I'm self-employed and I work from my home. I don't listen to the morning traffic report, and I usually ignore the weather report, too. An added bonus is I don't have to brush my teeth first thing in the morning.

But it's lonely. I miss the office birthday parties, or to be more specific, my birthday party. We (my secretary and I) had a ritual. She would remind me to keep some time clear on my calendar for some obviously imaginary meeting. I would tell her I didn't want a party and I didn't need the cake. But the truth was, I actually enjoyed hearing my staff sing happy birthday.

What else do I miss? I miss winning the NCAA March Madness office pool. It would drive all the basketball aficionados crazy because I selected my teams totally randomly and I still won more often then they did. Now no one asks me for my top picks.

I even miss the United Way campaign meeting. We all complained that it was a waste of time. But I would actually learn something from the on-loan executive about an agency that helps addictive pregnant moms.

United Way doesn't have a division for self-employed, home-based businesses. I understand. It would be inefficient, and most of us are definitely not in the top-10- percentile of philanthropic givers. But still, I would like to be contacted, and not by some telemarketer. I've even thought of starting an organization of home-based companies that would support some local charities.

My friends tell me that I should just join a local networking group and suggest that they do a fundraiser. But all those groups involve people who want to meet for business reasons. They come with a deck of business cards ready to recite their elevator pitches to anyone who will listen. They're looking for new prospects. They're fine people, but I'd like to meet people who want to help the community.

No, I'm not some over-zealous do-gooder. I don't want to be involved with 100-mile bike rides or even five-mile walks, and I won't wear a lavender bracelet to commemorate some new charity. I simply want to hear a pitch, write a check, and hang with a couple of nice people who otherwise lead lonely, sedentary lives in their dens as I do.

I rarely use this column as a bully pulpit to press my readers to do something. One, because I believe it would be inappropriate, and two, no one would listen. But, I am taking a chance this time. This is a call to action. If you are self-employed and think you are ignored by the rest of your community, join with me.

And please suggest a name for our new organization. The best I can come up with is: "The Association of Self-Employed People Who Want to be Given the Proper Respect From the Business and Philanthropic Community." We definitely need a shorter name, and if you can come up with a catchy acronym, I'll even let you be our first president.

This article may not be copied or reproduced in any way without the expressed written consent of the Author. All licensing reqests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact Hesh for more information or to discuss licensing.