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Page 10 Diablo Blue March, 2002 |
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Yes, as you might have noticed, we did not have a pre-meeting game in February. We hope to try a new game in March that many of you might find a nice change from what we were doing before. Please let Peggy or Stan (or whoever is at the table when you enter) know what you think of the new game. As always, the more you get involved, the more you will enjoy and find value in your membership. Oh — don’t forget — one member gets a prize. Good luck! |
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Funnel vision is a malady that too often infects small organizations. This malady isn't restricted to user groups per se as it can infect any organization. The development of the malady originates from the thinking that only information gathered from a closed group is important or meaningful. I've seen the writing of editors pleading for articles from their members so that they will have something to put into their publication. This article is intended to bring to light my thoughts and opinions I've come to realize since I became involved as editor over eight years ago. It is no secret that the SVCA exchanges newsletters with other user groups. They are a wealthy source of information and differing ideas that we use for a number of purposes. I've long seen a pattern that I call "Funnel Vision" that can invade a user group and cause its demise. There are many forms. When I speak of funnel vision I am speaking to how a group attains information. We all know that a funnel is a cone shaped device that is large at one end and tapering to a small opening at the other. We use a funnel to pour liquids or powders into containers with small openings. The reason is that the liquid we are pouring into the funnel may originate from a saucepan (larger source) that contains a lot of liquid but by its very shape doesn't allow a small stream to flow from it. Thus, the funnel contains the overflow, the transfer of liquid is contained, and the liquid is transferred into the smaller container. User groups are small containers while the APCUG community is the larger container. If we learn to use the resources of the large community we can use the information to educate our members. Symptoms of the Disease As I scan the newsletters we receive, and those I access online, I find two distinctive forms of funnel vision evident. The worst form are the newsletters that contain only advertising with a short message from the President covering the reports of the groups last meeting or where he |
