1st Expats voice meeting provisional date 13th Aug 2006

[Susie]

Hello

I would like to set a date for our very first expats voice meeting and feel the best day of the week would be on a Sunday afternoon but any open to ideas for an alternative date also venue to meet. Hopefully this will give us all time to block out that date as the more people who can attend the better

Should a suitable venue not be found then you are all more than welcome to meet at my home, just bring a beer or two and I will supply some nibbles.

This will be informal so we can hopefully put faces to names etc., have a laugh (god knows we all need it)

If anyone is able or willing to join me and help me form a committee please PM me as we need to start planning our way forward. The committee will hopefully meet monthly/quarterly whatever the majority feel best

Please let me know your thoughts

[Bobby]

33 views and not ONE response???

Count me in Susie. Would love to attend and give whatever support one attendee affords.

Bobby

[fllion]

me also sue ,any help needed just let me know ,

[charliesmum]

Susie

You know you can count on me.

Zoe

[lorraine]

Hi sounds good, I would be up for the meeting and I have a friend who would also, although I think Davenport maybe bit far. She lives in Sanford I live in Winter Garden any chance near to disney then the men could take kids there whilst we go to meeting??? Thanks Kind regards Lorraine

[Kriz1]

Davenport is near to Disney...our place is about a 15 min drive...

I would of been in Davenport on that date Sue..but now I'm not there till mid Sept...so maybe I'll see you then...I'll DM you my FL phone number...

[Ron]

Hi

Me too

I will do my best to attend

[Susie]

Hi

Great stuff, looks as though the 13th Aug will be the date

Thanks to those people who sent me a PM to offer to be on our committee.

The more people who can make it the better, so keep posting here so I can cater for numbers

As quite a few will attend I think it would be a good idea if I invite the reporter from the Leger, The overseas correspondant for the Mail and ask Kelly from the Sentinal as I am sure that once we meet socially then we will be able to call upon them for continued support!

I would also like Alan Oakley (if he can) to invite the board of the CFPMA and other members of the CFPMA to see if they can/would like to attend as many issues relating to immigration and what happens when a loved one passes need addressing


Lets do it together then we can be a voice to be heard and hopefully acted upon

[tghriley]

Hi Sue,

I will attend also, looking forward to it.

[Doreen]

Sue

Will also be coming to the meeting.

Doreen

[Allan Oakley]

Susie;
I am no longer involved with the Board of Directors of the CFPMA.I will extend your invitation to them but am not positive this is an issue of concern the the CFPMA at this time.

[Susie]

Hi

Sunday 13th Aug 2pm

Just to let you know that the 1st expats get together will be at my home
in Sunridge Woods (Very near to exit 58 on the I 4) Davenport from 2pm. I will make sure we have some nibbles and soda's so kiddy winkles are also welcome


The more the merrier so please do not be shy as it would be great to put faces to names


Please just wiz me a pm with your contact numbers so I can give directions and address

[charliesmum]

Hi

OK so who's going on Sunday - looking forward to putting faces to names.

Steve and I will be there.

Zoe

[Susie]

Hi

Lin and Dave

Zoe and Steve

Richard and wife (Sorry cannot spell it)

Bobby + Tracey

Doreen + Adult son

Paul & Dawn

Ireen & Hubby

TJH Riley + ?

Peter and Emma arriving from UK same day

Mark & Jodi

Ashley & Jen

Kelly Griffiths

My immigration attorney

Others have said they will try to come so we will see

For those who need my address I will send a PM very soon


Me off course

[Susie]

Hi


Forgot to mention

I have extended an invitation to my attorney and his pa. I am hoping that at he or one of his staff will be able to attend, fingers crossed

When I met with him the other week he was and is very impressed with our site and aims

[Susie]

Hi

My attorney wishes to support our aims and will be coming , which is great

If anyone else would like to join us please send me a pm so I can give out directions etc.

[Kitty]

Hi

Sorry I cannot be with you but will be thinking of you all, good luck and let us all know how it goes

Kitty

[DavidL]

Sorry, can't make it folks, but hope you all have a productive meeting.

