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(This article was originally published on 7th August, 2002, but has been revised
with new material added on 16 May, 2003.)
A NOTABLE COMMUNITY MEMBER (WHISHING TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS)
WROTE
I would just like to give my opinion about "leaders and founders"
in this community and order, unity, etc.
The vampire community network is about communication, debate...and I'm not
going to avoid tough subjects; you may disagree, but here is my opinion and
my reasons.
There are no votes or offices the leaders hold, they didn't apply for a position.
They are called "leaders" because many people saw how hard they
worked for the community and because of what they did and who they were. That
goes for all of them regardless of house or affiliation.
That doesn't say that what they do is always right but they are trying for
the most part. Everyone has a choice: they can either get involved in the
community or they can just listen in and take part without getting involved.
Those who care enough to take the time and get involved and try to provide
venues, publications and generally assist in any way they can are often criticized
due to the "nature of the beast". We are all different with different
ideas of how things should be done.
The fact is that people want to get together and have places to go whether
on the Internet or in real life... Let me use an example:
In my city, we have a very small goth scene. We have a lot of alternative
people, thousands in fact just within the city. All of the local establishments
and venues have moved Goth nights to Mondays or other lousy days and most
of our festivals and socials have died. There is only one social left and
it dies after this next month; the next one is the last one. They have a message
board; the website died long ago. There's about 50 people on the message board
now and most don't bother posting anymore.
Everyone says "Why don't we have a good place to go? Why don't we have
a scene? Why can't we get together?"
I can tell you why. The "Leaders" of this scene in this city of
650,000 are not at fault. Sure, rumors fly that it is due to their efforts
or that so and so is arrogant. The actual fact is that it is due to the people
in the scene. These "leaders" just came in and tried, they put years
into trying to help others who enjoyed the same music, wore the same clothes,
liked the same things. The people say they want a big scene but they don't
want order or affiliations. Well, really, could anyone throw large events
and get lots of people there without order and affiliations? The people judge
everyone around them: are they gothy enough to be a part of their crowd? They
harass those who believe differently or like things that they don't. Even
the bands are tired of it; they play in Germany and Europe or tour the States.
These 50 people honestly believe that they alone can do it all, but they aren't
about to throw the events or support those who try to. Let's be honest, these
50 people may be independent but they are going to have nowhere to go and
it's their own fault.
Being a leader regardless of what scene or community is the most thankless
and risky job one can have. Most didn't ask for it, they're just being themselves
and doing what they believe in. They most usually make no money off of it,
are called down for it and judged mercilessly by all. When they do something
good, it's expected of them and when they make a bad decision, how dare they?
They very often get very little if any support from those who enjoy the benefits
of what they have built. Yet, they go and continue doing it, most often without
complaint.
There are thousands of vampires everywhere screaming for more, more events,
more facts and information, more support. That is not going to happen without
affiliations, without leaders setting aside their differences and without
organization. These are the facts that the leaders know and that the people
for the most part do not understand. Everyone here who has lead in any way
knows exactly what I'm talking about.
Some sort of affiliation or organization is required for any scene or community
to thrive in any way. Like it or not, some form of unity is needed. There
are bad leaders but there are also bad waitresses... shall we fire them all?
This modern community is still unorganized, though many of us are trying
hard and some small amounts of organization have occurred. In my opinion,
lumping all organizational attempts and leaders into one pile and turning
your back on all organization is ignorant. The founders are the reason that
we found each other, they are the reason that we can disagree about the paths
they chose, they were the first to take the challenge upon themselves of creating
everything that brought us together. Sure, since then we have all built little
pieces, but most of us link to others and go find the information we need
to put our little piece together in the form we choose. They built the foundation,
because of them, you can get that information. Just like without your mother,
you wouldn't exist. Without the founders, the community that you enjoy would
not be here and none of us would be able to complain about anything. You do
not have to love them, follow them or agree with them all the time, but you
should at least give credit where credit is due.
I say, put a spotlight on yourself and have 500 people or 50,000 people watch
your every move and see how shiny you come out. I'll lay bets that every one
of us looses our gloss.
"Judge not, less you be judged yourself" -- my personal motto.
SALADIN RESPONDED
AMEN TO THAT!!!!! The most common question that I am asked over here is,
"By what merit do you run the A.V.C. [Australian Vampire Community]?"
or "So you've 'made yourself' a leader..." and so on. The fact is
that I do what I am doing because no-one else is and no-one seems to want
to but someone has to. I freely admit that I'm probably not the best person
to do it, but if I don't, who will? No-one. For the record, I try to avoid
the term 'leader'. I prefer to think of myself as someone who's just there
to help, as "leader" sounds like I am seeking authority or power
and I'm not. I try to avoid that image as it makes people resistant to communing
with us.
SANGUINARIUS RESPONDED
That's what the term "elder" is for. Although "leader"
is also appropriate. "Leader" is NOT necessarily a political designation;
it merely means those who lead, those who organize things, and give direction.
A good leader needs to strive to keep the community's best interests in mind,
and even put the community's needs and concerns above his/her own. A good
leader is a strong leader, but also someone who listens to his/her followers
(which word is not a dirty word; nor does it necessarily imply "sheeple"
or mindless herd-people). A good leader will also not place him or herself
upon a pedestal, but will be there, amongst the others, listening, helping,
supporting, etc. The others will naturally look to this individual for guidance,
or leadership, and view him or her as a leader, and worthy of respect. A good
leader will not let this respect that is given unto him or her, or his/her
position in the community, go to his or her head. A good leader will periodically
(sometimes on a daily basis, even) do a self-check to make sure his or her
motives remain selfless and not self-serving. But, also keep in mind that
helping others will also help themselves, and there is nothing wrong with
that.
There are many of these types among us. There are many among us who wish
to be viewed as leaders or elders. It's not an ego thing. To lead is to serve
others. Sometimes this is done at great expense (financial, social, mental,
physical, family, etc.), and it requires dedication, because sometimes it
seems that no matter what you do, you can't do NOTHIN' right! A good leader
knows when to listen to others and when to make his/her own decisions and
stand up for what s/he believes in, rather than swaying in the wind, drifting
with every difference of opinion, argument, belief, or suggestion.
"Leader" is not a dirty word, but it can be a dirty job, and thankless
as hell. But a good, strong leader will remain dedicated and true. Because
they genuinely care. And that drives them, even when anybody else would have
given up, or buckled under various pressures.
A leader has the right to be proud, but remains humble. S/he is worthy of
much respect, but demands none or little. A leader gives back to the community
what the community gives to them, and more sometimes, in a form that is useful
to the community.
This article is presented as part of an ongoing effort to present other views outside of, as well as within, the online vampire community. Those of us who consider ourselves vampiric don't always look at things from the same viewpoint due to our life experiences. As such, the views and opinions contained in this article are entirely those of the author(s), and may not necessarily be shared by SphynxCatVP. The webmaster is not under obligation to update or otherwise keep current the contents of this article. Most importantly, only you can decide for yourself whether this article or any of the author(s) other views are useful or applicable to you - you are responsible for using your own reasoning and judgement, so judge wisely.
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