Last week the local AFP meeting held at Brew River had people standing the entire time. Although they didn't expect to have as big a crowd as what turned out, no one seemed to have a problem standing wondering what's next for the AFP.
70+ people discussed the recent bus trip to Washington, D.C. in which a last minute plan brought in 5 bus loads of AFP Members to march on Washington last weekend.
We need your help! As a joint effort of the Wicomico and Worcester AFP chapters, we are renting a billboard to display the AFP message to the Ocean City vacationers as they travel Route 50. We can reach tens of thousands
with our billboard message.
Please donate at least ten dollars to this project which is sure to have maximum exposure and maximum impact on the November elections.
Contact Worcester AFP member DENNIS EVANS for details. We need to get moving on this so that we can lock in the best location. Contact Dennis ASAP with your pledge, and feel free to suggest wording for our billboard message.
Also, we'd like to invite our Wicomico counterparts to the Worcester County TAX DAY TEA PARTY which will be held Saturday April 17th at noon, routes 50 & 611 intersection in West Ocean City (The Trader Lee's complex). The Rally will be approx 90 minutes, followed by a candidates meet/greet/social for those who want to hang around.
34 comments:
I quit going to AFP meetings because I got tired of hearing Julie go on and on and on and on. She needs to sit down and let people that know how to speak publicly do so.
anonymous 9:35, I cannot disagree with you. They need speakers that have a solid background in how to conduct a meeting.
My fear is that while this is a great organization, if they don't make changes very soon, people will do like you're doing and walk away, simply because they don't have someone who knows how to keep a meeting informative and productive.
I mean no disrespect towards Julie but I too have had it. The other thing that bothers me to no end is when Julie interrupts a "Guest Speaker". I believe that is extremely disrespectful and they should hold off ALL comments until the very end.
Finally, when the Hosts of this meeting ramble on and on, repeating themselves time and time again, they then tell their Guest Speakers they have 5 minutes and start hovering over them after 3 minutes.
If the Hosts hadn't taken up the first HOUR repeating themselves, the Guests would be left feeling comfortable and not pressed for time.
Just my two cents.
This was the first AFP meeting I had attended.I did feel that the speaker Julie rambled on and on. At one point I asked a gentleman beside me if this was normal , he said unfortunately YES. I will give them another chance. Maybe if they listen to Joe it will get better.
I agree about Julie. Great to look at, but full of hot air. Great cause being clouded by the need for of a few to hear themselves talk.
I too quit attending mainly because of Julie's rambling.I will give her credit for helping get this started but she is not a good speaker, and never has anything of substance to add.
Wow. Have any of you anonymous complainers actually talked to Julie about this or are you just doing your bitching here?
Julie and I have our disagreements, but she should get some credit for taking this task on. It's not easy to run a meeting, especially one where everyone in the audience is fired up and wants to express an opinion. At least she's stepped up to run the local group and help organize the various AFP efforts.
I've learned from my experience that it's pretty easy to complain about things when you are sitting in the audience but that those who do very rarely actually step up to work within the organization. If you don't like the way the local AFP is being run, talk to Joe and Julie and see if you can be involved in helping them. I'm sure they'd be grateful for the help. Until you do, though, or at least until you tell Julie to her face what you think of her, you are part of the problem and not the solution.
I enjoy listening to her talk. And I like talking to her.
Well said Marc.
Thanks Marc. I might add that anyone of you are welcome to stand up and take a leadership position. My phone works. Just call. We need leaders and if you just want to sit back and critic, well I would challenge you to make better use of your time.
Are you people kidding? Julie is a great speaker, a great leader, and the only one who has volunteered her time to lead this greatly needed effort. What have any of you done. Joe, I am ashamed of you.
anonymous 2:57, I stated in my comment, "no disrespect."
However, if you actually believe Julie is a "great speaker" you don't get out much.
My hat is tipped to Julie for all the work she has done but come on here, who's kidding who.
IF they want this group to move forward, someone else needs o take control of these meetings before too many people grow tired of things being so repetitive, (sp?).
I would not mention it if several people, (most of the people I know that attend these meetings) didn't feel the same way. Now, If Julie cannot respect the fact that this is how people feel, so be it. I know of at least 7 people that made the same statement to me at the last meeting.