[Allan Oakley]

Address and phone number please. I have an associate and his wife anxious to attend.I know where Sundridge Woods is located but I want to pass on the other details so they can call ahead and confirm.

[Susie]

Hi Alan

Hope you and yours can make it

Looks like there will be 25 - 30

I will send you a pm with details, but I think you are about 10 mins from me

[Susie]

Hi Alan

I tried to PM you but would not go through.

As you can imagine I am a bit reluctant to post my details so will post now and delete tomorrow

If anmyone would like my telephone number , please send me a pm Thanks

The time is 2pm onwards as long as people wish to stay

[JulieC]

Sorry I wont be able to be there. Hope it goes well.

[Doreen]

Enjoyed meeting you all this afternoon,

Thanks to Sue for her hard work and making this possible.

Doreen

[floridapete]

Kelly gave you a short write-up Sue :

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_southwest_brit/2006/08/first_expats_vo.html

[Susie]

Hi

Well, what a fantastic turn out !

I lost count of the number of people that turned up but must have been 40+ including my immigration attorney Mr James Laviigne, Kelly Griffiths of The Sentinal, her photographer, 4-5 members of the CFPMA.

Thank you all for your support and hope you all had a good time, I certainly did. I am pleased to say that there has been support shown and offered so our comittee will be formed very shortly.

My special thanks goes to Kelly, photographer and my immigration attorney for giving up their Sunday to support and be with us.

I am meeting with Kelly today at around 1pm for a one on one interview and believe a video camera man may be coming. I will let you know when the story goes to print

[Susie]

Hi Peter

Thanks for letting us know. Wow, Kelly has been busy.

I will post a thank you on her blog

[Bobby]

Thank you Susie for a wonderful afternoon (even if we stolled in at the tale end! ;) ....sorry!).

From what I heard, most people were able to take something from the event, whether it be useful information, hope ! or whatever.

Of course, there were the usual bozos there (IMHO), but that's going to happen across any demographic. If you can't think who they were, it must have been you!! lol

Stay tuned to the Sentinel to see what write-ups eventually make the pages. Hopefully it's a platform to raise awareness that is badly needed.

Good luck to all of you. Hopefully we can continue to meet on a regular basis outside of the forum to share information and give each other support.

Bobby

[floridapete]

As in:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_southwest_brit/2006/08/terrorists_what.html

[Bobby]

I don't think that she has been too kind there, ...me finks!

She could possibly have ended the piece with an emphasis on how important this immigration debacle is to all who attended, and although I am quite sure that we all have our own concerns about terrorism, we weren't there to discuss world politics.

Time and a place for everything, and Sunday was for immigration issues and the poor treatment of "legal" immigrants for a change.

[Kriz1]

Why was she unkind...I don't understand that one....?
She was just giving her view on a subject she thought would be a talking point if Brits got together...Kelly does a lot to bring immigration problems into the public eye...and for the most part no-one goes there to give a point of view or to add to the topic...I something wonder why she still takes an interest...

[DavidL]

I don't think that she has been too kind there, ...me finks!

She could possibly have ended the piece with an emphasis on how important this immigration debacle is to all who attended, and although I am quite sure that we all have our own concerns about terrorism, we weren't there to discuss world politics.

Time and a place for everything, and Sunday was for immigration issues and the poor treatment of "legal" immigrants for a change.

Bobby,

I didn't attend on Sunday, but if I went by KG's article I would have been none the wiser about what the meeting was all about. Wasted opportunity in my mind. Do we really need futher views or another opinion on the 'stopped plot?' I personally get enough views here on Cable.......

[Kriz1]

I'm sorry I have so much to say...but I'll not say it...I'll just say a thank you to Kelly for giving us Brits a space to air our view....WHICH MOST OF US DON'T USE......

[charliesmum]

I think Kelly was just making a comment about the fact that we weren't there in a party atmosphere and all talking about each other and life in general. The afternoon eas really all about immigration and everyone I spoke to was there for that reason.

Kelly came yesterday to meet with Susie and I was there for support and I also talked about the plight of the E2er. I think she is planning a larger piece, and I got the impression that it wasn't for her blog, about this forum and how it can help people. Susie's story will be told, as it is a very good example of what can happen when things don't go according to plan and how little support and help is there for us.

