World Activist Group (WAG) was brought to life to fill a void, an important one. I need to give my amazing and wonderful friend Monica Johansson credit, as she was the first to see it clearly. Monica and I have known and worked together for years, on several different human rights projects at various non-profit organizations. We seemed to work so well together on whatever task or project was put before the two of us. I think it is fair to say that Monica and I have a good sense of the work that needs to be done; we like to take care of that by putting our best foot forward. Happy hour and extreme practical jokes “might” ensue later when the work was done.
Now you need to remember that “most” activists are donating their time and skills, it’s a calling. So if the cause or the work is not interesting, volunteers do not tend to hang around for long. Fortunately for Monica and me (and quite a few of you) that is not the case. What we found in our experiences with NPO’s was that quite often the person in charge, or even the volunteers, were looking to become a celebrity. It’s no secret that many well known celebrities are dedicated to making this world a better place, what better way to meet them?
Conversely others in charge might become “upset” when say an overseas project became difficult due to logistics, etc. Making the decision, with no prior warning to cancel a program that had been under construction for months is an example of this. And the constant need to have your hand out for money for the organizations was just plain sad & expensive because you find yourself donating to each new request, just so you don’t have to fund raise. The last NPO where Monica and I worked together sent us an email, really just her because they sent it to my “old email”. She called me to see if I was ‘Ok’ & I told her I was fine. She asked if I read the email. Well the “email” was the very personal way of our CEO letting us know that effective immediately, all overseas programs were closed (that meant Monica & I). Seriously? Someone invests hours & hours to help fund your NPO & this is how you inform them you’ve closed their programs with all of the people overseas? Yes, and it’s not even unusual.
I think it took Monica about a day to get the vision. We wanted a safe place that people could come to, they might be activists, and they might just be thinking about a cause & not knowing what to do. All causes and all opinions would be welcome as long as they were expressed courteously and respectfully. We could help direct people who were interested in the same cause, or if they didn’t know the 1st step to take to be heard, we could help with that. We decided that we would never ask for money, and we haven’t.
What I did not foresee coming was that my time here would be as brief as it has been. Due to personal issues with my health, it’s important that I step aside and allow those who are more qualified to take the reigns. No, I have not accomplished, or seen accomplished all of the dreams I’ve had for WAG. I took several months to get a sense of who would be here, & how best we could work together. World Activist Group’s potential has not been reached, not even close; I do not look at that as a bad thing. I believe we dreamed a really big dream when we began this “Popsicle stand”, my wish is that it will just continue to grow in its mission.
A couple of months ago I asked two of my favorite people: Allen Parmenter and Andrea Rose Johnson, to keep an eye on the shop for me. I came back and found we now were on “Twitter” for real (even though I still don’t “get” it) with new ‘tweeps’ joining us daily, people being personally welcomed as they join our fb group, etc. I know because they are my dear friends & we talk that Andrea & Allen really do understand and share the vision, but they also know that we are encouraging them to take the ball and run with it! We are having fun coming up with their new titles. Feel free to make suggestions. So far I like: HRM King & Queen (the first Royal family in cyber space), or Ambassadors to “the Happiest Place on Earth!” And of course WAG would not be WAG without all of you, it is yours, use it for good. I will still drop in from time to time.
Finally, I want to thank my Beautiful Rock Star of a friend, Monica Johansson. You have taught me SO many things and been the very best friend (with or without blue legs), & I am going on record to say “this is NOT over”. I love you sis.
Kindest,
Lori
A short note from Monica,
“After many years of unemployment, I now have a job that requires some heavy demands, I cannot commit the time that I feel WAG needs. Although I feel saddened to have to step aside from something I hold so dear, I have all the love, hope, respect and confidence that Andrea and Allen are perfect to continue to make WAG flourish.”
Get in touch with them at
Lori Kechter Blake bruemac@hotmail.com
Monica Johansson at monicajohansson@att.net
Wag 