marinadock.org

Non-Profit Corporation

The Marina Dock Newsletter MAY 2003

Dear Marina Dock members and patrons alike,

It looks like, just maybe, things are turning around. People are again venturing out of their abodes and checking out their environs. I notice an energy again abroad on the streets. People chatting, looking in shop windows, talking with an air of relief, discussing plans and expectations. Mundane stuff like weddings, parties, divorces, graduations, facials and medical checkups, are once again back on the agenda. Being human, we strive for the comfortable and the familiar. We seek the secure and the permanent and we deny as long as possible intimations of mortality. Many years ago, when I was a kid in primary school we had to read a story about the poet Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849). He was a pretty interesting guy, although I can no longer recite his poem "The Raven" (1845) verbatim. A few lines have however survived the ravages of time and inebriation:

The Raven
But the Raven still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

My teacher Miss O'Malley (whom I had a continental size crush on) told us that Poe, in the years before his death at 40, had taken to sleeping in a coffin. He apparently told people that he did this to remind himself of the fragility of the mortal chord. I believe in times of strife and conflict we are, in one way or another, all somehow reminded of our fragility and interdependence - "no man is an island".

meetings need support

I would again like to remind everyone there are many ways you can contribute towards The Marina Dock. Right now we have several meetings that are on the verge of extinction:

  • The Wednesday night ACA meeting needs a secretary and some people to keep it going.
  • The Friday night CODA Group needs a new secretary and some support.
  • There are several small NA meetings Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and now Friday night, that could use some help.

I know there are many people who ask me from time to time how they can help even if they cannot contribute? The answer is show up and get involved. Instead of promoting meetings at other locations try a little of the "charity begins at home" approach. Ask one of the staff members how you can get a commitment. There are several meetings that need your contribution. In many respects, this is more important long-term than anything else you might do for us.
Just to remind people; there is a parking lot on the little narrow street called Moulton. It's between Lombard and Greenwich and you enter from Webster Street. It's not expensive and it's open late every night and on Friday and Saturdays until 2.00 am. We have two vibrant Midnight meetings on Friday and Saturday nights.

membership discount

It's still available we decided to continue this promotion as long as the Dow remains below 9000.00.
Today, I think it was at about 8400.00. Check out the details when you are at the Marina Dock - it's a great offer. The Internet service is a big success more and more people seem to be using it. It's not a big moneymaker for us but I felt we needed it many of our patrons seem to agree.
In case you are asking why I always talk about finances and contributions in the newsletter its because people (some people), "The Coalition of The Giving", actually reads this stuff and make donations

"houston, we have a problem"

So how do we do it? Well, we "rob Peter to pay Paul", we pray, we turn it over and eventually when we have a better month than usual, we play catch up and pay off some of our overdue bills. Like I said, stay tuned for details. I felt that needed to be said.

You may have noticed in that this economy many Non-Profits are going to the wall Statewide. Even the San Francisco Opera is in trouble and they have all kinds off financial connections.

I hate sounding like a whiner, I love the job the challenge and the fact that we are saving lives.

Until next time,

Anthony T. Murray ("Irish Tony")
 
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