Communication & Consultation

Recent events have reminded me of the importance of openness and transparency, and communication and consultation with stakeholders - those who decision-makers wish to implement their decisions.

The principles of natural justice embodied in the incorporations act and the common law, and indeed common sense, demand that in a democratic society like ours, those affected by a decision be consulted before a policy decision is made by decision-makers.

The reasons for adequate consultation are well-known and include:

- testing whether a proposed policy reflects key stakeholder concerns and issues.

- identifying the competing interests of different people or groups.

- thinking through of all consequences and impacts.

- building consensus and "buy-in". No one likes surprises.

- supporting transparency in the policy making process.

- good policy and compliance.

It is simply a matter of seeking consultation comments on proposals, new committee terms of reference, etc, and taking comments into account when making our decisions, along the lines of the process at: http://mfs.org.au/wiki/index.php/MFS_Organisers_Group

Sometimes urgent decisions have to be taken without consultation, but lack of prior consultation can also lead to "more haste less speed" when it comes to attempted implementation, particularly in a voluntary association of autonomous activities like ours.

Personally, if I am not consulted before a decision is taken that affects me, I have no confidence that it will be a well-considered decision, and no interest in its implementation. Others can make their own decisions and if they want to they can do it, but for me I am taking a stand - no consultation, no implementation. The days of obeying without question are long gone around here.

Conversely, I try for open and transparent processes. The End of Month Dance Organising Team agendas and minutes are published on the members' web site. If I am ever involved in a decision that affects you, and you feel you weren't adequately consulted before the decision was made, please let me know and I will do my best to take the process back a step or two and try again.

Regards

Lance

Social Networking

We all have different mind-sets at different times. I generally go for the "we are all in this together" mindset, relishing diversity, welcoming new folk and new ideas, expanding and growing, and in particular all ages and levels of experience working together to achieve wonderful outcomes.

There are innumerable intergenerational opportunities everywhere. Barbara and I freely admit to being at the "elder" end of the age and experience spectrum. That gives us certain strengths but also certain weaknesses.

For example, we would not be perceived as "cool" people by many younger folk. We may come across as inspiring oldies, but not as trend-setters to be followed. So here is an intergenerational opportunity for younger members to advise us on what will work to attract a younger crowd, to pitch in and help deliver those attractive experiences, and to promote the product through social networks and all the other fantastic ways that we have to communicate our message to a huge on-line audience these days. By telling your facebook friends about a great MFS event, "liking" and "inviting to" MFS events, and getting your friends to pass it on, you can reach a huge and younger crowd.

I don't know much about social networking, apart from seeing the movie, but I'm sure many MFS members do, and I'm sure this is a great intergenerational opportunity for all of us to work together for a great cause.

If you wish to work with us for a glorious future, you will be more than welcome on our various dance organising teams. These teams have a great mix of age and experience levels, but many hands make light work and we need a few more younger folk that we can work with in an intergenerational way on key roles. Just get in touch. If you wish to use your own social network to get more people participating and involved, that's great too, and of course we would love to hear of your endeavours.

Even better, why not become the "official" face of bush dancing on facebook (and/or other social networks), on behalf of the bush dance organising teams? Create the appropriate facebook page and create events there and invite people to them, and those people can invite their friends and so on...

We will sincerely appreciate anything you can do - just get in touch and we can work out the details. Many hands, light work.

Cheers
Lance

All good things must come to an end, but not right now!

All good things must come to an end, but not right now!

We are retiring around the end of 2012 and would like to work with younger folk who will keep the bush dancing alive and booming after we retire.

If you would like to help please let us know and we will do everything we can to make that happen. We are thinking a long way out to make a transition easy, and because we make bookings a long way out. Here is a list of opportunities:

Convenor, End of Month Dance Organising Team (EOMDOT):
- Convene meetings
- Execute decisions made by EOMDOT
- Recruit and retain volunteers
- Report to MFS Committee

EOMDOT Band Bookings Officer
- Draft band bookings list for EOMDOT consideration
- Liaise with bands
- Organise band billeting
- Certify accounts for payment
- Report to EOMDOT

EOMDOT & BDG Venue Bookings Officer
- Book venues
- Liaise with venue managers
- Organise key pickup & return
- Certify accounts for payment
- Report to EOMDOT & BDGC

Event Manager
- Organise supper and/or refreshments
- Organise venue decoration
- Report to EOMDOT or BDGC

Bush Dance Publicity Officer
- Update on-line databases
- Email Canberra Time etc
- Organise posters & dodgers
- Report to EOMDOT & BDGC

Canberra Dance News
- Currently a monthly email

Primary Contact, The Bush Dancers display group
- Take bookings from event organisers
- Arrange musician coordinator for each event
- Notify dancers of events
- Display publicity material
- Report to MFS Committee

Please let us know your thoughts.

