I had a GREAT meeting tonight!

[RevCheesehead]

We got work accomplished, we addressed problems, and even found a couple of proactive solutions. We have decided that we are no longer willing to accept the negativity and back-stabbing that's being done by a few people, and the committee is willing to bring in a conflict resolution counselor.

The problem has been that the 2 or 3 people who are gossiping and lying are driving people away from the church. They've bullied people into getting their own way, and it's killing us. Tonight, we decided to do something about it. It took almost 3 years to get to this point, but I assured them that I was firmly committed to seeing it through, and would promise to stay here, provided they support me.

I am so psyched! :bounce::bounce:

[merh]

1. Good for you, Popey!

:toast: Here is to proactive response to the negative doodoos!

So happy it was a good meeting and that you are so psyched! :woohoo: :woohoo:

:hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

2. It was one of those moments when we just knew what we had to do.

Also, the chair of the committee wasn't there, so we got some work accomplished for a change. Bless her, she has a kind heart (for a freeper), but she tries to please everybody, and gets easily frustrated. She also is doing too many things, and highly stressed. So the committee agreed to appoint a different chair of the committee. Once we addressed this issue, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


It is Soooooooo good to see you, O Divine Ms. Merh! :hug::loveya:

[merh]

8. It's so good to see you smile, Popey.

:hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

9. Know what? I agree!

And even better: the knot in my stomach has disappeared! :hug:

[merh]

13. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Here is to the disappearing knot! :toast:

:hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

15. And how about you, O divine one?

Doing better?

:hug::loveya:

[merh]

24. Doing better ...

things are still in the works and an old friend has reappeared and has helped me smile.

You know how it goes, sweetie, good days, bad days and in-between.

All we can do is what we can do. :hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

25. Oh, hooray!!!

:doing the happy dance:

:hug::loveya:

[merh]

26. lol

:blush:

:hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

31. I love it when life is good!!

[darkstar]

3. Hey friends!!!!

We need more proactive response to the negative doodoos, don't we now?

Who's up for forming a survey squadron/rapid response team to keep all this neg space in check?

Rock on, sisters. NGU on nuthin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:yourock: :pals: :yourock: :pals: :yourock: :pals:

[RevCheesehead]

5. Sometimes ya gotta take the bull by the horns.

Then again, sometimes ya gotta call bullshit, then clean it up. :)

[merh]

7. How have you been, darkstar?

I'm with you on forming that "survey squadron/rapid response team to keep all this neg space in check"

Life is tough enough without folks spreading the negative doodoo!

:hug:

[darkstar]

17. Things are good/OK

I'm teaching up here in Belleville, IL. Ms. Darkstar is getting house ready and up for sale in Lafayette. I'll fill you in on all the FEMA intrigues at some point.

Jeeze it's still all a blur, huh? Seems like things will never settle down to the old normal.

How are you? I hope well. I love your updates, your outlook, and spirit. NGU, gurl!!!!

big :hug:

[merh]

22. Did I tell you about my bumper sticker :D

"Katrina made me homeless, FEMA made me trailer trash!"

:rofl: :rofl:

If we don't laugh about the FEMA intrigues, we will go mad! :freak:

Thanks for the kind words :hug:

You know I am too pigheaded to evah give up. Never.Give.Up! :patriot:

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. Would this have anything to do

with carpets and Kool-Aid?

:rofl:

[RevCheesehead]

6. Well, someone did mention Jim Jones and Kool-Aid tonight!

:rofl:

And someone noticed I brought a Dr. Pepper to the meeting. I just looked up, and said, "starting now, it is OK to bring something to drink or eat in this room. I'll take the responsibility for that. But honestly, if we don't lighten up, we're gonna have the prettiest, emptiest church in town."

They call it "truth-telling." O8)

[Oeditpus Rex]

30. Some call that

"heresy."

:scared:

[RevCheesehead]

33. In retrospect, I think you're right.

It should have been a Diet Dr. Pepper. O8)

[Oeditpus Rex]

34. And a parquet floor

[RevCheesehead]

36. We'll have to wait for that....

until one of the rich peoples kick the bucket!

[Oeditpus Rex]

37. Give 'em some Kool-Aid

Mission Accomplished. :patriot:

[WCGreen]

10. Boy, if that doesn't bring back memories of my time on

the board of my church....

I pray for you, rev.....

[RevCheesehead]

11. Hey, Chris!

How's tax season treating you? :hug:

[WCGreen]

12. Well, I't 1:50 AM and this is the first time I've been able

to noodle on over to DU....

I'm bushed, and ready for Ambien to take me away....

[RevCheesehead]

14. I'm honored that you dropped in to say hi!

Be good to yourself! :)

:bounce::bounce:

or O8)O8) if you prefer.

[WCGreen]

16. Angel food cakes......

Must taste.....

Good night.....

[RevCheesehead]

19. Now you can sleep with a smile.

G'nite! :hug:

[southlandshari]

18. Very, very happy for you, Rev!

I have also experienced a recent turnaround of what what was - for too long - a divisive and conflict-ridden group that should have been the model for cooperation and partnership. It sucked to see the ongoing problems --- but MAGIC when things finally started to change.

Miracles can and do happen!

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

21. Amen, Sister!

I think people finally get fed up, and decide it might be time to fix the problem, instead of just complain about it. And, someone even dared to suggest that the mean-spirited gossipers "weren't behaving the way Christ would expect us to." :wow:

Call me stunned, yet thrilled. :)

[southlandshari]

27. Were there any newcomers who helped turn things around?

Even unintentionally, I mean. In my case, a number of things helped the shift in dynamics and outlook of this group over time. One of them was an injection of a few people without history in the conflict. That helped refocus everyone on the mission at hand, rather than the fight in some hearts.

;)

[RevCheesehead]

32. Well, there's one woman new to church.

We had a nice talk afterwards. She's very spiritual, and really believes that our behavior must reflect our beliefs. I'm so glad she joined the committee this year!

[SeattleGirl]

20. Great news, Rev!

I'm so happy that the committe was able to find solutions!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[RevCheesehead]

23. Hey, Seattle Girl!!

Are my eyes deceiving me, or have you somehow managed to grow a third boobie? :rofl:

[SeattleGirl]

28. LOL!!

Thought I might need a spare!

:rofl:

[Whoa_Nelly]

29. Most wonderful news!

Conflict resolution can be difficult.

It takes strength and balance to see beauty.




You've got what it takes :)

[RevCheesehead]

35. Golly, thanks, Nellie!

:blush:

But it takes a special group of people to decide that they want to make changes. And that's exactly what happened tonight.