The weekend of 5th & 6th September 2009 was a busy one for many of the Association’s Area and District Presidents who gathered in Castle Donington and in Edinburgh to pick one another’s brains and share experience and wisdom with members of the NEC.
The topics covered included the evolving role of Area and District Presidents, effective action to develop members’ skills within Clubs, best practice in Club management, starting and maintaining new clubs, and how to run a successful Area.
Under the Chairmanship of National President David Grainger in Castle Donington and IPNP Joe James in Edinburgh, nearly fifty members within the Association discussed, debated and simulated their way through what was in both venues an entertaining and stimulating programme, largely devised by National Development Officer Mike Douse, with sessions presented also by Gwyneth Millard, Graham McLachlan, Gwyn Redgers, Bill Mitchell, Debra Owen-Hughes and Tom Scott.
So what emerged from all the activity? First of all an appreciation of the value of a good website as the 21st century ‘shop window’ of the Association as a whole and of individual Clubs. We acknowledged weaknesses honestly and laid plans for improvement. There was also a general welcome for some kind of self-evaluation checklist for Clubs, to help them monitor their own health and effectiveness, and for wider use of Mentors, especially for new members, to help them feel comfortable, welcomed and confident and to answer all those questions that they might be too shy to ask.
“Why (Oh Why!) did I volunteer for office?” – Yes, we even tackled that question. And what we found was that, although many get dragged or dragooned into it ‘because there’s nobody else’, most of us who had allowed ourselves to be pushed into it found that it was actually an enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding experience, from which we learnt a lot (and we didn’t mean “how to say ‘No’ next time”!)
In an entertaining and very searching simulation exercise based on practical challenges that can face a Club, Area or District President we saw how important it is for officers at all levels to know and understand our Constitution and Rules, and to apply these with a combination of firmness and compassion.
Above all we discovered the value of networking, of communicating, of sharing good, fresh ideas as well as the wisdom born of experience, and of motivating one another through mutual support and encouragement; which of course, is one of the great advantages of being an active member of a national Association.
At the end of both days, participants could hardly bear to drag themselves away, but trains and planes (but not boats) were not going to wait. “We have to do this again!” was the unanimous verdict as we dispersed with renewed enthusiasm, expressions of appreciation, and doggy bags from the abundant catering. Those who weren’t there missed a treat (and I don’t just mean the pies!)
Watch out for an Area and District Seminar coming to a venue near you!
