Resignation

[Toni]

I personally think that the BOF criticism probably does help effect change. When I teach I always ask students to complete an anonymous feedback - if they didn't I probably would never change some aspects of my teaching. There is nothing like feedback as long as it is balanced. If something good happens then that should be fed back too. I know it probably leads to burn out too but.....

[Kitch]

I've made a few points about negative and critical posting recently.

Constructive criticism ought generally to be a good thing.

A few things have been geting out of hand in my view.
Some thoughts on these.

1) Someone makes a reasonable critical point and then a whole pile of people jump on it like a pack of hounds and just go on and on and on until the original constuctiveness is totally lost.

So when replying
THINK
" Am I actually adding value?"
or are you just throwing in you tuppence worth for the sake of it ?

2) If you are starting a thread that is critical.
THINK
" Is Nopesport the best / only way I can deal with this ?"
Have you discussed it directly with those involved - BOF / Planner / Organiser ?

3) When posting - the way you word things will affect the way people re-act.
If you are seeking input and consensus then make it clear.
THINK
A question worded one way can generate costructive debate, worded another way it can just start a feeding frenzy.

just Think.

[Gnitworp]

Hear! Hear!

Attaboy, Kitch!

[paddy]

Hear! Hear!

Attaboy, Kitch!

THINK
" Am I actually adding value?"
or are you just throwing in you tuppence worth for the sake of it ?

[Gnitworp]

Touché

[awk]

It worries me that there is even less understanding of club development in BOF now.

Which, by implying that there wasn't much understanding beforehand, was not being at all fair to those in the development team in BOF who are working hard to get this side of things moving.

When I wrote this, I had more in mind that there has historically been an apparent lack of understanding of the importance of club development (particularly young people) at the heart of BOF decision making. Hopefully that is changing, and will continue to change, but Alex had done a lot to try and deal with that, sometimes taking flak for decisions that were none of his making. It was meant to be more an appreciation of work he did than a denigration of those who work in club development.

Having worked in that area of BOF, I should have been more aware of what I was implying, and been more careful with my choice of words, rather than putting foot firmly in mouth. So, my apologies to those concerned; you are the last people in BOF I would wish to offend!

[John Morris]

Several "tuppence-worths"...

Firstly, Alex is NOT resigning from BOF, he's resigning from an onerous post as Executive Officer (in which he's faithfully worked for us through some very hard times). I hope and trust that, once he's got his breath back he'll be as valuable a BOF volunteer as any of us (you don't get off the treadmill that easily, Alex!).

Secondly, from my experience of working with him, Alex would be the last person to outlaw honest criticism - his forthright courage within BOF Central will be much missed. Alex's particular virtue as a critic was that, having disagreed, he would immediately try to resolve the situation, reasoning out the cause, listening to (and accepting the worth of) the views of others, looking for a way forward, and moving on without rancour. (It's a good model - the best of nopesport discussion shows the same characteristics.)

Thirdly, if you all value Alex as I think you do, it would be kind to respect his judgement and stop prying into his reasons for resigning. I'm quite sure that this has been a carefully considered decision, quite possibly a difficult one, but on balance what seems best for the Ross household. And just why it's best is none of our business...

Fourthly, if you have views on anything within Alex's successor's likely remit, now would be a good time to start briefing Officers, Councillors and (most especially) your Association representatives so that they may take your ideas into account when the new role-holder's duties are being shaped.