It's great to be back after two months away.
While we were away it seems there was a problem between some Monaro Folk Society (MFS) committee members and our musicians.
The result was that our musicians decided to secede from the MFS. We understand that the dispute arose from the MFS Committee's inability to properly delegate and empower their organisers, to the point where continuing under the current MFS Committee appeared not legally nor socially an option.
In a free association of autonomous activities like the MFS, decentralised management is the only approach that is going to work. If organisers are not authorised to appoint volunteers, book halls, and undertake all the other things that are needed to run their business, it's not going to work. If top level decisions are taken without prior consultation with those affected, it's not going to work.
Any belief that the MFS committee is able to over-ride any decision, no matter how trivial, as if they had the credentials and capability to run everything themselves, is unrealistic, and worse would have the potential to destroy all that is good within the society.
Hopefully the incoming MFS Committee will recognise these simple and timeless truths that apply to any multifaceted organisation like ours.
Perhaps you should be part of that incoming committee, and through sensible democratic leadership ensure that the dance musicians remain part of the society?
We support our musicians 100%. We formed The Bush Dancers display group to promote bush dancing and traditional Australian music and we could not and would not continue without the musicians' participation. They give freely and generously of their time and are a wonderful asset to MFS and to Canberra, the bush dance capital.
There is no immediate change for The Bush Dancers display group. It is an activity of the Monaro Folk Society, as active as ever, and we will continue to lead the display group. We have excellent bookings reaching out to mid 2012 and ongoing generous support from musicians, dancers and event organisers.
There was some disruption to Bush Dance Group (BDG) activities but BDG is now back to operating as usual as an activity of the MFS, pending the election of a new MFS committee at the MFS AGM. No dancers ever left the society. One musician resigned, but has now withdrawn that resignation. The other musicians were solidly in support of both actions. We also remain 100% supportive of that musician and of course of all our musicians.
We have had a fantastic twenty years on various Monaro Folk Society committees, but seriously consider that now is the time for the next generation to begin to take over. A surplus of candidates at the AGM and a packed house will auger well for the future of the society.
The folk society is run by folk like you. If you have a commitment to open and fair leadership, with proper consultation with those affected before making decisions and respect for the competence of those responsible for our various autonomous activities, why not stand? If not you, who? Why not seize this opportunity for a great experience and personal growth while helping a worthy cause?
Regards
Lance
