Fighting "4" Us is getting bigger, and while a bigger group means more responsibilities, it also means we can take on more projects that involve YOU: the Fighting "4" Us website readers. We know that money is tight, so we created four brand new types of membership that are custom designed for your life. Here for your reading pleasure is a short description of each of those four membership types:
Type 1: Our already existing Yahoo group, "Fightingfirewithfire", will keep you informed as to what's going on in the world of Fighting "4" Us, without another big punch to your pocketbook. In fact, there won't be a punch at all! Fightingfirewithfire is an email group that will keep you in the know. Emails can include questions from you, articles from us, and even just conversations about what‘s going on in the wide world of chronic pain. To get involved, just click here, answer a few questions, and your world will be connected with ours! It's that simple!
Type 2: This is a membership for people who have a little bit more time, but not a lot of money (and let's face it, that's pretty much all of us!). For a suggested donation of just fifteen dollars a year, new members would be allowed to go to a special members-only section of the website, and would also be part of our Fightingfirewithfire Yahoo groupo. They would also get a button and a yearly letter. All members are important to us, but these members will help us keep our bank account full and ready to be used for programs such as our website and the "Fighter of the Year" award. If you can not afford the fifteen dollar membership charge, don't worry, just email us at info@fighting4us.com and let us know. If you can afford to give more then the recommended amount, we appriciate your doing so, as this will cover the cost of those who can not afford it.
Type 3: If you have plenty of time but not a lot of money on your hands, then the Fighting "4" Us Board of Directors is for you. The board's job is to run all parts of the organization, from fundraising to the website. Monthly meetings are held online, in an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) chat room and usually last one to two hours. As a board member, you will be given the same perks as our paying members, yet you don't need to give a financial donation, as your dedication and service to the group will more than pay for the costs of your membership. If you would like to be a Fighting "4" Us Board member, simply email info@fighting4us.com with your name and AIM screen name. If you don't have a screen name, send us an email and we will send you the steps to obtain one. One you have a screen name, simply sign on to the instant messenger system a few minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin. You will receive an IM from one of the seasoned board members telling you how to join in on the fun, and then you're all set to help us make this organization everything you want it to be.
Type 4: If you want to be a part of Fighting "4" Us, but would like to do it from your home town, then a Fighting "4" Us local group is for you. One part support group, one part non-profit, a local group is set up by you and a few friends and supported by the executive director. As a non-profit, you will work with Fighting "4" Us to help raise money to help us be an organization that can work closer with the individual people of your group, city, and state. As a support group, members of your group will help each other deal with the trials and tribulations of living with a chronic pain disorder. The rules for your specific local group will be determined by you and the other members. After that it is up to you to keep the group going (though you will have some help from the executive director). If you want to start a local group, but don't have any friends in your area who want to join you, check out the community page of this website. If you find someone on the list that is in your area, you can hook up with them to create a local group; if there is no one from your area on the list, email info@fighting4us.com, telling us your name, email address, and city and state where you live. Only your city and state will be on the site, but when someone writes in and says they are from your city as well, we will connect them with you, and get you started on the process of making your own group! It sounds complicated, but is simpler than it sounds. Email your questions, or to tell us you want to start the process info@fighting4us.com.
