Dear SUFD Supporters, We apologize for all these multiple updates (this will be the last one with MANY duplicative messages going to each supporter). While we’re attempting to get a better solution (please see paragraphs (A) and (B) below), our interim workaround is as follows: After today, nobody should receive more than 2 updates at the same time, and, in some cases, only 1. . As the “Zelda” petition is clearly the issue which the largest numbers of us are supporting, we’re encouraging anyone who has not yet signed that petition to please sign it. That way, when we send an update to Zelda signers, we should be updating most everyone who has been signing our other petitions. https://www.change.org/p/hilary-bagley-franzoia-sacramento-county-da-prosecute-zelda-s-killer-to-fullest-extent-of-the-law (current count: 119,691) We also want to be able to update all those who sign what is , by far, our most important and action-oriented petition, i.e. the new “National Boycott of All Dog Breeders…”UNTIL...” petition. Because of the importance of ramping up this ‘consumer action’ nationally, we’ll be updating new signers of this petition as we go along here (and it would be quite difficult not to be updating previous signers at the same time). https://www.change.org/p/dog-lovers-everywhere-dog-lovers-everywhere-1-join-together-in-national-boycott-of-all-dog-breeders-until-the-extended-pet-industry-itself-pro-actively-focuses-on-reducing-shelter-intake-2-seek-support-from-political-action-committees-for-animals-pac (current count: 3,962 … please give this one – in particular -- a great deal of support) Our only earlier petition that is not closely related to all others is the ‘stand alone’ “Pets-for-Life” petition addressed to the national and international clergy. As its focus is quite different, we will update those supporters separately from the ‘Zelda’ and ‘Boycott’ signers. https://www.change.org/p/don-ashmall-please-ask-national-international-clergy-to-periodically-urge-pets-for-life-commitment-by-churchgoers (current count: 7,434) (A) Please know that we’re very aware of this matter of too many duplicative updates, and very sensitive to it. Dealing with this is MUCH MORE COMPLEX and time-consuming than meets the eye… (…and many thanks ‘ML’ for your very constructive suggestions). (B) We urge all of you to please take the time to read our ‘Request for Technical Assistance’ sent to Change.org ; it is immediately below; WE THINK IT WILL HELP YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF MANY THINGS IN TERMS OF SUFD’S ‘DAVID-GOLIATH INITIATIVES. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Feb. 11, 2015 Request for Technical Assistance from Change.org: I realize Change.org has countless inquiries but, inasmuch as you don't do live interactive online chat...and sometimes it takes maybe 7 or so days to get a reply...I badly need just as complete and helpful an answer as possible the first time ....to a complex matter....or I'll end up chewing up one week at a time coming back for additional clarification...perhaps a month or more in total...before getting this resolved! (I’m my wife's caregiver for her very serious illness and time for straightening out administrative problems like this is extremely scarce). THANKS..... The issue: 'Stand Up for Dogs' is struggling against the many players comprising the mammoth $60 Billion/yr. Pet Industry. As such, it has been necessary to address these several stakeholder groups in nine (9) Change.org petitions that are currently active. Updates to our supporters, however, usually apply to all 9 issues and due to serious time constraints, I can't 'stagger' the timing of updates (would involve scheduling this, coming back to my computer, setting up again, etc. etc. Inasmuch as supporters may have signed any combination of these 9 petitions -- but not all of them -- the only way I know to be sure of reaching every signer... of any petition...is to send the(same common update...) out by an update to all 9 petitions. So, for example, if someone had signed 7 petitions, they receive 7 mail updates with the same message. This is irritating, of course, and runs counter to the very purpose of updating and keeping supporters' interest. I don't have the time...or the technical skills...to merge and sort nine (9) very large Excel signature spreadsheets from Change.org to eliminate 'duplicates'. Even if I did, I'd only be able to contact the small percentage of signers who provide their email addresses. Clearly, then, I need to use the (tremendous) Update process that Change.org provides. One supporter indicates that it appears Stand Up for Dogs has six (6) 'accounts' with Change.org ...one, containing, for example, 2 petitions! (All I know is that the 9 petitions have been started working from one or other of two email provider systems). A sample URL this supporter provided for one of these 6 'accounts' is: https://www.change.org/organizations/stand_up_for_dogs_3 (he indicates that 2 petitions are associated with that 'account'). Other URLs he provided differ only by having no number at all...or a 2...or 4...or...5 as the last digit. Still another URL he provided (for one petition) is https://www.change,org/u/74744264 Obviously, the ultimate objective here, when updating, is to send only a single message to everyone who has signed any of SUFD's petitions. I'm concerned here, however, that I'll just get a message back saying 'Sorry, Change.org doesn't support this need'. Because of the above serious time constraints, PLEASE try to provide me with the very best solution or 'workaround' possible...explained just as clearly as possible. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our next update will include: 1. a request for volunteers in the Sacramento area for badly-needed help responding to input from supporters and coordinating the developing consumer action; 2. a request for suggestions re the most cost-effective way of establishing two-way communications between decentralized ‘action nodes’ and a central coordination hub. (The central hub possibly is best ‘hosted’ on a remote (commercial) server). PLEASE BE GIVING THIS SOME THOUGHT! Thanks very much SUFD supporters. Sincerely, Stand Up for Dogs www.standupfordogs.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/standupfordogs Blogs: www.standupfordogs.tumblr.com AND www.standupfordogs/com/blog Contact: info@standupfordogs.com