Consensus within the executive committee was that the letter to the editor was well presented in the Riverbend Times. Publishing the letter acknowledged the mistake made in reporting.

Pamela said we did get five more subscribers to our promotional email list. But no new email inquiries or members.

Most of our communications were with our members, by mail and email. Recently, we've been advertising our public meetings in the newspaper. But if a person didn't have a personal TDG connection in Riverbend, he or she would find it difficult to find us.

Orville said, "A downtown office would give us reason to hang a TDG sign. Lots of repeated exposure. And someone to talk to."

"And, speaking for the membership committee side," said Ed, "a real office will make it easier for some of our tasks."

The discussion that followed put the treasurer and his committee in charge of estimating the cost of running an office. Pete had three neighborhood representatives working with him on the finance committee.  

Ed had another concern: "If we're going to get an office, I think it's time to register our group as a non-profit society."

Mustafa Ali, from Central Riverbend, asked: "How do we do that?"

Ed said, "We can get some forms from the state government website. Fill them out, send a fee, and wait for the legal process to formally declare us a non-profit society. After that, we will be a legal entity to do such business things like rent office space, set up telephone accounts, and legally hire people."

"And being a registered non-profit will look more professional," I added.

Orville said, "I don't think it's quite that easy."

Ed said, "You are probably right. Maybe we should get some professional advice."

I volunteered: "As you know, my father is a lawyer in town. He can help us to find the right path."

Mustafa said, "I would like to join your committee."

And we were on our way with these two tasks: investigating an office and registering as a non-profit. Another meeting was scheduled a month from now.

Whenever I saw Keegan in the dorm hallways, he was friendly to me, but it was a friendliness that seemed to suggest that nothing had happened between us.

Next Saturday, there was another party in the cafeteria. Keegan had his attention on another girl that evening, and I could see the signs that they were likely going to be intimate later. My hopes were dashed.

Intimate couples were forming again. Another boy started talking to me. Eventually I took that boy to my room.

That was just the way it was.