NorthStar Furs

Seriously...

 

 

Sure, we are all here to have fun, talk about common likes and dislikes, enjoy social interaction in a limitless myriad of environs and situations, and so much more.  But seriously for a moment...  Let's talk business.

 

A "Paradigm" is an established method of thinking or acting.  For the veterans, it is a foundation, a principle of standards on which to base one's own measure of value.  For the new, it is an expectation, a basis on which to begin exploring.  It is a principle that we all know in our lives, whether we think about it or not.  Sure, there are those who break from the "norm", and we call them rebels, troublemakers, and outcasts from the societal expectations.  But the mere fact that a paradigm exists because many people (maybe most people?) follow it, does not mean it is the only method or path... simply that it is the popular or common one.  Being a rebel is not a "bad" thing, it is simply...  breaking from the paradigm, forging a new path, and if you do it right and for the right reasons, then you leave that new path wide open for anyone who so desires to take it themselves.  Breaking from a paradigm is easy.  Breaking the paradigm itself... not so much. 

 

Think about what a company that makes a physical product does.  Say for example, you have a TV made by Company A.  You like the TV, its picture is sharp and bright, it has the features you want like connectivity for streaming, good sound quality, and so on.  The leaders of that company, if they're doing it right, are paying attention to what the public wants, and they are balancing those demands with quality and quantity.  The company does not provide the demand for the product, they only provide the service of developing, engineering, testing, and producing the product so that the consumers will have it to buy.  Without the company, consumers can demand whatever they want, but they will never get it because nobody is there to put in the time, effort, investment capital, and know-how to make the product that meets the demands.  If the product is well made, you find yourself to have some "brand loyalty" and when it's time to buy another TV, you might consider what Company A has on the market first.  That is of course, until you discover some overarching reason to leave Company A in favor of Company B's TV.  And I don't mean that Company B has a newer, "fancy" TV, but rather that Company A has done you a legitimate wrong in some regard, or has, over time, slipped from the graces of strength, pride, and honor.  As long as they are good to you however, you support Company A by showing your loyalty in purchasing their products.  Maybe even thru a bit of a dip or rut in their performance, you see them thru and remain loyal. Many people buy TVs from BOTH companies, for a variety of reasons, and that is perfectly fine too!

 

Consider now; a support group, or a 'user sig' if I can date myself a bit, is an umbrella under which all manner of things happen, but one common element rises right up the center to become the uniting canopy of common thought, practice, and desire.  Like the company producing the product, the group's leaders bring their know-how, time, money, and energy to the table, and they invest it in the operation of the organization so that the users will have something to look for and enjoy.  Without the leaders, the organization never solidifies, and the users are left  without a resource to "buy in" to.  Sure, all members of a group have the themed interest, otherwise they wouldn't be members of the group.  but what else roams thru their lives?  How many other countless interests are there?  Each just as valuable, interesting, and substantial as any other.  But the group, the entity that forms the umbrella, and its 'leaders', purvey the service of organization as their product, designed by the demands of the members, uniting the members who have "bought in" to the fundamentals.  And as long as the fundamentals are agreeable, the members will continue to support the organization by continuing to buy the service, and reap the rewards of their purchases.  The users want a service, the group engineers, develops, and builds it.  The users buy the service, and as long as the service meets the needs and wants of the users, everyone is happy.

 

In both cases, the existance of the company, or support group, relies entirely on the loyalty and support of those who "buy" the product (or service).  And that's where we, the leaders of this group, come in.  We are here because we hear the demands of the people.  We acknowledge the need for the service, and we are happy to bring our energy, motivation, time, and capital to the table, to be able to build the product, the support, for you. 

 

Why did we choose the name "North Star" ?  Simply: 2 reasons.  The first, To be exactly what it sounds like.  The Guiding Light.  The shining star in the night sky, the homing beacon, the directional marker.  Whether you decide to use us for your own purposes or not is completely up to you.  We're here, we're not going anywhere.  The second, because we did not want to take a specific geographical region, city, state, etc.  There are so many groups out there that claim states, cities, and such.  Many times we hear the statement "I don't want to be part of that group merely because I live in the same state that they have claimed to be the official group of."  And so to avoid this geographical claim, we chose a name that was both slightly ambiguously encompassing, and yet non-specific at the same time.  Yes, it is absolutely true that the "North Star States" refers VERY loosely to the "upper midwest" in the USA, but there is no hard-coded defining line around it, and we do not want there to be.  Instead, think of us as a support group, a place you can look when you so desire, here when you are lost at sea under the clouds and fog, and here when you are sailing comfortably thru calm seas and bright starlit nights. 

 

NorthStar Furs exists because of its members.  FOR its members, BY its members.  Yes of course, we're a business, we exist as a legal entity in order to have the backing necessary to interact with the world around us.  But that business, and its 'leaders' are here to support the members, not own them.  We understand the philosophy that true leadership gives without requisite reward, that honor and trust is earned, not given, that being a member of a volunteer board is no different than being a board member of a mega-corporation, it is simply a job that you don't get paid for.  We're here because we love what we do, not because we want reward for it.  As long as we're doing a good job, we're confident you'll be happy and stay with us.  If we start to slip, well then please tell us so we can get back on track again! 

 

Yes, we've all heard this so many times that it's laughable anymore.  Promises, promises, promises.  Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda.  I dunno... It is unfortunate that so many people and companies out there make so many empty promises and feign actual interest or desire to achieve.  It desensitizes people, YOU, from believing in anything, anywhere, ever.  We're right there with you on that. 

 

All we can say is this:  Let us prove to you that we are different.  Give us a chance. 

 

Be You.  Join Us. 

 

Thank you all, I look forward to seeing you all soon.

 

Tek

Executive Director

NorthStar Anthropomorphics  LLC, dba NorthStar Furs.