posted on behalf of Andrea:
SO, some of you are aware of what's happened regarding the potential future of TAA. Those of you who aren't are about to be.
those of you who attended the online meeting last month, were made aware of certain goals that we want to achieve for the website as a whole.
Earlier this week I was contacted by a company, who is based in the UK, who are extremely interested in funding our possible development. Some of the ideas we're kicking around include the possibility of merging our low tech site, with their high tech one, and that's just one idea that's been put to the table. It fits in with our global approach and it makes me quiver to think about what could come from this.
To that end, I'll be traveling to London on Sept. 5th. We'll discuss the potential, take a look at the possibilities and come back and report to YOU on what we've accomplished.
There is absolutely no chance of TAA losing it's identity. I will not allow that, we will not allow this very exciting possibility to change how we do things, or more importantly why we do things. I'll be in London for a week and you can expect regular updates on how things are going, and hopefully pictures as well.
Now. The hard part. Most of you know that I have kept a pretty "sucky" job in order for me to have time to work on TAA. It takes everything I have, and regular injections from you all, to keep us online and growing. Hence the dilemma. Funding for the trip. If you can hit the donate button, we would appreciate it, as my airfare and hotel are of course, covered, I really don't want to go half way around the world and look like the "poor little admin from Chuctown". On the flipside, I don't plan to be overly extravagant either,(ask the editorial board, I am known as A tightwad , however am quite sure I'll be faced with some unanticipated expenses. If you can help to fund this trip, I personally would much appreciate it, the board mods and editorial board have kicked in what they can, and any excess funds will simply be put to the website expenses, which escalate every day it seems, with our growing user base.
We use Paypal for this sort of thing, because Paypal has set up a check card, which will function internationally and has all the appearances of a MasterCard. We use it to pay the TAA Expenses as it is, and I'll use it in the UK to cover things like the occasional dinner I'm sure I'll need to purchase.
I'm filled with a sense of being really overwhelmed at the moment, in fact the editorial board can tell you that I haven't been able to articulate clearly for nearly two days, my mind is awash with the possibilities. It could all fall apart and I'll be back here middle of Sept. telling you that it just didn't work out. On the other hand, I could be back here telling you about wondrous things that we now have the resources to make happen.
It's a gamble, one I'm asking you to help fund. I am not at liberty to discuss the company involved, however any of you who know me know darn well I wouldn't run to London unless I thought it was something that would be productive. I'll be taking a week off from work without salary, it's a step I Can't really afford, but unavoidable. If you can help fund this trip, I'm asking you to do it today. Take along with me the ultimate leap of faith, and let's hope it's the final time you're asked to jump off the cliff along with us.
Additionally, if anyone has a digital camera that they can lend for the duration of the trip, I'd be much obliged, I'd kind of like to document the trip for you all, and let you see it thru my eyes. and mine has died, (of course!)
Will TAA change? never. Might it get better? oh yeah.
the donate button is here:
www.administrative-assist...ontact.htm
your help and support are, as always, appreciated.
Andrea
