MFS Action Group of Candidates

I have received the message below from Geoff Kell. Please send any replies
directly to Geoff at geoff(at)weejaspercaves(dot)com

Geoff and the other candidates have my full support.

Regards
Lance

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A VISION FOR MFS 2014

Over the last few years there has been a decline in attendance at events organised by different groups in the society.

People move, retire, follow other interests and there has not been a great influx of new participants. Similarly there has been ongoing difficulty in filling positions on the committee and the carrying out of necessary functions.

We, the undersigned, believe that the MFS requires urgent action to resolve some long term issues that have affected its performance and threaten the viability of the organisation.

Accordingly, we have formed an MFS Action Group of candidates who believe we can work harmoniously together: we seek your endorsement for election to the MFS committee so that we can address the following issues which we believe require immediate attention.

·         INFORMATION TO MEMBERS:  Improve openness and transparency by communication between the committee and MFS membership.  Publishing minutes and group reports on the web site and consulting with groups that are affected by committee decisions.

·         PROMOTION: Actively pursue new membership through better publicity and media profile.

Engage with compatible organisations and institutions, including schools and public forums.

Improve the website to make it more user friendly as an information resource.

·         INSURANCE:  Take necessary steps to ensure that insurance coverage is sufficient to safeguard significant assets and extends to all volunteers at events.

Ensure subgroups have necessary documentation of this for their activities.

Address the write off of assets and clarify their location and current value.

·         WORKING TOGETHER: Seek to resolve quickly any outstanding conflicts affecting activities of the society.

·         DELEGATION:  Clarify issues of delegation of authority for groups within the society to carry out their activities, including insurance aspects.

·         UPDATE RULES: Update the rules of association appropriately to include references to the use of online technology.

Our purpose in nominating for committee positions is to stand up for these objectives and do our utmost to ensure they are at the forefront of all society dealings. All activities inevitably involve some work to organise and execute but this should be and can be done in a spirit of mutual respect and enjoyment.

If you agree with this we ask that you attend the AGM on the 11th of September to support and vote for those who envision an enjoyable and reasonable future for the society.

Consultative  working  group:

Linda Aunela   Geoff Kell    James Lissaman     Antonella Salpietro

Simon Nesa David     Roni Giacobetti    Bob Hodgson   Peter Gamble

~~~~~END OF MESSAGE FROM GEOFF KELL~~~~~

The MFS Needs You on 11 September

The MFS AGM is approaching and with it your chance to really make a difference.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to step forward and help see the society through another year. It's not onerous, and I reckon most things can be taken care of electronically these days. But, it needs you to make it thrive, not just survive.

I am a fairly tolerant sort of bloke but I am afraid that the current MFS executive is beyond the pale, and we are going to have to kick this mob out. And that is not the royal "we" - this means you.

MFS executive have been unable to provide me with an insurance certificate to replace the one that expired over a month ago, they have messed up my use of MFS Announce, they have been unable to provide copies of their minutes (if there are any), they have tried to interfere in other people's business while neglecting their own responsibilities, and the society is in obvious decline. 

The Bush Dancers display group is affected and the current executive have shown a reckless indifference to the damage - no insurance certificate means our final performance is at risk. And there is no way that we will be organising grand reunion performances under the morass that the MFS has become.

But enough negativity, we need positivity and that means a new team at the top. We need an MFS Committee that can delegate and empower lots of members to do lots of folkie things. We need whole-of-society promotion and legal governance. We need helpful support not interference in our jobs, and openness and transparency at all levels.

It's not hard to provide good decisions at the top, in fact it's easier than making bad decisions. The main thing is to recruit and retain volunteers.

Anyone who is sound and sensible could do it, and it should not take much time. The insurance for example requires simply asking someone to organise annual renewal and distribute a copy of the insurance certificate and conditions to those who need it, and asking them to report that all is well. It wasn't a drama, it needn't be a drama, and it won't be a drama after this AGM, if you do your bit.

So, why not stand, and come along to the AGM, and ask others to stand as well. You never know who might surprise you with a "yes" until you ask.

Cheers

Lance