Blinded by Lack of Abundance

I just had the most insane conversation today. I called the president of a local women’s group to ask if she would email the members about the upcoming Arkansas Women’s Conference. I’m on the planning committee for this group.

Her response to me made me realize why women haven’t gotten further in this world. She told me that since no one from our conference had showed up to her organization’s recent event (which was fairly expensive, I might add), she couldn’t help us out, as we have to help one another, and we hadn’t done that for them.

My jaw hit the floor. I know that our conference chair had emailed their event info to all on our committee and passed it out at our meetings. However, because only 2 of us there are business owners, none of the other members were interested in attending, as they didn’t feel it was relevant to them. Moreover, most would have had to pay out of their own pockets to attend, as their employers wouldn’t have covered the cost.

I was so amazed at her response, however, that I just ended the conversation, without revealing to her what had been done on our end.

My worst realizations about this group had been confirmed–they were only interested in extending a helping hand if there’s something in it for them. I had gotten this sense about this group all along, but she just confirmed in for me in black and white. I know that the AR Women’s Conference serves several causes, as the proceeds of the conference, after expenses, go to fund several non-profit agencies focusing on women’s needs.

Right now I’m ashamed to say I’m a member of this self-serving local women’s group, and am about to tell them to terminate my membership. If you’re not going to come from a place of abundance and caring about and have to play the back scratching game, I’m taking my toys and going home.

That self-serving attitude is one that I can clearly live without.