...thanks for exposing the fact that you (and in saying YOU, it's already been outed who YOU really are) are pleased to lie and distort as always.

It's what Republicans and Blue-dog war-mongers do, lie and twist words around to facilitate their bankrupt morality.

And like the mindlocked troll you are, here you arrive like clockwork showing up first to hijack the comments, because you lack the will, intelligence, integrity and imagination  to work for yourself--stand on your own two feet. 

Instead, in typical parasitic form, you leech and suck on others. 

Too, what's so wonderful about your ilk is that in your self-importance you honestly believe in your own grandiosity---like Glen Beck, Sarah Palin et all.  Yet like that kind of disturbed personality, all one of that mentality can ever be is a distorter of facts, practicing theatre with other people's lives--a reckless, careless, ill-minded usurper.

Nevertheless, the record has already been set straight and your continued FOX News, tea-bag, con-game FAILS again.

Eternity

...person has to say, it clearly states at the top of each an every page @ RealNeo that:

"...We are an open, free social network of a non-profit cooperative of people - REAL.COOP - interested in arts and culture, economy, education, environment, health and technology. REALNEO has a focus on North East Ohio - NEO - but REAL.COOP has global membership and perspectives..."

So, when a person or persons seek to kill-the-messenger for sharing their view in posts, are those individuals keeping with the mission of this site and organization?

Furthermore, why does it seem that the leadership here is in absentia?

One person can't deal with all this, so where is the governing board, and why isn't there adequate protocols and enforcements in place?

To this, like most co-ops and non-profits, is anyone getting paid to do all the essentials? 

It's nice to have warm and fuzzy moments, and yet that doesn't put money in the bank, nor is it a good way to attract quality talent.

Some will come and stay for a while, but ultimately such a set up will tend to function in a lowest common denominator position.

Additionally, regardless of the cause, if individuals offer their erudition and career specialties--beyond opinion--so as to increase the attractiveness and overall success of a social activist organization like RealNeo, they should receive compensation.

This is the way co-ops and non-profits work. 

Successful activist organization require paid professional employees who keep things running smoothly.  To this, there can be occasional volunteers (some paid and some not) who pitch in a few hours here and there when they can.  Interns and other contributors can add their input, speaking and writing freely on whatever they like, so far as it falls within the stated mission and guidelines.

Yet all told, what has been stated herein can not just exist in writing or rhetoric, it has to exist in everyday practice.

It has to work, or the project will become stagnant or worse.

Welcome to the planet.

Eternity

...entitled "you know, here's the thing..." one first finds the remark "The question is - who is telling whom to shut up?" 

In response to that censorship related question, a comment was thereafter posted "And beyond whatever particular..." which one will find that the majority of that comment relates to leadership and protocol @ RealNeo, using at the heart of the dialog this statement which happens to be posted at the top of every page @ RealNeo:

"...We are an open, free social network of a non-profit cooperative of people - REAL.COOP - interested in arts and culture, economy, education, environment, health and technology. REALNEO has a focus on North East Ohio - NEO - but REAL.COOP has global membership and perspectives..."

As the comment continues, it speaks in general terms about how other non-profits and co-ops around the world  operate, whether that be for instance the Humane Society, Natural Food Market co-op, Habitat for Humanity or the Red Cross.

The financial aspect of operating a citizen operated organization is but one part of the total equation, not just as applicable to Real co-op, but to any NGO of the non-profit persuasion.

Money is a good thing put to good use.  However, on its own, it cannot be expected to solve all problems.  Leadership, organization, management, education, technology and other measures must be in place as well.

Neglect, misappropriation and other forms of unsavory administration isn't the fault of people that are paid fairly for the work they do.  It's an ethical problem that must be addressed as it pertains to each specific instance, lest such thinking and behavior become system-wide. 

Imperfections exist, and yet professionals around the world have and continue to work together to operate co-ops and non-profits everyday, getting paid, under good leadership, with successful results that serve the greater good--fulfilling their mission(s).

Eternity

...one quickly realizes (read above thread) that the point being made relates not to Clevelands own intrenched socio-political corruption, instead speaking to functioning modalities proven effective for operating co-ops and non-profits that have good governance.

As well, in the follow-up comment, found here, it clearly states that:

The financial aspect of operating a citizen operated organization is but one part of the total equation, not just as applicable to Real co-op, but to any NGO of the non-profit persuasion.

Money is a good thing put to good use.  However, on its own, it cannot be expected to solve all problems.  Leadership, organization, management, education, technology and other measures must be in place as well.

Neglect, misappropriation and other forms of unsavory administration isn't the fault of people that are paid fairly for the work they do.  It's an ethical problem that must be addressed as it pertains to each specific instance, lest such thinking and behavior become system-wide. 

Imperfections exist, and yet professionals around the world have and continue to work together to operate co-ops and non-profits everyday, getting paid, under good leadership, with successful results that serve the greater good--fulfilling their mission(s).

Eternity

People who ask for help from non-profits should not to work so hard to obtain the work or to get it finished. Granted, we has a really wet fall. To get them back to finish it, you will need to start requesting the assistance in February to get back at the top of the list.

Programs are written from the top down, and funded by the top down, and you are right that it is more about employing staff than getting the programs into the hands of the residents. In this case, Eternity is correct about the other pieces that need to be in place, especially about good leadership. That also means good leadership in the non-profit and the non-profit board.

Be the squeaky wheel. Go get your grease, girl!

Hope that the holiday season is going well for you, W14R. Rest up. Plans those shade and sun garden spots, tall and short plant area. You have a lot of work ahead this spring.