Secretary Resigns!!! - not quite 2 years this time

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:28 pm

One thing is obvious from the above; our resigning secretary has plenty of support from the membership. There are diverse proposals as to how we go forward. I am concerned that we could throw the baby out with the bath water. We have some members of Council who have been working their socks off for the betterment of the breed, and identifying the ‘loss leaders’ could prove difficult.
Virtually everyone appears to have different priorities. It should be remembered that there is always a struggle to find volunteers for Council. There is little point in planning to ‘out’ the present Council without satisfactory arrangements for filling their places.
I would put in a plea again to consider an arrangement that makes greater use of e-mail and less dependency on physical and costly meetings. [Getting to Stonleigh is a pig from here in the southeast] and Martin isn’t the only one. If the sessions had been conducted by e-mail, there would now be more evidence of who had been pulling their weight, or causing mayhem. You might have more volunteers in the future, and Council expenses would come down markedly. I have experience of some who regularly attended meetings to vote Yea or Nay but made little other contribution. There would be more opportunity for the smallholder member with a full time job and a few Dexters on the side, whose views are not taken into account at present.
In this connection I would point out that there would be many members who will want to retain our Secretary but are unable to take time out to attend a meeting, their views should count. Many at this moment must be unaware of the crisis, only a few use access to this board.

redhill · Post by **redhill** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:49 pm

Di, Rod, Alison and Rob see you there on Nov1, we have three society memebers coming from the Forest of Dean that I know of so far.
best wishes Bill.

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:00 pm

I agree with you Woodmagic a wholesale removal of the Council gets us nowhere but the truth needs to be known and that can only be done by people being honest with themselves. We should have an open meeting with Council off the record where they can air their views, if they are to shy to speak because what they say might upset someone then they can write it out before hand and hand it in at the meeting. First thing is keep the Sec then sort out Council with an EGM.:blues:

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:56 pm

According to the Bulletin, it is not only the Secretary but also the Editor of the Bulletin who has resigned. In my innocence I was actually going to offer my services (not that I have anything at all against the newly resigned editor) as I've had a bit of experience with editing and producing newsletters, but reading about the can of worms that appears to be at the heart of DCS at present I think I'll keep quiet about that. It might be stating the obvious, but people who give freely of their time to keep clubs running do not generally need a load of hassle as well, but in the 6 years I've had Dexters the club seems to have lurched from one problem to another. This might be expected in a newly formed association but there really is no excuse in one that has been running as long as DCS. I'm a great believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but it looks as if something is seriously wrong here.

Felicity · Post by **Felicity** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:49 pm

II just wanted to let you all know that I have posted a copy of Yvonnes resignation to all the group secretaries with a note to forward to any members who request a copy.
I hope as many people as possible turn up at the meeting on the first November.
I for one will be more than happy to answer any questions that are asked both before and after the meeting and I know that several other council members feel the same.

mindenho · Post by **mindenho** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:54 pm

Felicity, would it be possible for those who are not members of a Group to have a copy? I don't belong to a local group because here is the easterly most part of England there isn't one.

I too have valued Yvonne's help since she became Secretary - her speedy replies to my emails and answers to my queries. If I could get to the meeting next week I would, but I shall be at work. Yvonne has my fuyll support and it would be wonderful if she did decide to change her mind.
Erica

Felicity · Post by **Felicity** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:51 am

I will send a copy to anybody who asks for one.

It is my firm belief that the membership has a right to know what is and has been going on.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:05 am

No chance, I suppose, to save on time and postage it could just be posted on here? Or is there something unethical about that?

Peter thornton · Post by **Peter thornton** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:18 am

Felicity
Is it in electronic form? If so could you email a copy to peter@ubarrow.co.uk ?

Thanks

Peter

rodmet · Post by **rodmet** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:50 am

Looking at the way forward I am with Woodmagic on this one - we dont want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I see this as a two stage process, with the first part being how Council handle the Nov 1st meeting. I trust they will give a full explanation of why we keep loosing proficient secretaries and how they intend to handle the situation better in the future. I also hope to hear how they will manage the DCS from now on. Are they willing to bring in a new era where openness and listening to and acting on members' wishes is at the heart of the way Society is run? If they do say they want to take that route it will be important to hear what measures they intend to take to achieve it. The other issue, again following on from Woodmagic's comments, is whether Council is prepared to change its methods and approach to make it easier for new blood to join(and stay on!!) Council or act on particular issues on behalf of Council.
The second stage of the process will depend on how the Nov 1st meeting goes. If Council is convincing and come forward with concrete, workable plans then they should be encouraged to implement them with the potential of an open review in say 6 months. If they are not convincing or heaven forbid take the patronising we know best and will continue as before stance then we should go down the EGM route.

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:13 pm

Hi Sylvia,
Felicity, elected temporary chairperson of council, has asked me to post for her as she is at work at the moment.
The secretaries resignation letter is for DCS members.
In her last posting she meant any DCS member who would like a copy, [see her first posting], could have one.
It is not for global viewing and as this discussion board goes world wide it would not be appropriate to put it on.
Please be aware that Felicity is checking the membership status of any persons requesting a copy.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:30 pm

Thanks, just trying to save some work, but could I have a copy please. I am, for the time being, a paid up member of DCS. Owner of the Dolmelys herd.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:31 pm

The dictators and bullies on council have to be removed sooner rather than later. If they do not do the honorable thing and resign then we must call for a vote of no confidence in the whole of council, have them removed and vote in a new council without the bad apples. I have read our secretary's resignation letter and cannot believe that such a good secretary can be treated in such a shabby maner by certain members of council. If we are not positive we stand no chance of persuading Yvonne to stay (she may not in any case). If we do nothing then she will surely leave.

Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.

Felicity · Post by **Felicity** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:03 pm

Hi Sylvia just put copy in post to you.

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:32 pm

Hi I would also like a copy Rob Harper Snipesbay Herd email is snipesbay@dsl.pipex.com