Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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MicheleQ
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Posted: May 20 2007 at 8:24pm | IP Logged Quote MicheleQ
I'm just reading this whole thread now and I just finished reading Steve's letter. I understand what he's saying - boy do I ever! Margot - didn't we have a conversation similar to this a few weeks ago?

I'm sorry FIAR is dealing with this (though not surprised) but I'm glad Steve wrote what he did because it helps all of us when there is greater understanding. This isn't just about small publishing businesses in the homeschool world, it's about the little guy everywhere who can't compete with the big dogs.

I'm a small publisher and what I do that keeps me afloat is simple; I don't wholesale to anyone. If you want my planner you have to get it from me (with the exception of my Jan. - Dec. planner which a very few retail Catholic bookstores carry). I know that frustrates some people but honestly I can't afford to do otherwise. I won't go into the details of all it takes to get the planner out there but if I add wholesaling on top of it that just makes it that much harder.

I have noticed the "Wal-mart" mentality. I suffer from it myself at times, though much less so now since becoming a small business. I understand because it's a natural thing given all we are able to buy at a discount in this country but I will be honest and tell you that's a little disheartening to put forth so much effort on something and then be criticized for a price that I feel really is reasonable. I am not talking to anyone here mind you! You have all been wonderful. Imagine though what it feels like to get to a conference (having paid for the table(s), gas or airfare, hotel, food etc.- never mind time away from your family) only to face an irritated customer who thinks they should get a discount because they're buying at a conference (never mind that you saved them shipping). It makes you ask "why am I doing this again?" to which the only answer can be "to serve". If I don't think that way it would be too easy to quit. Please don't think I am complaining - most people are not like this and truly I am SO appreciative of the support I have been given. But like Steve wrote - there are some that really leave you scratching your head.

In regards to curriculum:
Elizabeth wrote:
Honestly, I think that the homeschooling movement will grow and thrive on cooperation over competition. It's people like Michele and Kathryn, who put an entire curriculum up for free, who propel us forward monumentally. They put it up and encouraged people to borrow bits and pieces, to share what worked and what didn't, to help each other along the way. They didn't worry about credit and they didn't worry about cost. They went out on a limb to promote an ideal because the ideal was worth it.

Truly, I found myself inspired and in awe. It wasn't about the credit and it wasn't about a profit. Instead, it was digital support and encouragement for support's and encouragement's sake. We could change the face of home education and change a generation for God if we all worked together that way.


I am humbled by these words. Truly. But surprised too because you have been doing this same thing for years Elizabeth - since we started CCM (actually I would imagine before that - with your column). You have given of yourself time and time again. You have set an inspiring example.

The motivation behind Mater Amabilis never was profit or recognition but it wasn't anything heroic either. It was just. . .an idea - something to offer based on what we had learned. I'm glad people find it useful - truth be told I had no idea it would be so popular. It is however the work of the Holy Spirit and whatever good it has done, it is His.

Elizabeth wrote:
I guess what I was getting at is that I realized that if I get caught up in who will get the credit for every idea or who will be compensated for every thought, I could be paralyzed to the point where I don't put anything out there ever. Or I could spend a ridiculous amount of time seeing who has a new twist on my idea and making sure they credit the original source. But I'm not the original source. Ever. God is. If I just do what He tells me and not worry about cost or credit, He'll provide opportunities paid and unpaid to spread good things. God wants us to share without counting the cost. It's very liberating to accept that in a bit of a spirit of poverty and charity and to know that He'll take care of the details.


Amen! I couldn't have said it better. Really, we have to remember this --this is what Christian charity is all about.

Back to MA for a minute. . .
Cay Gibson wrote:
I prefer to have it in inky black on crispy white paper that I can feel and smell and cuddle in bed with. Sounds like my dog, doesn't it. That's why I'm so glad that Michele and Kathryn will be offering their curricula in printed form. By the time I cut/paste/copy the free information online, I'll have paid more for the printed copy than I can order it from them.


I'm trying but am assuming God has a reason why I haven't been able to get it done yet so I'm trusting that, and hoping you and others can be patient.

FWIW, Steve's letter also points out why the decision to sell books via Mater Amabilis is such a difficult one and one that frankly is still not decided on here. It's a HUGE outlay of funds, space and time which we just don't have right now. And then we're competing with Amazon and others... Again we're trusting God to make it clear and for right now it's just not happening.

Elizabeth wrote:
What does the future look like? So many people credit Sonlight and FIAR and KONOS with teaching them how to educate at home. How do those providers stay afloat and how do we go forward with a new generation of homeschoolers?


It's a good question as this is an issue among Catholic curriculum providers too. I don't think the answer is undercutting prices or bashing each other's teaching methods (I have seen both - not here but you know what I mean) but despite what we profess to believe we live in a fallen world with fallen natures and some of this will never be resolved this side Heaven. Still, would that we could all get along and share in the way Christ intended.

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TracyQ
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Posted: May 21 2007 at 9:08am | IP Logged Quote TracyQ
MicheleQ wrote:


Elizabeth wrote:
What does the future look like? So many people credit Sonlight and FIAR and KONOS with teaching them how to educate at home. How do those providers stay afloat and how do we go forward with a new generation of homeschoolers?


It's a good question as this is an issue among Catholic curriculum providers too. I don't think the answer is undercutting prices or bashing each other's teaching methods (I have seen both - not here but you know what I mean) but despite what we profess to believe we live in a fallen world with fallen natures and some of this will never be resolved this side Heaven. Still, would that we could all get along and share in the way Christ intended.


It's SO true, and very sad indeed! I feel very badly for the smaller publishers too, because it's becoming so difficult. I don't know what the answers are, but I do know that I've been blessed by so many wonderful homeschoolers (many here) who've taken the risk to serve and bless others. May God bless THEM richly through their service.

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