday, I started a response to your comments addresses to me, when my PC booted me off. When I got back on later I saw that AlanF made a good response that sums up my thoughts.

  I am not against organization per se. Some of it is necessary. Governments are generally set-up with checks and balances. Businesses are kept in check by govt regulations, stockholders, and mostly consumer free market.

  Religion is off limits unless it commits financial fraud, or enegages in illegal acts such as human sacrifice, criminal abuse, or attempts to use illegal drugs in its rituals. Otherwise, religions are whatever they want to be. Many are fine, run locally, and the pastor is kept in check by the Church Board and members.

  Some groups, like the JWs are centralized authoritarian heirarchies with little disclosure, no accountability, and absolute power. So, as an ex-JW, I am inclined to stay away from religious-style groups so that I am never again subject to any spiritual authority. In business, I am self-employed such that I do not have to play politics or finesse my way around the organization.

  Among ex-JWs, there are already some leaders and groups that function for various purposes:

  AJWRB / Blood issues - Lee Elder
  SilentLambs / Abuse issues - Bill Bowen
  Freeminds, Beacon, & others for information & resources - Randy, Ros, etc.
  BRCI for spiritual gatherings to discuss doctrine and support to new ex-JWs

  These and others function well, and serve their purposes. I suppose that they have 'exit' strategies in the event their purpose is no longer needed. I suspect that BRCI will continue because the flow of ex-JWs will continue. Other than these, I am not sure what else we need.

  If you have something specific in mind not already being addressed, then get some folks together, via meetings or email, and brainstorm what it is you wish to accomplish. I recommend setting up a non-profit corporation, IRS 501(3)(c) in the event that money is involved. Develop an 'exit' strategy to disban the group once the purpose is accomplished. Upon disbanning, send any surplus funds to some agreed upon charity. Otherwise, organizations, like government, tend to grow and turn on the very purpose for which they were founded. That is where potential harm can be done.