TO Gambians in the Diaspora & Friends of The Gambia: Since I posted "Guidelines" for a "Save The Gambia Fund/Association," a few days ago, Many good suggestions were made on both the Post and G-L. I also received email and phone calls privately. The bulk of them have been very positive and I'm encouraged by the responses. In sum, the suggestions are: * Expand the membership to include Gambians and friends that may not have access to the Internet; * Provide a more flexible payment plan, especially for those who would like to pay yearly; * Give due considration to potential members who, because of their employment industry and job situation, may not be able to keep up with their plege; * Consider the privacy concerns of potential members who wish to pledge and do not wish to have their names published; * Consider potential members who are already committed to a political party; and * A few who believe that the whole idea should be dropped because of pre-existing organizations with similar goals. I believe that all these suggestions have merit and should, therefore, be considered carefully. Allow me, then, to thow out a few ideas at you. With Regard to expanding membership to include those not having access to the internet, several suggestions to include these individuals were made to me as well. One that was compelling was the creation of "Committees of Five" individuals in states and cities with large Gambian communities. These committees will in turn spread the word, seek support and commitment from those unconnected to the net. The "Committees of five" will then serve as the conduit between those on the net and those who are not. As we speak, discussions are underway in Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA to create such links. Should any one wish to undertake such activity in their community, let us know. *For members who wish to make one yearly payment, instead of the monthly or quarterly payment, please do so. * For potential members whose job situation(s) may force them to fall behind on their contributions, the suggestion is that you pledge a modest amount like $2 or $3 a month to be paid quarterly or monthly. And when the job situation improves, you can always increse your contribution. This way, you remain in good-standing. We look down on no pledge. Every pledge, however small helps. A low pledge does not limit participation in decision-making. * If you do not wish to have your name published as a member, your wish will be honored; * Potential members who are committed to a political party should still support that party and make contributions to that party accordingly. These committed party members are also encouraged to pledge $2,$3,$5 or whatever they can, to the "Save The Gambia Fund/Assoc." * For those who believe that the idea should be dropped because of pre-existing organizations geared to similar goals, I say to them, let those organizations continue the good work they are doing. We are not working against them but with them. And that this new strategy to raise funds for 2006 and beyond has already generated considerable interest and pledges for the next forty months and beyond. The creation of "SAVE THE GAMBIA FUND/ASSOCIATION" is also a reaction to the failed fund-raising efforts for the 2001 elections. With these suggestions, I hope that I have been able to address some of the concerns raised. The principle behind this fund raising scheme does not necessarily rest on a large membrship. It rests on "The Committed Few." It hinges on pledging a minimum amount over a long period of time. It also rests on flexibility and affordability, $2-$25 for the next forty months and possibly longer. Also, there is no compulsion to join. If you wish to make a difference and help bring about peaceful democratic change in The Gambia, we welcome you. I am also not assuming that membership to this FUND/ASSOC is the only way to show concern or to help bring about peaceful democratic change at home. Many organizations exist that may more readily suit your needs and ideas. If that is the case work with them. This is getting much longer than I wanted and it is getting late. Thank you, and as I said before, your suggestions are welcome. Abdoulaye _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~