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  1. #1

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    Default Open Management for the Committee

    Hi Everyone,

    I would like to put this forward to the other candidates and ask what their policy on an open style of management.

    For those of you who know me from OC UK, you will know if there is something confirmed in relation to the benefit of the OC UK membership I will try to make the information as freely available as soon as I have it in my possession. I intend to do this if I am elected to GAGB Office as well.

    What do all the other candidates think about overall transparency for the GAGB membership after the election and for the whole duration of the committee's term in office?

    Thanks
    Dominic
    Last edited by geocaching womble; 17th November 2012 at 12:59 PM.

  2. #2

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    I have to agree; from comments in the forums and facebook chatter in general, I feel that it needs to be the mission for any of us that get elected to the committee, to work with the chairperson and have a fresh start over the sharing/publication of management information. The GAGB has done some marvelous work in the past and we should never forget that. I see the future progressing this good work, but enhancing on the work done and becoming an association for all, and ensuring that information is shared accordingly.

    The Committee cannot do everything alone. We therefore need to be prepared to listen to the members and take on board not only their comments but their advice and ideas. There are members withing the geocaching community that have a wealth of experience in many areas and they need to feel that they can become involved regardless of their standing within the GAGB.

    GAGB members need to feel that it is an association for them - and feel included - we can do this by sharing, listening and being visible within the geocaching community.

  3. #3

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    It's useful to have a constant reminder of the need for transparency on the committee. The last committee did decide to post the minutes of their last meeting in full (without the previous abridged version) but ongoing reminders of the need to promote GAGB transparency are good.


    Caching since 2001
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  4. #4

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    I made transparency central to my campaign to be elected Chairman and it features top of my list in my election statement to be elected to our committee now.

    A member-readable committee discussions forum was one of our first improvements during 2008/09 and it got off to an acceptable start - a page of threads for that year - but then only a further page of threads for the next 3 years. So why has it barely been used? The reasons for creating the member-readable committee discussions forum would be the same now as they were then, and surely have been for the duration too.

    A private committee forum and private reviewers (Groundspeak only as far as I was aware) plus committee forum existed in 2008/09 and still do, if the lack of dialogue in the member-readable committee forum is anything to go by. These should be reserved for confidential items only, but would appear to have been used for most regular committee business too.

    It is possible that even email was used, potentially disenfranchising members of the committee from the process if they were not CC'd. Thus, I suggest email should not be used between committee members, except when forwarding external information / enquiries.

    I think it should be abundantly clear to all that using forums this way if only for lack of discipline and no motive whatsoever is all that it takes to provide ammunition for our detractors, who can then make accusations of 'secrecy' because our committee is working in private. It's an own goal for GAGB.

    However, the way our debate is taking place now, in public view, is excellent and the first step along the right path, so again, I acknowledge our outgoing committee, who agreed to hold it here.

    Though our committee should be as transparent as possible, I think it is also the responsibility of our members to question what is being discussed, if there's nothing to see. I'd like you all to provide these checks and balances: you are entitled to expect the highest standards from our committee.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by sandvika View Post
    A private committee forum and private reviewers (Groundspeak only as far as I was aware)
    It also appiles to OC UK aprrovers as well

    Thanks
    Dominic

  6. #6

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    Default

    This post fits well with my own view on this particular subject



    Quote Originally Posted by sandvika View Post
    I made transparency central to my campaign to be elected Chairman and it features top of my list in my election statement to be elected to our committee now.

    A member-readable committee discussions forum was one of our first improvements during 2008/09 and it got off to an acceptable start - a page of threads for that year - but then only a further page of threads for the next 3 years. So why has it barely been used? The reasons for creating the member-readable committee discussions forum would be the same now as they were then, and surely have been for the duration too.

    A private committee forum and private reviewers (Groundspeak only as far as I was aware) plus committee forum existed in 2008/09 and still do, if the lack of dialogue in the member-readable committee forum is anything to go by. These should be reserved for confidential items only, but would appear to have been used for most regular committee business too.

    It is possible that even email was used, potentially disenfranchising members of the committee from the process if they were not CC'd. Thus, I suggest email should not be used between committee members, except when forwarding external information / enquiries.

    I think it should be abundantly clear to all that using forums this way if only for lack of discipline and no motive whatsoever is all that it takes to provide ammunition for our detractors, who can then make accusations of 'secrecy' because our committee is working in private. It's an own goal for GAGB.

