Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00149)

Martin: 

Appreciate your objective consideration and feedback.

In the past very successfully in many parts of the world, the lecturers
toured from city to city and the tours last a couple of months.

For whatever reason, what we have seen in the recent years is a handful of
lecturers shuttling from their homebase to one or two cities at a time. I
do not know how effective the current policy has been.

We also see some of the well known people travelling/lecturing frequently
in far off foreign countries for only reasons known to them while much need
is there at home.

We will have to see what future holds.

mkr

=====================


At 11:03 PM 09/11/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>This point  of  traveling lectures is an important. . As you know I am doing
>some traveling lecturing for the TSA. The reason I do it is for the
sharing of
>theosophy with the members and promoting theosophy and TS  among the
visitors.
>
>But , I do not agree completely with  Ramadoss when he says:
>"Traveling lecturers tend to get to know the membership in person and as
>such may end up being elected to official positions challenging the
>candidates anointed by leadership thus bring down the established order."
>
>I agreed with the point of people getting to know me when a travel to other
>parts of the country. This is a good thing as members get to know others
>people- traveling lectures- and they are resources for them.
>Of course if we explore all the 'if' possibilities, about having traveling
>lectures,  they are endless, and half  of the imagined fantasies are good and
>half are bad.
>My approach is very simple, speak from the heart, and only what I know,
>without  hidden motives, challenge Inertia in the Lodges and Study Groups,
>explore various possibilities in membership growth and outreach programs,
>promote a sense of belonging to the TSA, and in my possibilities (very
few) to
>establish an open communication channel to me through email or snail mail.
>I don't think John Algeo, or any other officer see me as a challenger. I was
>never told what to say and what not to say. It took about 15 minutes to 20
>minutes in my first meeting with John Algeo to become a National Lecture. He
>took a risk after I told him about my past with New Acropolis. I told him I
>want to be a resource for the TSA, and He said: 'lets do it.'
>
>The only time I do not promote TSA is when I am invited to talk at the TS in
>Pasadena, once a year; but I use the occasion to promote their courses,
>classes and programs. And I hope in my many lecturers there, some people have
>become members and members who are not in their staff and active, become more
>active participant.
>
>But Ramadoss says well "Traveling lecturers is a well proven and effective
way
>to build lodges and
>membership."
>
>And I am glad to see new National Lecturers in the TSA. If present and future
>leadership comes out of it, it is certainly welcome. It is a great way to
meet
>active members who care about the Society and want to share theosophy with
>other.
>
>That is my insight, per brother Ramadoss request.
>
>One point I want to make. I think Lodges need to learn more about effective
>ways to promote programs, to attract newcomers. In this area they are very
>behind proven methods.
>If anyone here in this list have ideas in how to do it. Please write them
>down, so we all can benefit.  I have seen some placed in the LA Times, and in
>my opinion they are boring looking, a thing of the 40's or 50's.
>We need to 'think differently' and proactive with the times. Being timeless
>does not mean inertia from something used 50 years ago.
>
>But I do not know how to create a great, attractive, inviting ad in a
paper. I
>plan to study the subject. I'll share what I learn with the list.  Any ideas.
>
>
>
>Martin Leiderman
>in West Los Angeles
>
>
>
>
>
>M K Ramadoss wrote:
>
>> At 10:55 AM 09/11/1999 +0000, mika perala wrote:
>> >Here in Finland the Helsinki Blavatsky-lodge members are travelin
>> >all over the country lecturing and increasing the number of
>> >members founding new lodges.
>>
>> Travelling lecturers is a well proven and effective way to build lodges and
>> membership.
>>
>> For those who may have forgotten the history of TS in the US , it was how
>> TS(Adyar) started rebuilding lodges and increased membership after the
>> split that occurred early part of the century. The leading travelling
>> lecturer at that time was Besant.
>>
>> At present, it appears that there could be political fear regarding
>> travelling lecturers from established leadership.
>>
>> Travelling lecturers tend to get to know the membership in person and as
>> such may end up being elected to official positions challenging the
>> candidates anointed by leadership thus bring down the established order.
>>
>> For now, I have seen very little serious discussion about the loss of
>> membership as if it does not matter. Who knows why? Any mind reading
>> psychics who can fathom what is going on? Or anyone having any inside
>> track? Anyone wishing to be anonymous can send me private e-mail.
>>
>> mkr


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