Zoe

[Bobby]

I find it interesting that her attendance and subsequent article are being viewed this way. Her derogation towards the whole group surprises me. Right down to the fact that someone had the audacity to sneak out and show someone else their wake-board. C'mon. Wake up everyone!

I hate journalists the world over who use and manipulate whatever angle they can get on ANY subject. I'm not saying that Kelly has acted like this, but she clearly knew what the subject of conversation was going to be on Sunday, so to report that none of us spoke of the stopped terrorist plot instead, is a bit unfair I think.

It read to me that she was implying that the foiled terrorist plot should mean more, to more people, than the plight of the Ex-pat, and there lies the problem. I think she has made us look self-centered and ignorant as a group, and oblivious to matters elsewhere, which we all know is far from the truth. I don't think spinning this article has helped us in any way, and that's why I pointed it out.

As any journalist knows, "don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!"

I can understand everyone sticking up for her if she is the planned route for media exposure, but I'd perhaps be the first to ask her why she would would write something about our group that portrays such ignorance.

Bobby

[paulbweb]

I know I wasn't there but after reading the article, it seems to me anyway, that her mentioning of the "no talk about terrorism", was a reference to how the British take things like this in their stride and aren't phased by it. To me it reads "Brits love Florida and America so much that no terrorist is going to stop them from coming here." After 911, Americans looked to the British on how to live with terrorism, because they had never really experienced it before, and many were impressed with and admired our matter of fact attitude and plain stubborn refusal to let our daily lives be affected by it.

To me it seemed that she is softening the readers up, creating a common ground (terrorism) between the American reader and the British subject. She introduces them and makes them familiar and comfortable with the expat community, before she goes to the real issue at hand. The immigration issue is a very sensitive matter at the moment and jumping head first into this touchy subject might be misinterpreted as some kind of demand and could draw the wrong reaction from people. No doubt this is a subject that needs addressing, but it has be addressed in such a way that Americans sympathize and want to do the right thing, not be forced against the wall with one hand behind their back and told to do it, The illegals tried this and it caused a major backlash.

I definately understand and respect your perspective on this article, but after living here for almost 9yrs and having an American wife I also get to see alot of things from the other side of the fence too.

[InnVic]

I have just read Kellys article and found the tone unhelpful. I obviously wasn't at the meeting but understood that she had been invited into Susies HOME - its downright rude to accept hospitality then write a daming piece. And she missed the point completely. The reason for the meeting was to discuss E2 and other visa problems. Many of the members have not had their visas renewed or are being subject to unreasonable delays...and not having a valid/current visa means no travel. If we are not able to leave the country why should flight delays be the prime focus of discussion? Obviously had the plot not been foiled and lives were lost then I'm sure she would have found the group in a different mind set.

[Susie]

Hi

Just so you know the blog is not the story, so please check The Sentinal, Saturday I think

On monday kelly , photographer, Zoe and I met at my home for a one on one interview. The discussion lasted for nearly 3 hours and many issues were covered.

I think the nail has been hit on the head whereby Kelly did no want to detract from the serious current situation but mention we met.

The big article (bang) is yet to come ! so please bear with her the article is yet to come

Thank you to Zoe, my rock on more than one occaision for being with and supporting me yet again

[Bobby]

Sue,

Of course after meeting you I have a much stronger understanding of how you think and I understand completely how this can help you overall, but InnVic is seeing it the way I've seen it so far, and I hope you haven't pinned your pennant to the wrong flagstaff.

It's fine that you are the founder and moderator of this great site, but be aware that there will only be a "voice" if it's united, to the good of the majority.

I think you know what I'm saying.

Bobby

[Kriz1]

I hope people just forgot that Kelly was going to do a piece in the paper itself and not in her blog...which are her views on things...which people are very welcome to add too...and mostly don't...
Sue Zoe and Kelly are working very hard in all this....both Sue and Zoe having visa troubles to live with too...Kelly has a full time job...she has no reason to take this up...she just did....I must own up to being so angry at peoples remarks today I was speechless....

