Yes, you saw that correctly.

I am Asking! For more than one thing.

First though– news that makes my heart sing.

We are thisclose to meeting our Basic goal of $2k for the month of November. Like seriously, y’all. We’re at a little under $1900 for the month.

This is a big deal.

Sharing a basic budget with you all is a risk. It felt like a referendum. This entire month I have worried about what is, for me, a hardcore bold move. What if people said a collective ‘Nah’?

But you didn’t. And that confidence in us and faith in our vision and method has been sitting right next to me as I write, research, do deep dives with Marlise and the rest of the Admin team, engage with supporters (and detractors–they’re coming out of the woodwork lately. Hey Ma! We made it!! Heh.), and plan for the future. That I feel there will be a future, that this will continue, and that my long arcs–not just the day to day, but being able to walk with you at the pace and heft and depth I feel is necessary for systemic change is not just possible, but also assured.

And trust me. I cannot, could not, do anything even close to the vision that dances in front of me without Marlise, Claire, and now Irene (you’ll get to know her better real soon!) Which is why being able to go beyond Basic, so we can reimburse our dedicated team in sorta insulting (they disagree) ways now, but steadily ramp up so they are recognized for even a fraction of their value to us all. I am asking that we not stop; that we continue this upward trend. I am confident that we can surpass that number.

As well, we are heading into the holiday season. We will continue doing Asks, but we are realistic. We know that the possibility of engagement going down is real, and we have only a little over a month to show financial viability as we go into the New Year. I hope you will keep us in mind now, as we begin to close out November, but also in December, where we will continue to serve you, but we could get lost in the shuffle.

Again, wow. And thank you.

But wait! There’s more!

Another Ask!

This time for engagement.

Some of our detractors have noticed the relative dearth of engagement on the new website, and have used that data point to cast aspersions on the legitimacy and worth of the site itself.

It would be easy to blow them off as drive by critics, but guess what?

They’re right.

Views are steadily increasing on the website, but post engagement *is* down.

I know the new website is a bit daunting; new guidelines, new ways to post, new visuals. It’s intimidating.

Trust me, I know. I have been whining to Marlise for a month now! But I am getting the hang of it! You can too!

We need to ramp up engagement, and have the same robust conversations we have been used to.

You will not be reminded. This is something you have to do . Even with crossposting to the Page, you will not see us pop up as much in your feed.

This is why we will be asking for a dedicated cohort who can and will commit to robust and reliable engagement on the site. If this describes you, let me know, either here, or in my next post this weekend.

This cohort may be who we pull the next iteration of the Gaggle, so if you are interested in either or both, stand and be counted!

So Two Asks! In the spirit of optimism and anticipation!

Honestly, I am assuming we are going to make November and December goals, which is why I look at Marlise’s to-do list for me and smile. Cuz I know I will get to do them.

With your help.

Engage with the Page. Engage with the Site. Engage with us financially.

This belongs to you.

In solidarity,

Your Lace