Suggestion for Committee

Steve · Master

Suggestion for Committee

Lesley · Guru

Thanks Steve - I have always felt that the minutes should be on the forum, or even the web site, available for all to read - as they would be for any other publicly accountable body (such as my work).

It's not something we can accomplish overnight though - so we'll see.

(That is my personal opinion)

feldandjack · Guru

It's easy to enjoy this forum, there's good chat and advise and it's great to see the hounds together on a day out. It's not so easy to dedicate the time and energy required to keep GAL going. I can't begin to imagine the time and effort the commitee must put in to finding homes for all the dogs that need them, I take my hat off to all of them.
Anne

Isla · Enlightened One

feldandjack wrote:

It's easy to enjoy this forum, there's good chat and advise and it's great to see the hounds together on a day out. It's not so easy to dedicate the time and energy required to keep GAL going. I can't begin to imagine the time and effort the commitee must put in to finding homes for all the dogs that need them, I take my hat off to all of them.
Anne

Well said Anne - sentiments that I wholeheartedly agree with. It would be an absolute tragedy if GAL were to disappear completely - especially for the dogs that only get a second chance because of organisations like this. I, for one, would miss the useful advise and friendly banter of the forum.

greyflintstone · Master

Steve wrote:
How about the new Committee taking a fresh open approach and publishing the minutes from meetings on the website so that members can see what's going on and when and what the cash is being spent on. Being totally transparent might be a way of keeping us all informed on an on-going basis.

I think this is a great idea - and something that Chas & I have thought should happen for a long time. However, I do think that the minutes should be available in a "members only" format. No disrespect to non-members intended!!

Sharon

Lindasdogs · GAL Convenor * Homing Co-ordinator * Forum Moderator

Sharon,

Thanks for your suggestion - it is something that the committee will look into at our next meeting. Like Lesley said - right now we have so much to handle - with the homings and the so many upcoming events - give us time to sort things out.

As you stated the minutes should be in an isolated area - not that non-members should be excluded completely - but remember this forum is world wide and we have to think of the public that might come on here to read. The public should read all the positive things this charity does and not necessarily all the nitty gritty details that also have to be dealt with.

Again this is my opinion as well and to be fair the entire committee needs to think on it and act accordingly. We will try to take the comments from this thread and keep members posted to any developments!
Thanks,
linda

Lesley · Guru

A charity is a public body, and therefore publicly accountable! Therefore, in my view, we cannot keep the minutes private and nor should we.

I work in a Non Departmental Public Body - the National Park - and minutes from all committee meetings are posted on the web site. They are there for anyone to read, not only people who live within the National Park.

-- Edited by Lesley at 07:20, 2007-05-30

Lorna · Old Hand

I agree with you Lesley. It is something we have discussed, however since there have been so many other things to get to grips with in (the majority of us) becoming new committee members, it has been somewhat down the list of priorities.

That's not to say it won't be discussed again or followed through (as I do personally think it is important to be open and honest with our members); more that we have had other priorities until now.

Your comments are welcome and appreciated on the subject - we will get back to you on this one smile

Jay · Old Hand

Its an interesting idea and one which might make members feel more involved and highlight areas where they could help GAL to achieve its aims.

One issue with doing this in the past was, however, that the GAL Management Committee often has to deal with personal problems of a serious nature, particulary those arising from the homing coordinator and follow-up co-ordinator roles.

As such these discussions must be kept confidential to protect those involved and the dogs. I would imagine that it would not be difficult to do this, however it is a point which requires careful consideration by the committee. Additionally would people be put of coming the GAL for help if they thought that confidentiality might be breached?

Also worth baring in mind is that not everyone with access to the minutes would necessarily be inclined to GAL's aims or best interests. Minutes posted behind a secure access which only members can enter would likely do the trick.

All in all its a great idea with a few drawbacks worthy of more consideration.

-- Edited by Lorna in accordance with forum rules and regulations

-- Edited by Lorna at 09:07, 2007-06-14

Valerie · Guru

Jay, these are some really good points, and confidentiality for individual cases must be preserved, but there are ways around dealing with issues, and they can be made "exempt" where the information is not suitable for public consumption such as personal details. I personally agree that all matters related to the work of GAL and minuted at Committee should be on the forum - except where that disclosure breaches confidentiality or hinders the work of GAL should it be made public.

greyflintstone · Master

Lesley wrote:

A charity is a public body, and therefore publicly accountable! Therefore, in my view, we cannot keep the minutes private and nor should we.

