GASi President

Every three months, when the Contexts Editor asks me for this introduction, I have a renewed struggle with my faith – or with my lack of it.

Because, dear reader, I don’t believe that you exist.

I am like the religious observant, who performs the rituals of his belief, without true conviction.  He takes his place, utters his prayers, makes the correct responses, but all the time he does so without a sense that the supposed object of his devotion is listening.  And yet, when the holy authorities call on him to do so – he dutifully responds.

If you were there, dear reader, I would tell you that what preoccupies me, at the moment, when I wake in the night, is the number of registrants for our symposium. Will we have enough to avoid making a loss? Then, along comes a caravan of concerns about how to meet the needs of those who have a longing to come to Barcelona, but may be defeated by the expense.  How are we going to raise enough funds to enable them to come and thereby create the sort of meeting that we want and need?  I wonder how to encourage, or persuade, more of us to contribute to the bursary fund? How to communicate and be confident of being heard? Then, just as I have silenced those anxious camels, along comes another, which reminds me to wonder where the next Treasurer is going to come from.

In order to improve my sleep, dear reader, I would ask you to help me with these matters.

If only you were there.

David
dearjee@gmail.com