The Compartment called ISABS

ISABSians, community, monthly meeting

Today, the monthly meeting happened.

There were confirmations from 11 people only two of those confirmations actually turned out to be true. 5 people attended the meeting. Altaf, his wife Roshni and son Amaan and my husband, Raka and I. We had a great time, spoke about things of importance to us, and in general I would say that the time was spent well.

We used the opportunity to get to know each other better. We were acquainted, but had not really interacted much, and coming to know Altaf and Roshni better was fantastic for us. We have a lot in common in terms of interests, work. Perhaps, if this was a regular meeting, we wouldn’t have been able to do this. Then went for a ride on the toy train.

However, this attendance mess raises some disturbing questions in my mind.

What does ISABS really mean to people when they are not on an event?

Over 500 people get the newsletter, out of which, some 11 people contacted to express their intention to attend the meeting. A few contacted to confirm that they couldn’t come. Our of the 9 that had said they would, but did not attend, two called me to tell me that they wouldn’t - the rest of the 7 didn’t seem to find it necessary to inform a change in their plans. This is a pretty large percentage of people who don’t have an issue with leaving people waiting for them for a community that values sensitivity.

The kind of commitment and community spirit we claim on an event, and how much of it remains with us in our normal life…..  Does ISABS turn into yet another demand on our time, rather than something we do for ourselves?

I’m angry at being misled like this. It is not about the lack of attendance, but about people saying they will come and then not bothering to inform when they change their minds. Luckily, I love the national park, and even if I was the only person to attend, I couldn’t regret being there, so my overall mood still remained good.

Do we also leave our learnings behind?

This is what I was thinking of, as I waited for people to land up. If all that awareness and being there for people and all just dissolve as easy as this, what is it that we actually take back from a programme? Or do self-explorations simply become “emotional vacations” after which we return to our rat races and can’t afford to care any more? Who are we really fooling then?

Do we really want monthly meetings?

Or is it just another impulsive desire when we are with the community which goes away when we return home?

In the previous meeting, there was an overwhelming response to the suggestion of a meeting in the outdoors. Everyone wanted it - full day, overnight…… we fixed the date then itself. But when the meeting actually was announced, not even everyone claiming enthusiasm bothered to respond to the announcement, and then those who did, said they were busy and then those who said they would come, didn’t land up.

Therefore, I request people to confirm attendance not because they would like to say it, but only if they are really planning on coming, and then if plans change, please inform, so that you are not expected any more. Its really basic social manners.

We have a need to get an idea of the actual attendance, so that if we need to plan for something, we can.

Vidyut @ February 10, 2008