Wow. I had tossed that question out rhetorically. Thank you, lamarca for your courageous and thoughtful response. From the many replies, it is clear that many of us are mindful of some of these issues.

    I tend to agree that Mudcat will never have the structure to partner with FSGW organizationally. It is also apparent that many of us 'Catters are ready and willing to share more in the tremendous work involved in putting on the Getaway, from financial support to practical support at the Getaway itself. Maybe some one who is both "Catter and local FSGW member could act as coordinator/liason to involve us willing 'catters in a non-chaotic way.

    Any time enough people are in groups, there will be smaller social groups within. Families within clans within tribes, and others will feel uncomfortable. For example, While some non-Catters may feel excluded by the mudcat cabin late night sings, some of us 'Catters have often felt excluded in the TV room scene. It is human nature, I guess. I think the best we can do is be aware of it, and as individuals do what we can to mitigate.
(And then there is little ol' insecure me, and those of my ilk, who often feel on the outside looking in anytime there are more than 2 people present;>)

    None of that changes the reality of the magical weekend that the experience of the Getaway becomes for so many of us. Sounds like many of us on Mudcat are willing to step up to help FSGW make that magic happen. Let's continue to explore how we can best do that.

Janie