[Bobby]

..Kelly has a full time job...she has no reason to take this up...she just did....I must own up to being so angry at peoples remarks today I was speechless....

We are commenting on how the piece affects the group as a whole and if you can't see that what she wrote portrays us as ignorant and incompassionate then that's up to you.

I see people latching onto a media outlet, ....and I don't like it. I think what has already been released has been detrimental to our cause as a group.

I thought the idea of collecting and interviewing people with a common goal as immigrants (Ex-Pats Voice) was to have the plight of the Ex-Pat, who had paid enough money to get here, heard somewhere apart from the Orlando Sentinel.

Obviously, I appreciate that it's a start, but I wouldn't be pinning my colors to this mast based on what she's written already. She may be seen as a media outlet, and of course those who chat to her one on one may feel that she has compassion for the cause, but I have to ask why she would put her name to the piece after being a guest in Sue's house. I believe the person she must have been speaking about showing their wakeboard to guests must have been Sue's son Mark, ....unless someone showed up with a board on their roof. Either way, it's disrespectful, and if I ran the site I'd be looking at a more sympathetic rag to help me.

Can she please answer here why she's written about something other than the awkward positions of legal immigrants, when that's all she was asked along to support??

Thanks,

Bobby

[chris]

It appears the fall out from the meeting is getting a little heated. Debate is a good thing but I would make the simple observation. To all the 'knockers' of the meeting and the follow on report - Where were you at them meeting?
If you chose not to attend and then carp when the reports are not to your liking, I have one statement - 'put up or shut up!

[InnVic]

Well Chris being 2000 miles north of Florida I think I have a good excuse for not attending the meeting. Kelly did e-mail me this morning and tried to explain the reasoning behind her blog. Maybe its a matter of perspective. I admit I hadn't been aware that there was another piece in print to follow. She explained that she didn't want to 'scoop" herself by giving the story away in the blog. Okay I accept this...HOWEVER I still think that Bobby is right - her writing did represent the group as selfish and uncaring - which we all know is so diametrically opposed to the truth. So whatever happened to that old saying 'if you can't say something nice then say nothing at all". Surely there is more interesting stuff happening in Florida.

[Kriz1]

Everyone will have to see what is said once Kellys piece is printed in the paper...she writes what she wants in her own blog...if you want your views seen .. you can always post a comment there...or get your own blog...

I must be reading a different blog then some people ...I found nothing uncaring or unfeeling anywhere...?

[Kriz1]

We are having no storm fever in FL right now...once the subject of the weather is taken off radar we all lose our heads...:)

[charliesmum]

I must admit I don't see anything wrong in her post at all. I think she was just saying that it wasn't the big thing we were all talking about.

Remember that when 9/11 happened, the americans were so horrified because it was so unusual for them. In Britain, we were used to bomb scares all the time. I was actually on my way to Harrods with a friend the day of the bomb there and if she had been ready on time we could have been caught up in it. It became very matter of fact to us and especially for those of us a long way away, the events of last week probably weren't as horrifying.

We were there on Sunday to talk about immigration and get to put faces to names. Steve and I had a good time and chatted to most of you there. Bobby, it was good to know how your pool business differs to ours - hope we weren't the bozos you were referring to!!

However, I think the day went really well from Susie's point of view and I expect she is very upset about the way the aftermath has turned out. It certainly isn't something she will be happy about.

Zoe

[pegasus]

Hi
my 2 cents worth on this sees it from another view, i happent o know Kelly gave up attending a convention this weekend because I was on the arranging committee (hence no attendance Sue) to come to this meeting, so I do believe she treats this very seriously, after all Kelly could behave like most citizens and not give a damn. Be patient and read the article Kelly will write before comment.

B rgds
Neil

PS it was a big deal for her not to be there ,what she didnt know (because we could not say in advance)was she would have been the only reporter to have met Gen Abazaid during the convention.... that would have been a scoope

[Bobby]

I don't think that anyone is questioning her commitment to her job, as that's what she's doing after all. Reporting.

We ALL have busy lives. I'm sure we could all have been elsewhere.