I agree, wholeheartedly, that as a charity GAL is "publicly accountable", but as someone who pays her £15 per year membership fee, what are the benefits to members? If the minutes are available for the whole world to read - what's to stop me cancelling my membership and just reading the information on the forum?!

(Not that I would cancel my membership!)

Slippy · Old Hand

Would it be possible to circulate the minutes along with the GAL magazine? That's what another charity I am involved with does. That way only current members would get them.

greyflintstone · Master

Excellent suggestion, Slippy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy · Old Hand

Another way to find out more about GAL activities is to get involved.

There are dogs at the kennels that would love a walk; there are events that need helping hands; envelopes that need stuffing; dogs to be collected; home checks to be done; loads and loads of ways that you can learn more about GAL.

The Committee are always looking for suggestions and offers of help. Go on you know can spare the odd hour...

TAZ · Old Hand

Your committee needs your support so GAL can grow and save the lives of these great dogs
So lets give them the backing to do what we elected them for to run GAL

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Well said, John and Andy! Couldn't agree more.

Christine

Amanda · Master

Think it is time to move on.

A lot of spleens have been vented now we need to back our committee and move on.

You have our support I know things must be hard at the moment. Not sure if Phil's name is still on the list to transport dogs as we haven't done any in about a year. But if you need help....

Great idea to put the minuets in the magazine. If people know how tough things are they might be more willing to help.

Sunny girl · Master

I agree we all need to show our support. A lot (me included) of us have given our opinions without knowing all the details and to the committee is must have seemed as though we were not being supportive. I can't drive but i am happy to help where I can.

Landess

Valerie · Guru

Landess - that is very perceptive of you, and I'm glad you have posted it. I am new to the Committee, but I'm sure they won't mind me saying they feel very unsupported at the moment. They do not look for thanks, and are honest, hardworking folk, but when hard decisions have to be made for the greater good, it would be nice to know the membership would be supportive.

There have been lots of suggestions, and opinions given, but it seems to be folk are prepared to be quite vicious (to members privately and publicly) without knowing all the facts, or deciding they should get involved if they feel the committee can be run better. It is appreciated there have been some supportive comments - but they are few.

I posted previously that a committee can't always reveal the facts, and they are an easy target - and that still stands. Perhaps in time things will be clearer.

I don't want to go into my personal credentials, but I'm a pretty tough cookie, and been around enough politics etc., but I've been shocked at the vitriol which has emerged. Perhaps I was naive in thinking that everyone associated with GAL would only have one thing on their minds - saving dogs. I've been shocked enough to want to give up my post, because I stepped forward with the sole intention of putting in effort to a rescue charity for dogs.

Jay · Old Hand

Valerie wrote:

Landess - that is very perceptive of you, and I'm glad you have posted it. I am new to the Committee, but I'm sure they won't mind me saying they feel very unsupported at the moment. They do not look for thanks, and are honest, hardworking folk, but when hard decisions have to be made for the greater good, it would be nice to know the membership would be supportive.

There have been lots of suggestions, and opinions given, but it seems to be folk are prepared to be quite vicious (to members privately and publicly) without knowing all the facts, or deciding they should get involved if they feel the committee can be run better. It is appreciated there have been some supportive comments - but they are few.

Thanks for your posts Landess and Valerie. I don't know if its any help or not to those who are on the committee at the moment but the last committee encountered similar problems.

This (occasionally nasty) criticism of the past committee was one of the reasons why so many stood down at the last AGM. I know how it feels to work for the dogs in the face of criticism and personal comments which you just cannot understand. To be fair most of it comes from a small vocal minority of members, however.

My call has always been that we need to put aside those petty arguments and work for the dogs and only the dogs. That should be why we all do what we do and if its not then people need to examine why they are members at all.

Its a natural trait of people to believe that we could run things better, however its not untill the mantle of responsibility is on your shoulders that the real difficulties are appreciated. Its fine for members who bear no responsibilities to make suggestions, in fact suggestions from members, I'm sure, are welcomed, but it is the job of the committee to weigh these suggestions in the light of the details of GALs work and the direction that we are going and in the light of legal and ethical implications. This means that not all suggestions, however well intentioned they may be, can be implemented. And members need to accept the decisions of the committee. After all we elected them for that purpose!

Despite the often nasty criticsim which was directed towards the last committee, when you look at the facts GAL was brought to its best strategic position ever. More money raised and spent on the dogs, real plans for our own kennels, more dogs saved from misery or destruction.

I absolutely believe that, despite the difficulties encountered, the current committee will continue the good work and move GAL forward even further.

