British Orienteering 'Regional Roadshows'

[youngladdie]

See:
http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/n ... 9yZy51ay8=

A waste of British Orienteers Members' Membership fees?
Worth it for the free refreshments though I guess!?

[andypat]

A bit harsh to criticise it before you know whats going to be said I feel. Someone's got a heavy few weeks on their hands with that tour.

I have got one request though - did anyone check the map of the associations before they made up the schedule? Scotland is a pretty big "region" if you want to call it that. I'd have a 2 hour drive in rush hour to get to Edinburgh for 6.30 on a wedensday night in the dark (if I was going) and I live in the central belt. I'm sure some diehards from Invoc and Mor will consider making the trek but its asking a lot.

[awk]

A waste of British Orienteers Members' Membership fees?
Worth it for the free refreshments though I guess!?

Criticised when they don't communicate, criticised when they do. And you have no idea whether it's the membership fees paying or not - after all they currently account for a relatively small fraction (but come 2013 will probably account for a lot more).
Even if it was, I think it's definitely worth a try - good on the staff and directors for that.

[mappingmum]

Engagement is important so good on BOF for making the effort. Geographical spread of the membership is always going to be a problem.

I wonder if they considered a web meeting or video conference?

[andy]

5min walk from work, think I will go to the Edinburgh one!

[DaveK]

A waste of British Orienteers Members' Membership fees?
Worth it for the free refreshments though I guess!?

Criticised when they don't communicate, criticised when they do. And you have no idea whether it's the membership fees paying or not - after all they currently account for a relatively small fraction (but come 2013 will probably account for a lot more).
Even if it was, I think it's definitely worth a try - good on the staff and directors for that.

Our club was approached and given details of this initiative at the Lakes 5 day event by a BO 'central' official. I (jokingly) said that it would be a good opportunity, at least, for some people to have a good moan about something or the other, which was accepted in good spirit. All credit to BO for undertaking some 'outreach' work with members. Can only be a positive.

[Clive Coles]

Seems a good idea to me ~ there are a number of solutions that need to be fully understood at grass roots level. So why rubbish the initiative before it happens.

Bit strange though to insist on a minimum per club

Clubs are encouraged to send along as many delegates as they feel appropriate with a minimum of 2 per club.

Small clubs may have difficulty in finding 2 volunteers to make a 100+ mile round trip for a mid-week evening meeting.

Surely 1 delegate is better than one

[andypat]

Possibly insisting on 2 is insurance against youngladdie being the 1.....?

[Blanka]

I wonder if they considered a web meeting or video conference?

You can't entice people with free food then!

Good on BOF for trying to get some communication going though.

[awk]

Bit strange though to insist on a minimum per club....Surely 1 delegate is better than one

Think it's just not brilliantly worded - it does say clubs are encouraged not required, and with individuals being invited too, it reads to me as more a recommendation that clubs should try and make sure at least 2 members are there. They're not going to turn anybody away if they are the only member of their club there!

[Clive Coles]

Youngladdie apart, I am sure free food is not the main motivation that engourages attendance. There are issues that need to be aired and this is the chance for the ordinary members to have a say.

The Board have clearly taken on board that their defeat at the AGM over the 3 tier issue was caused (in part) by a failure to communicate with the voting membership. An expensive error of judgement.

I hope, as well as their published agenda, BOF also outline the approach they propose to take in regard to to such issues as maintaining central services and the international development programme once government funding (is curtailed or) dries up. If, as I suspect, membership and event levy fees are set to rise members need a clearer understanding as to why.

I believe there also needs to be a discussion regarding "free" , local and national membership packages. Have we got the balance right ? Should we for example slim back membership fees so that it primarily covers insurance costs and move more towards a "pay as you compete" levy basis. Let's have such discussions now rather than be presented with another set of AGM motions on a take it or defeat it basis.

As for the free sandwich ... surely a recognition by BOF that folk are travelling distances, posssibly after a normal working day. Well done BOF.

[Big Jon]

I'd be very tempted to go, but a 280 mile round trip is a little excessive even for an O nut like me!

[mharky]

A waste of British Orienteers Members' Membership fees?

You always seem to have very strong feelings about what BOF membership fees shouldn't be spent on, perhaps you should attend and let them know what you feel the fees should be spent on. You may want to read up a bit though, as you have consistently shown a complete lack of knowledge when it comes to BOF expenditure.