During the RSOL conference we were lucky to have met and networked with hundreds of advocates, registrants and family members. Some of which were in Florida.
Along with the positive feedback that FAC received, were some negative points. We were told by more than one person that FAC has been unresponsive to them or a loved one. That’s something that hurts us and that we want to correct immediately. As an organization comprised of primarily registrants and family members, we know how painful and difficult it is to deal with everything surrounding arrest, incarceration, registration and just trying to live a normal life. We also know how important everyone’s individual case is to them and want you to know that it’s important to us too.
As a volunteer organization with limited resources that is trying to service over 60,000 registrants in this State, we’re stretched pretty thin. Through May, Gail was traveling back and forth to Tallahassee almost weekly to to meet with legislators and testify. Our legal committee has two cases pending and more on the way. Our media committee has been scrambling to deal with the constant flow of garbage that gets churned out faster than we can read it. Our outreach is overwhelmed by the growing number of members we service, Our website receives over 150 unique visitors, on average, per day with 59% (over the last month) being new visits.
All this is good news for the organization and our cause, but it’s overwhelming.
All members are important to us and our board will do our best to increase our resources to keep up. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
For many reasons there are those who can not give of their time or feel like that are drowning already. So are you saying don’t expect help unless you give help? It is also like you are saying “ok we will assist you but now you owe us.” To me that is not the definition of a support organization and that doctrine could be a reason members do not feel they get the help they need or feel apprehensive about even asking.
I am meaning to those who are blatantly not in support of helping others once they have received assistance. This is not meant to point fingers, but instead, rally others to step forward with some kind of support whether monetary, prayerfully, or giving of their time..
I know firsthand that it is rather difficult to make everybody happy, but one has to remember that there are those who ask for help and when helped, life is good and things go back to normal. They don’t give back after the assistance (which at most times makes a huge impact). It is all about giving back after receiving.
If more people volunteered, then FAC or any other organization like them, would be more successful in their mission while helping someone else in their time of need. So, don’t wait around and expect that help unless you’ve or are willing to give of your time.
If you don’t have the time, then donate!
AMEN!!!!
Thank you – I have always gotten assistance when needed. I value all you do and are doing.