Question for the group,
Now that we are nearing 50 members, this is feeling like a bit of a critical
mass. What should we do together to advance our cause?
Some similar groups adopt one or more special projects. Like a registry of
names, a petition, a memorial fund or a museum.
I have a specific suggestion and would like to get your reactions please.
I suggest that we might start by collaborating on a website that would be
especially useful for new members as they discover us and want to learn more
about this tragic yet heroic event. Several members have their own sites
already (Paul, Wladyslaw, Janusz, Chris, Janek, to name a few). These are
all hotlinked through to AForgottenOdyssey.com site that Steve Roy helped me
put together in record time to publicise Jagna Wright's fantastic film.
This site is "version 1". We can make it better with your feedback and
input. For example, we should have a "gallery" of photographs. If we got
organised, we would put together a list of FAQs (frequently asked questions)
like on the better genealogy sites (eg, who did this to the Poles, why, who
was taken, where, when, where can I get more info, was there ever
compensation, what happened to Polish citizenship when the land was lost,
etc.). Also we could have a list of resources for information (Hoover
Institution, Polish Memorial Committee in Moscow, Karta archives, Sikorski
Institute, Zwiazek Sybirak¨®w, Polish Embassy in Teheran, etc.) as well as
recommended books on the topic.
Though I am happy to be a point person to coordinate this type of activity,
I can not do all of this alone, and "many hands make light work". Would
anybody care to offer their help in putting some of these things together?
The only qualification required is a desire to contribute and help others
who share our quest.
--
Stefan Wisniowski
Moderator, Kresy-Siberia