The truth is the truth and that's all there is to it. I'm sorry if that hurts anyone along the way. I am not trying to hurt anyone here. I'll add, I'm also the ONLY one willing to make such statements with my name attached to it.
3:32pm Joe....you are right on target. Thanks for a well thought out post. Hopefully Julie will take the advice and change. She has put her heart & soul into this but now she needs to get it moving in the right direction. Let the people lead and Julie be there to guide. Please.
Juie your heart is in the right place. Maybe you should take a class on Public speaking (that could help). Also what I noticed Julie , you start a statement and then stop to go in another direction altogether it was a little confusing. Stick to the facts and move on.
Seems like those outside the organization are trying to trash the people. Politics of destruction...The message is more important than the messenger and if no one else will step up and do what Julie has done, I would suggest they keep their mouths shut.
Julie built the Salisbury AFP, not this site. Is this whole thing a power grab by some who call themselves the media?
Look, if you people can't tyake constructive critisism and want to come back with replies putting words into someone's mouth, go for it, I really don't care.
In fact, here, I have an even better answer. I'll stop attending meetings, because they drive me nuts anyway and you people can be completely on your own.
Works for me.
Maybe you should of called Julie first.
There is a fledgling movement in this country trying to tear it down from the inside is just wrong.
I am applauded at the public bashing that Julie Brewington is taking on this blog. You are so called conseratives you sound more like liberals with these attacks. People you need some soul searching. Guess a public stoning is next! Grow up!!!
I wasn't aware we were looking for or needed "professional speakers" I thought we wanted and needed voices of the people to defend the constitution. I've enjoyed these meetings and wouldn't want to take the task of a volunteer position to do what she does.
I'm disappointed to see this commentary today.
To Julie, please keep fighting the good fight. We love ya!
What does AFP stand for?
What are you doing.
I agree with the mission of the AFP, but Julie is to the AFP like George W. was for the Republican party. Look where he got us? (I say that as a proud Republican!)
Ditto Marc!
AFP has become the leading grassroots group in Wicomico County. Without Julie and Joe Collins, this would have never been possible.
While I understand some of the complaints expressed here, I don't agree with them all. Even with the one's that I do agree with, I can only suggest that you try to put yourself in Julie's shoes.
I know that she works full time, she and Mike have children to raise. That would be enough for most of us. But on top of all that, Julie decided to work for change in our community, our state, and our country. She should be applauded.
If your problems are primarily ones of style, I would suggest that you offer Julie your assistance. I'm sure that she would be grateful.
5:27pm Joe...works for me,too. Don't think I will be attending any more meetings. First, I'm trying to work at a job & provide for my family. I don't have time to go to Washington or Annapolis. God Bless those who do.
Plus, I want to see changes in my own back yard.Yes, I realize some of you attend city & county meetings but what have you all accomplished by doing so. I personally have been able to sway some members of the city & county councils by just picking up the telephone and talking with one or two of the members of the city/county councils. That's what I call a "grassroots" effort.
She also has a farm and 4 properties to mange.
It isn't just Julie. Joe Collins rambles on too.
I think you should all find your own group of political influence if you think you can do better.
Joe, why won't you post my comments?
I'd suggest discussing all that AFP has accomplished and what it is planning to accomplish in the future instead of wasting time discussing someones speaking abilities. This action reminds me of the folks that don't like the messages on this site so they complaine about the spelling. Total waste of time and meaningless.
Be very careful how you criticize, unless you walk the walk. AFP is a very good group of folks and would fall flat without Joe and Julie.
Keep attending and going on the trips to DC. There is no time for weakness, we need to stand strong against the opposition now more than ever.
kn
7:31 you may have swayed some of the county council members but unless you are a huge supporter of the city council majority you have swayed nothing in city limits. It does no good for anyone to go to city council meetings and voice their opinion because the minds of the 3 brainless have already been made up and the vote is 3-2.
I think that if anyone, including you Joe, doesn't want to go to to AFP meetings because of your objection to citizen activists, you shouldn't go. We don't need you. Go ahead and give up on your country. You didn't build this group and although I don't speak for AFP I have no doubt they would welcome you back with open arms.
I think you all hit a nerve, take the opinion as an opinion people. If you can not take a concern/opinion about this then maybe you can't listen to an idea that is dead on and not your own. We need open minded people that will look at all sides and all solutions. Listen then repspect it and if if does not work throw it out. Think quick and judge slow.
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