Whether it's in her blog or on the broadsheet, it's still HER comments. If we are to remain united on her benefit to the group, then I'm quite sure we'd like to see positive narratives on what was a very important gathering on Sunday, instead of what we've seen so far.

To be honest though, I don't think it's too damaging to the Ex-Pats cause anyway, as the readership of her writings probably isn't large enough for it to matter.

Bobby

[Ron]

Hi

I am one of those people who wanted but could not attend


Having read the blog and then speaking to some people who did attend my my views have changed

When I read the blog, I could not understand why it was written in the way it was.

After speaking with a couple of people here are my thoughts

The first reaction was, why did KG give up a Sunday just to write a small blog and not promote more of what happened on Sunday. I was not aware of a future article.

I now feel that this was done for good reasons that will become more clear once the story goes out. One so as not to distract from the events of the situation with the airlines but to imply that maybe our situations affected millions.

Legal immigrants, illegals and the millions of tourists that visit the USA every year

KG I am sure from what I have been told,will be around to support us now and in the future so please lets see what happens

[Kriz1]

Damaging to ex-pat...what a load of hogwash...
I'm glad most people don't think like that...
How many time do people have to be told she was writing a piece for the paper not for her blog..I could write it in spanish if people can't understand English that well...all talk like this will do is stop get togethers because people will not feel happy in each other company...and that is last thing anyone wants...
I think the subject should stop until Kellys write up is in print...then you can pull it about every which way you like to your heart content...

[Susie]

Hi Folkes

Thanks for all your comments

Just so you know, here is what has been going on in the background


Kelly has made contact with at least four people who attended the meeting on Sunday (all have visa problems) and interviewed them over the phone,

She has faxed a two page set of Q & A 's to my immigration attorney regarding all types of visa's and varying problems we all face.

Kelly has said she wishes to continue to monitor and report my son's court cases to conclusion and also keep supporting expats voice.

She has already put a link to expats voice on her blog page which will increase membership

As I said on Sunday if the attorney wins my son's case, this will help thousands of other children in the future

Once they story is out there will be a new thread where we can all comment but for now she is still investigating


I agree that for the time being, lets all hold off and wait to see the outcome. From the 4 hour meeting I had on Monday with her is all I can tell you is that she is working with us and not against us.

[lorraine]

Hi Sue Just a quick thankyou for your e mail. I am feeling much better now. I really sorry I couldnt come on Sunday but sounds like you all had fun. If you need anywhere to host next one I happy to do so over in Winter Garden.
Kind regards

[sassy]

Kelly called me and asked about our visa problems,she asked lots of questions and seemed genuinely interested in our case. She gave me the impression that her article will be on going so looks like this is just the first instalment.I am hoping she will be sympathetic to our cause and help raise awareness of the plights of ex-pats.
We will all have to wait til the weekend to find out.

[sassy]

Hi Susie,just a quick thankyou for sunday. We had positive feed back from Kelly and look forward to reading her article.

[Susie]

Hi Lorraine,

Yes it was a shame you were unwell but glad to know you are now on the mend

Thanks for you kind offer to be our next host that would be great

If you would like to find out more about the meeting or ways you can help just wiz me a pm

[Richard]

I have just read this complete thread, and I am amazed about the comments that Kelly's blog is damaging to the group.

From some of the comments I have seen here we don't need Kelly's help to damage the credibility of the group we can do it quite well by ourselves!

I was at the meeting, and I seriously believe that there is future for the group and we will move forward, but if we cannot show a professional, united approach to the outside world, then how will we ever get anywhere?

I am not saying that you should not be able to voice your opinions, but for the sake of the cause, please try to stay focused on the subject on a forum that is open for any Joe Public to read!

To me the group, the meetings and the forum should be seen as serious and professional, but after reading some of the comments, all I hope is that nobody in power from whom we would like support reads this particular thread.

[Susie]

Hi Richard

I agree and would like to let everyone know that Kelly called me today

She is in the process of writing a larger article which should be in The Sentinal at the weekend , she hopes

Kelly has also promised to keep helping, stoping by our site, follow up on my sons court case and report.

Please, lets give Kelly all the support she needs and in turn she will continue to support us in the months and years ahead