Politburo

[rodmet]

Am I the only one that feels that the DCS is run along Politburo lines with secrecy and cronyism as its modus operandi?The most successful organisations love participation,finding out and delivering what people want,two way communication,transparency and so on and on.Perhaps I am missing something but the DCS seems virtually the opposite of that.There are good people doing good jobs but they seem to me to be totally let down by the style and approach of the organisation.

[Duncan MacIntyre]

It is indeed a strange body the DCS council, I know I have been there, but it is interesting that although there was a big eruption a few years ago, after I was off council, that there is still this sort of feeling. There are now only one or two people still there who were there during my time, so it is not necessarily down to the same circle of people - it is maybe more because Dexters by an large are owned by people not afraid to stand out in a crowd, to do something a little bit different, and so they tend to have very determined views and ways of doing things. Although a few do depend on their Dexters for a living the majority have another main source of income and the Dexters are a passionate hobby.

Having served on Council for 3 years I did leave much wiser on the workings of such bodies and the work that goes on behind the scenes - eg size of tags allowed in cattle of all breeds was influenced by DCS council, I can still see the photo of a large tag and a small ear produced by Veronica Schofield and used in consultations with the authorities. I now see many cattle of all breeds sporting what were originsally "Dexter" size tags. The amount of that sort of stuff that goes on behind the scenes is more than many imagine, and of course we are reliant on council members who are volunteers and are doing it in support of their hobby rather than their bread and butter. It is always a balance on such bodies between the good of the breed and the indiviual's interest. To my mind the bull scheme suffered interminable setbacks because a reasonable start to the scheme would be suggested to council and promptly shot down in flames because so and so had a bull that was not eligible because it was a week too old or an inch too short or long to participate, and all the preparatory work was wasted. But we do get there very slowly. In a way slow progress is maybe better than great leaps forward without too much thought or moderation.

Duncan

[Ken Hobbs]

Now is your chance to change things with Council, There Are Eight vacancies this year, so please stand and lets have a vote on the members who are elected, it has been wll publisised so now is your chance to put your own ideas into action, this is not aimed at Rod but all members who use this excellent forum.
ken

[Jo Kemp]

I agree that we, each member should be prepared to give time to the society and putting oneself forward for council certainly qualifies ... I find it difficult and expensive to travel south of Derbyshire (living in SW Scotland) and I notice that very few Scots are on the Council so probably that is the major problem with many members.
Don't know what one can do about that. The ideal meeting place is within travel distance (if needed) without overnight stay.... need a helicopter!
Regards, and thanks to all those prepared to do so much.
Jo

[Kathy Millar]

Duncan well put. ALL breed societies go through rough patches but luckily, most of the necessary and important work continues on regardless. The most important thing is to continue to keep breeding Dexters and keeping them available. Yes, there are less than perfect specimens being registered (and even shown!) but I think if a group comes down too hard on breeders, they may turn away folks and that is counterproductive. Over here in Canada, the beef market is so depressed, many are selling their animals and not bothering to register them either. I hadn't realized how many breeders depended on selling to the Americans and I understand the ADCA has lost a lot of Canadian members.:O

Anyways, just hang in there for the sake of the Dexters and try to keep all the breed politics in their proper perspective. All things shall pass....but hopefully not the Dexters!

Kathy