Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 11:55:43 -0700
To: "MHOCCA List" <mhocca@egroups.com>
From: "Gerald Minsk" <birdnest@mciworld.com>
Subject: Re: [MHOCCA] 8-1-00 CMHS meeting - long

To Bill:

Any and all communication within the last few days has not been personal, and I would hope not perceived that way. In relationship to how PRTNS [Project Return The Next Step] and DMH Client Coalition selects consumers to go to events, trips, etc., the reason why the same people keep appearing to be going to these affairs is indicative of the exclusiveness of the inner sanctum of the client culture, which enables, protects, and perpetuates the leadership of all of consumer organizations. Keeping in mind all groups, whether they be consumer or mainstream, typically 5% are active, do the work and are in positions of leadership I think would be close (to quote Ron Schraiber) without empirical evidence to back this up, I would submit this is probably a pretty good estimate.

The problem still exists: “How do we empower and reach out to the other 80 to 90 percent into becoming more involved and active?” One of the ways, obviously, in the South in regards to specifically the California Network and the DMH Client Coalition would be to work on more outreach and going into facilities in areas that have not or are not aware and have access to our presence. I applaud your efforts, as executive director of PRTNS, in expanding the number of your clubs

However, I again remind you that on Skid Row we do not have any active participation from either the Network, Project Return, or the Client Coalition. The fundamental flaw is these groups need to come down, not with representatives, but to hold meetings and directly network with consumers that live, and are receiving services in their community which they have chosen, either by circumstance or choice. I feel it is a disservice to write them off, post meeting notices to organizations or activities of which few people have really no knowledge or experience of, to expect that they will jump on the bandwagon and get involved. It is our responsibility as advocates to try to reach as many people as possible using our resources, as meager as they might be, in order to include and empower as many as we can.

I too, do not have a laptop, and you know about my spelling, and will be going on vacation starting September 14th through the 21st and Sept. 25th through October 2nd. I would hope that we can continue to work together on all of these issues and to continue to struggle to improve and advocate for much needed continued change in the mental health system.

Your friend and fellow advocate,

Gerald N. Minsk