Between volunteer hours and doctor's appointments at the VA, I have been on the run ever since I 'recovered' from my flu/cold/mold illness. Not that I am well yet; I still suffer from sinus congestion that nothing seems to help. I've gone through boxes of Kleenex. I just want to be able to breathe again!
I have really neglected my artwork. I am discouraged. While I never had any training in art be it formal or otherwise, I still thought I was a decent artist. I am, however, not selling, and art as a hobby is quite expensive. Maybe that is just an excuse...
I have immersed myself in the USCG Auxiliary and editing and laying out publications. I produce 23 issues a year for the Auxiliary and another 4 for VSA. By the end of February, I will have produced 5 newsletters. Already, three are published and another two are in process. I find the local newsletters- for my flotilla and division to be the hardest because I end up writing most of these as well as editing and laying them out. Members send me snippets of information that I have to build sentences and paragraphs around.
I think one of the hardest parts of my job is convincing flotilla editors that writing the newsletter is up to them. Too many complain that "nobody sends me anything to publish." We have dozens of flotillas that never publish and give that as an excuse. Duh! That is your job! In private industry, reporters and editors don't wait for stories to fall on their desks, so why do our members think it is different in the Auxiliary? Go to meetings and take notes. Go to the scheduled events and take pictures!
Think I might explain that I am in charge of the publications department in my district, and it is my job to train and motivate over 100 editors. All are volunteers and very few have any background in writing, editing or graphic arts. At the beginning of every year, a lot of my time goes to training other publications officers (editors).
I need a rest.