To whom it may concern
I have just returned from a long walk with my dog during which I reflected on the two ‘main events’ of my weekend: a concert yesterday with my choir, and today’s AGM at the allotments. They couldn’t be more dissimilar!
The choir has about 55 members, has a Committee of volunteers to make decisions on our behalf and an AGM once a year. We perform 3 concerts a year and the organisation of these is done by a committed and enthusiastic group of volunteers, some on the Committee, others simply lending a hand. Discussions are respectful and suggestions for improving things are listened to, discussed and voted upon where appropriate. There is no sense of ‘us and them’ or having a ‘top table’. When there is an emergency or problem (as there was last night), someone can be relied upon to step up and either solve it themselves or offer a solution. It’s a pleasure to be part of such a group.
Today’s AGM was well attended which was great to see. The agenda and papers had been thoughtfully put together and well organised. I’d like to say a special thank you to Steve and John for the huge amount of work that they put into this.
Unfortunately, other people seem to have little appreciation of what the Committee does and, in Barry’s case, seem to think that the Committee cannot make any decisions without reference to the whole Association. Clearly this would make the existence of the Committee pointless and this interpretation of the Registered Rules has been dismissed by the Legal Officer at the National Society of Allotment and Leisure and Gardeners (NSALG). The Committee has delegated authority to make decisions and does so within the framework of policies and procedures agreed by the Association.
Barry doesn’t accept this advice in the same way as he will not accept other, different interpretations or decisions with which he disagrees. A lot of time and energy has been expended trying to deal with issues that he has raised but he continues to raise them.
That we spent such an enormous amount of time, energy and goodwill revisiting these issues is bad enough, but my main concern is the tone of the meeting. It is always easy to criticise. Criticisms may be valid, but the disrespectful, cynical and, at times, aggressive tone was, to my mind completely unreasonable. I will keep on saying it: we are volunteers, we are doing our best, we may make mistakes but, whatever we are, we are not corrupt or self-serving as some people imply.
I believe it is only a small number of people who seem to be ‘anti’ but they have not only made the job of the Committee even harder but seem keen to spread discontent and misinformation to others.
Today’s meeting was a very unpleasant experience and I hate to think what any new plot holder must have thought!
The attacks demonstrated a lack of trust in the Committee, yet those who attack are rarely seen doing anything positive, such as helping at working parties. Everyone knows that we have working parties. If you don’t know when they are, perhaps you could ask?
I left the meeting feeling very shaky at the unfairness of the aggression shown and the total lack of appreciation and understanding. Perhaps most hurtful is the sense that the Committee cannot be trusted to even get the minutes right and that everyone must keep notes and make them available for scrutiny or that we need a meeting to set the agenda for a meeting! I repeat what I said at today’s meeting: we are a small allotment society run by volunteers who put in a huge amount of time and energy to keeping YOUR Association going as best we can. We are not the United Nations!
I have been distressed before by some of the very unpleasant and unreasonable emails and comments made to Committee members over the past few years but I’m afraid today has made me realise that I no longer wish to be involved with such a toxic organisation. As I say, I believe it’s only a few people, but they are poisoning the place. As a result, I have decided to resign immediately. I will complete the minutes as best I can, but I really think I can spend my time more productively elsewhere.
This is a bit odd as I have only just been re-elected, but I’m sure that some people will be delighted to see the back of me. I should just point out though, that democracy is not being served at the moment and ironically, it’s the behaviour of the member who continually goes on about the primary importance of democracy and co-operation who is damaging it! Who wants to attend another AGM or GM like that?
I’d also like to add that having witnessed the nastiness and abuse that Committee members receive, especially the Officers, who would want to be either on the Committee or to stand as an Officer? Without a functioning Committee, our Association is in danger.
I hope that I’ve been of use to the Committee and the Association over the past 10 or so years and, if things changed, I might be prepared to stand again. But not now.
Jane