david (david@cresseda.novar.co.uk)
Tue, 15 Aug 2000 11:01:12 +0100
Received from Davan and forwarded due to a bounce.
> Hello everyone!
>
> A very interesting thread here which I am sure quite a few have concerns
> about.
>
> As a near 'single ruler' of a group (Yes I have been referred to as a
tinpot
> Hitler once or twice) I hope I do the best I can (I do have a committee
> which can and does 'regulate' me, but we are small and sometime not
> everything can be put to them in the timescales forced on me).
>
> I would say that I am not about to offer a defence for the situation these
> people find themselves in. It is unacceptable to treat people like this
and
> the advice given is spot on. Perhaps encouraging them to visit more shows
> based on the period they are interested in would give them a chance to
meet
> other groups.
>
> We have never thrown anyone out of our group, however, not everyone and
> every society will fit together. I always offer contacts for other groups
if
> they wish to move on. I have refused membership before, but again suggest
> groups that may be more suitable (usually someone looking for a more
> infantry based group, rather than our Artillery base).
>
> Moving away from this particular case and onto the subjects of
constitution
> and running groups (which I hope most of my members feel I do a reasonable
> job at and I am sure most groups do) ...
>
> We have a constitution as we are a charity. It is a government approved
> constitution - we filled in the blanks - if anyone wants a copy visit our
> page and click on legal notices. I personally believe that every group
> should have a constitution - ours is basic and adequate, we don't
> incorporate 'rules' into our constitution (makes a nasty mess when trying
to
> change them). My fear for groups without a constitution is that insurance
> companies may use this as an excuse to avoid any payouts (if you are not
> 'constituted' you can't exist?) perhaps I am being extreme, but anyone who
> had dealt with a claim will know that they will do all they can to avoid a
> payout or to minimise it - afterall, that's their job.
>
> I'm sure any list member who runs a group/unit/detachment etc will have
been
> forced to take a path which will have annoyed their members (or at least
> some of them), afterall you can't please everyone all the time. However, I
> encourage my members to come and take to me and try to resolve the problem
> or at least let me explain why I take certain actions.
>
> What annoys me most are the members who bottle it up or come up to you
after
> the event has finished when I can do nothing to correct the problem. I
know
> that may be their way, but it makes it harder to resolve. I'd rather
someone
> let off steam (away from the public obviously) and then allow me to
explain
> myself or resolve the issue, afterall, once there is an undercurrent it
> affects everyone.
>
> I'll get off my soapbox now.
>
> Davan Winch
> Chairman, WW2 Display Team
> Registered Educational Charity No 1065760
>
> Email davan@ww2.org.uk
> Web http://www.ww2.org.uk
>
> UK Re-enactment Webring
> http://www.ww2.org.uk/ring.html
>
>
>
>
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