Well, I think its fair to say that we've made a bit of an impact. (See www.saveourwaterways.org.uk for an update of what is going on).
Also, I'm pleased to say that we have played some part in bringing no fewer than 10 waterways-related user groups into an alliance dedicated to convincing Government that these cuts are not acceptable and a long term solution to waterways funding, that is not subject to Government whim, needs to be found. > http://www.waterscape.com/news/nid828; SOW is part of that alliance and recognised as such by all the others. Note that SOW is a volunteer pressure group, we are not membership-based, we're not tied to any other group and everything we have achieved to date has come out of our own pockets (and hearts). That is not to forget a few individuals who have provided free professional services/donations but wish to remain anonymous (and no, we can't give peerages<g>). Finally, SOW is non-profit. If there is a surplus at the end of the campaign we will donate those funds to waterways-based charities. We've reached the stage where we need more help. We are particularly looking for people with special knowledge or experience but enthusiasm for what we are doing and a bit of spare time are the main qualities we are looking for. Here's a list of areas where we have urgent need for help: 1. Fund raising - We need to find ways to pay for flyers, posters, petition forms, etc. We are not short of ideas of whom to approach. We just need people to help make the calls and do the deal. Of course, if you represent a company that is a potential sponsor, we are in a position to offer exposure at any or all of our events. 2. Insurance - there are some complex insurance issues involved and we would like someone with special knowledge to advise us on proportionate levels required. 3. Local coordinators - fancy getting involved getting a few boats together to do your part? It could be as easy as getting some flyers and petition forms from us and gathering signatures at your mooring whether marina or on-line mooring. Its only slightly more difficult to get a bunch of friends and acquaintances together and hold your own event, See the campaign plan on www.saveourwaterways.org.uk for details of how to do this. 4. Regional promoters - we need people who have a bit more time to visit clubs, societies, marinas, etc to get the word out and hopefully encourage more to take part whether by organising a protest or simply by getting flyers and petitions out there. 5. The next issue of Towpath Talk, its a free publication by the way, will be covering the campaign extensively. We need volunteers to distribute copies ALL over the waterway not just the Midlands where I believe it has has most coverage. If you can help, just email us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject Towpath Talk.. 6. IT/Web specialists - Mike Stevens is doing a great job with the website but we need help from people that can write more technical stuff like interactive web pages where volunteers can submit their details; a way for our event organisers to publicise their events; perhaps there is some merit in having a blog. etc, etc. You folk who know about these things know what I mean. Come out of the closet and help! 8. Merchandise/fulfilment - we are planning a range of suitable winter merchandise. Anyone out there that has put a range together that would like to coordinate this? Of particular importance is that we are looking for a company/organisation (perhaps an existing canal society that already has a mail order operation) to handle the orders and ship them. This would be a commercial deal; we are talking to commercial firms who specialise in fulfilment but we'd rather have it done by someone we 'know'. 7. And why not just help by downloading a copy of the petition and flyer and print a few copies and see how many signatures you can get and, more importantly, how many people you can persuade to write to their MP. I'm doing it this weekend at Cromford, Kings Bromley and Great Haywood, why can't you? Come on; together we really can Save Our Waterways! Tell us how you can help by emailing me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Will Chapman Save Our Waterways www.SaveOurWaterways.org.uk Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
