ZGram - 2/2/2003 - "ZGram fundraising time..."

[irimland@zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

February 2, 2003

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

This Zundelsite fundraiser was supposed to have gone out yesterday, 
February 1st, but  naturally the shuttle accident wiped people's 
minds clear of any other cause.  So let me try today:

I am going to level with you.  I have now done ZGrams for more than 
seven years - and, frankly, I am wondering if I should continue to 
ship them.  In the beginning, I did a great many originals because my 
website was embroiled in attack after attack by the usual suspects - 
and what I did was novel and timely.  But as websites and news 
services -  very similar to mine - multiplied and web surfers became 
more familiar with using the web, including search engines, and as 
the attacks on my own website lessened and finally stopped 
altogether, I did not see why I should continue.

Some two, three years ago I proposed to drop my ZGrams altogether 
because I strongly felt my service was no longer relevant.  In fact, 
some people told me so.  It seemed that I was merely duplicating the 
work of others, and that I should try something new.

I caused a mini-cyberstorm!  My readers had become not only used to 
me, but a bit ZGram-addicted.  I had a flood of letters and was 
persuaded one more time to keep on shooting ZGrams out into 
cyberspace.

But many things had drastically changed in my life in the meantime. 
Ernst and I married and moved to Tennessee.  We combined two 
households and merged our work, rebuilding and streamlining 
Zundel-Haus tasks.  We  worked like the proverbial beavers, but much 
is still left undone or, at best, half-done.

Whereas in Toronto both full-time staff and volunteers helped, now 
it's pretty much just Ernst and myself.  Our workload has not 
changed, even though both scope and importance of what we are doing 
have changed.  We are doing a great many new things, since 
Revisionists are now no longer at the fringes.  We are no longer 
"narrow-casting" - now our emphasis is broad and mainstream.

I find myself in such a time squeeze that, of necessity, I barely 
manage to send out what others have written - and to find time for 
even that proves difficult.  And ever more I have to ask myself if it 
would not be wiser to put my energies where I can be truly creative 
and stop sending out articles and press releases that people can get 
on their own.

I realize I still provide a service by sorting, sifting and judging 
- choosing articles that speak to the concerns of our times, but at 
the very least, my time ought to pay for itself.  Therefore, here is 
the bottom line:  If my readers want me to continue, they will have 
to help financially in a truly meaningful way.  If  I can pay for 
office help to cover some of the menial chores and ease my load a 
bit, and if my readers want me to, I will keep doing what I have been 
doing.  If there is just a trickle of support, I shall stop ZGram-ing.

That does not mean that I will quit my work.  I'll simply redirect my 
energies.  It's up to you.  I mean it.

There are two ways that you can help:

1.   As before, you can send me a twice-a-year donation, the amount 
of which is entirely up to you.  You send me what your conscience 
dictates and what your pocketbook allows.  I feel that "twice a year" 
is not too much to ask, given that I never take a break for weekends, 
holidays etc.  If everybody had chipped in in the past, I wouldn't 
have to write this letter.

2.   I now have access to a storefront of sorts, and with the help of 
several neighbors, I started holding monthly lawn sales for tourists 
passing by.  There is a most important story behind this new endeavor 
I cannot reveal at this time - let me just say that the items that 
tourists are looking for include, above all else, American and 
European antiques, rare books, new items of any kind, custom jewelry, 
pretty knick knacks such as vases, figurines, collectibles etc. 
Also, exotic items from other countries will be sought-after items 
for tourists.  Anything that's either valuable or pretty.  Don't send 
me old T-shirts or shoes!

If you know how to use PayPal, use irimland@zundelsite.org .  I don't 
take credit cards.

If you can't make a financial contribution and don't have any 
saleable items yourself, take a weekend afternoon stroll and scour 
garage sales in your neighborhood.  You'll be amazed what you will 
find.  Ask neighbors.  Ask relatives.  EVERYBODY please participate. 
Be determined and creative - and I will do the rest.

You don't have to give me your name - although if you do, I will send 
you some promo materials.

Ingrid