It is the duty of all members to put aside any personal agendas and support your committee to save that which we all love, the dogs.

-- Edited by Jay at 10:54, 2007-06-02

Dave · Enlightened One

Valerie wrote:
There have been lots of suggestions, and opinions given, but it seems to be folk are prepared to be quite vicious (to members privately and publicly) without knowing all the facts, or deciding they should get involved if they feel the committee can be run better. It is appreciated there have been some supportive comments - but they are few.

I posted previously that a committee can't always reveal the facts, and they are an easy target - and that still stands. Perhaps in time things will be clearer.

I feel it's a credit to the current GAL membership that despite being largley in the dark surrounding past / present events that they still remain in support of GAL, or I guess more appropriately still in support of the welfare of Greyhounds and Lurchers. For this, everyone on this forum should be commended regardless of their involvement in GAL or otherwise. I think the majority of folks on this forum are GAL members or donate in some small (or large) way to GAL financially or lend a hand from time to time at events and the like. Without their support there wouldn't be a GAL.

Over the years when I was on the committee it became increasingly apparent that there was a general feeling that the GAL Committee weren't as open as they should be, Steve's initial post here was an idea for the minutes of GAL meetings to be made public, for a large Charitable Organisation like GAL this, I've always felt, should be done as a matter of course. I think this would lead to the members feeling more a part of GAL rather than them feeling they are just sitting on the sidelines and lending a hand every now and then. By doing this it may also make the committee take stock of actions and comments made within the committee meetings and lead to a more open and honest consideration of facts and a more open outlook on suggestions / actions taken by the membership at large.

The last week or so has been a low point in the life of GAL, as Val has said the vitriol has been dished out in large quantities however this has been served up not only by non committee members but also by some current committee members, the appropriateness of comments posted on this forum has been questionable particularly post's (now deleted) containing references to ''committee matters'' which most of the membership are not aware of due to the fact that minutes of Committee meetings are not open to public consideration.

The last AGM was a turning point for GAL with only 1 committee member remaining from the previous year (me) and I now have left the committee. It may be time for the remaining committee to take stock, particularly of recent events and quickly consider how open they feel committee discussions and actions need to be.

If there's information which needs to be in the public domain then place it there for the GAL members to see then, with the members support, move on to more appropriate business. Look at the current posts being put on here by the members -

1. Support for GAL's ethos - saving the lives of Greyhounds
2. Support for GAL Events
3. Offers of support and help on all aspects of GAL
4. Anticipation over the next online fundraiser

and appreciate their help and support.

cheers
Dave

Amanda · Master

Quite a few of us have said how we want to move on and want to back the committee. It is tricky when we don't know what is going on or really anything about them.

I noticed in the introduction part there was a section introducing the committee and it says "coming soon" I know you are all busy and this is yet another suggestion to add to your work load but could committee members write a little paragraph about themselves so they are no longer a faceless body. It doesn't have to be personal just a note on what their role is and perhaps a bit about their hounds. Just a thought, perhaps I am just nosey lol.

I think the tide has turned and people are trying to think of ways to get GAL back on track and lighten the mood. Hope my posts haven't upset people that was not the intention. I have a great amount of repect for anyone who gives up so much of their time. smile

Amanda

Lindasdogs · GAL Convenor * Homing Co-ordinator * Forum Moderator

Amanda,

They always say great minds think alike - the committee just started to do write up's about themselves when we got slightly sidetracked.... But never fear - I will say we will probably have them out soon.

It would then help everyone feel as if they know more about those on the committee...

Thanks for the great suggestion and the support!
Linda

Dawn · Guru

Great suggestions from the Members, and that is not to say that the Committee arent working hard behind the scenes to take GAL forward, which we know they are. Saving the lives of the Greyhound is the business that GAL is in, and provided that we all feel the same, there should be no reason why we cannot all work together to achieve this. It would appear by recent postings that there is no room in GAL for people who have anything other than, SAVING THE LIFE'S of GREYHOUNDS, on their agenda. Not personal life's, not avatars, but the DOGS. Delighted to read that we are all singing off the same hymn sheet.
Let us show our united support for the good of the dogs.
Dawn

Steve · Master

Whilst I remember - I spent a bit of time writing up a DIY media/publicity guide for GAL folks (mainly the committee I suppose) since I don't have the time to help out on this front like before.

If you want this for the Committee or to put on the website for others (when the web gets its revamp) let me know and I'll dig it out from my computer - I think I still have it.