    However, the way our debate is taking place now, in public view, is excellent and the first step along the right path, so again, I acknowledge our outgoing committee, who agreed to hold it here.

    Though our committee should be as transparent as possible, I think it is also the responsibility of our members to question what is being discussed, if there's nothing to see. I'd like you all to provide these checks and balances: you are entitled to expect the highest standards from our committee.

  7. #7
    keehotee Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by sandvika View Post

    Though our committee should be as transparent as possible, I think it is also the responsibility of our members to question what is being discussed, if there's nothing to see.
    Members questioning the committee is nothing new. It would be nice to see those questions being answered honestly on occasion though

  8. #8

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    I have no problem with transparency. But I do have problems with those who say GAGB isn't. Maybe I've not been on Committee long enough to know the history. I do know that with other organisations I've been involved in, publishing Committee minutes was something that was asked for, but never utilised, and never, over many years, produced any questions from the membership.

    As for length of term, one year is insufficient, and works against continuity. You get to 10 months, and the temptation is to start slowing down, pending the election. Three years is better, with one-third retiring each year. I'm sat hear, for example, wondering how far I should go with the next issue of Seeker. Normally I'd have the framework all done by now, and maybe at least one article or picture portfolio in place.
    Isn't it amazing what you don't see, when you don't know what you're looking for?
    The past is history; the future is a story yet to be told; write it well.

  9. #9
    keehotee Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by countrymatters View Post
    I have no problem with transparency. But I do have problems with those who say GAGB isn't. Maybe I've not been on Committee long enough to know the history. I do know that with other organisations I've been involved in, publishing Committee minutes was something that was asked for, but never utilised, and never, over many years, produced any questions from the membership.

    As for length of term, one year is insufficient, and works against continuity. You get to 10 months, and the temptation is to start slowing down, pending the election. Three years is better, with one-third retiring each year. I'm sat hear, for example, wondering how far I should go with the next issue of Seeker. Normally I'd have the framework all done by now, and maybe at least one article or picture portfolio in place.
    So your only incentive to produce the magazine is a committee place? Oh dear

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by keehotee View Post
    So your only incentive to produce the magazine is a committee place? Oh dear
    Just what I read as well.

    A few more visits to the forum and less private dealings by some is needed.

  11. #11

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    What a warped interpretation.
    Isn't it amazing what you don't see, when you don't know what you're looking for?
    The past is history; the future is a story yet to be told; write it well.

  12. #12

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    I agree with transparency of the GAGB and the decision of full minutes to be posted was implemented through the last year when I agreed to it as a Committee member.

    This is just one continuing discussion which will be needed to be addressed after the Committee has been elected as to what GAGB members wish to know.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by mollyjak View Post
    I agree with transparency of the GAGB and the decision of full minutes to be posted was implemented through the last year when I agreed to it as a Committee member.

    This is just one continuing discussion which will be needed to be addressed after the Committee has been elected as to what GAGB members wish to know.
    Different members will want to know different things at different times and all have a perfect entitlement to dip in, dip out of the discussion as and when they wish.

    However, the onus is on our committee to make this straightforward through transparency. Our members should not need to ask and it is less work for our committee if our members are able to find what they are looking for, for themselves.

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by sandvika View Post
    Different members will want to know different things at different times and all have a perfect entitlement to dip in, dip out of the discussion as and when they wish.

    However, the onus is on our committee to make this straightforward through transparency. Our members should not need to ask and it is less work for our committee if our members are able to find what they are looking for, for themselves.
    Of course they will ask as and when they wish - I didn't expect them all to ask at exactly the same time.

    Plus the members do not need to ask for minutes they will be posted as is already being done.

    Although to be honest with all this talk of transparency I just wonder what it is that everyone seems to think was being hidden and needs to be made so transparent???

  15. #15

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    In my experience people request/demand transparency, which I take to mean the publishing of all committee business, but when it's made available they don't read it. I think minutes etc would reach a wider readership if they were attached to Seeker if that's feasible.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by mollyjak View Post
    Although to be honest with all this talk of transparency I just wonder what it is that everyone seems to think was being hidden and needs to be made so transparent???
    If GAGB had no detractors, I might wonder too. However, the whole point is to be transparent so that our detractors can see for themselves that nothing is being hidden. Some clearly think there is a hidden agenda, or some collusion with a listing site, or whatever, and this is damaging. If they can see that we have a perfectly normal committee doing perfectly normal things that you would expect a committee to be doing, their criticism can be shown to be unfounded.

    It won't be an overnight fix, but at least we will be on the right path.

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