Regards
Barbara & Lance

Another AGM

Well the MFS AGM has been and gone, and I am sure all members are highly appreciative of those who stepped forward on the night, when there was only one nomination for committee received. It was an excellent candidate, but nine candidates short of what was needed.

I did not stand because I have moved on to leading the End of Month Dance Organising Team (EOMDOT), and I am working towards handing that role over around the end of 2012.

I understand there are still some vacancies so it is not too late to contact someone on the MFS Committee and offer your services.

At this time of year we are reminded of the need to improve our encouragement of people to stand, and the need for informed decisions by members about those stepping forward to take on trusted roles. My encouragement has, by and large, fallen on deaf ears I'm afraid.

Maybe we should start months before the AGM, with candidates uploading their photo, a little about themselves, and what they stand for to the members' wiki? Then all members will be able to see if there are not enough candidates, and they might be encouraged to stand. It might create that "buzz" of excitement that will result in more interest and nominations.

It will also mitigate the risk of someone intent on fraud, or someone with a track record of mis-management or trouble-making infiltrating our society management for their purposes that are not our purposes. Finding a nominator and seconder is little safeguard in the heat of the AGM urgency to fill positions, even if the volunteer joins the MFS on the night, and if there is only one nomination they must be declared elected under the current rules. Advance nomination is a stronger deterrent, allowing background checks or simple "asking around" by members to find out a little about candidates, and sounding of alarm bells or nomination of more suitable candidates if the members feel strongly about a particular person.

We could also think about all members being able to vote for candidates electronically or by coming to the AGM, the member's choice. This would prevent unrepresentative elections through meeting stacking.

Any other matter to be voted on at the AGM has to be notified to all members in advance, so maybe all members should be able to vote electronically and the AGM should go ahead with whoever turns up on the night. The AGM would cover reports and questions and so forth, and receipt of "manual" votes.

Anything like this would require careful thinking through, consultation with all members, changes to the rules, and selection of technology to be used. It would also need strong member support, but it could make a huge difference to the future of the society. What do you think?

My personal annual report:

We are having a great time and the MFS funds will easily see us out, in fact they keep piling up in the bank. The treasurer reported a healthy profit last year, and more than enough money in the bank. The EOM dances, balls and Bush Dance Group have been particularly successful. In fact it appears from the MFS AGM that each of our businesses are progressing under competent management, but MFS Committee is reporting some difficulties. I think with goodwill and good humour all round, and business-like communication and consultation, any real whole-of-society issues can be easily addressed.

Sincere thanks to all the volunteers, the door welcomers and refreshment organisers, the decorating teams and publicity promoters, the cleaners and stackers, and all the musicians, callers and dancers who have made this excellent year possible.

Regards

Lance

MFS AGM

The Monaro Folk Society AGM is on at 7:30pm this Thursday 22 September 2011, at St Margaret's Uniting Church Hall, cnr Antill St & Phillip Ave, Hackett.

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?

There are some timeless reflections in the lead-up to the MFS AGM, at

http://canberradance.blogspot.com/2011/04/reflections.html

Back after 2 Months Away

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

Results of Micro-Survey #4

The 9 responses to this survey, "a little about you", are shown below. This survey is now closed and the results of this survey, and other feedback, have been particularly valuable in our considerations around the idea of an end of month dance pass.

Q1: Approximately how many MFS dances have you attended in the last year, by type?

Q2: What Non-MFS dances have you attended in the last year?

Q3: What can we do to maintain or increase your participation in MFS dances?

Q1:1 End of Month dances at Cook, Heritage Dance
Q2:National Folk Festival
Q3:You are doing a fine job. Your email communications re what's coming up are clear and concise. I have only discovered MSF in the last 4 months or so.

Q1:EOM - 7; 1st Sat - 6; Colonial Ball; Gala Ball; Bush Capital Ball; Hertitage Week dance; Christmas Dance; Contra 2nd Sat - 3; Irish Ceilis - 2; Irish Set Dance weekend; Monday workshops - 30; DITP - 7; Contra Tuesdays - 18; Irish Set Dance classes - 10.
Q2:NFF dances; Bundanoon Dance Weekend; RSCDS Scottish dances - 10; St Judes school bush dance; Tumut Falling Leaves dance
Q3:Variety of dances / callers.

Q1:None
Q2:None
Q3:Welcome me when I return tentatively to dancing after 6 months of disability-imposed exile.

Q1:4
Q2:6
Q3:Better variety of dances, dances that appeal to more experienced dancers, which would include the less experienced dancers improving their standard of dance. Less walk throughs and more talk throughs, or get someone to demonstrate how the dance goes. Good dance music, by musicians who know the correct beat to the different types of dance

Q1:zip

Q2:zip
Q3:keep up all the communication and never give up!

Q1:40

Q2:0
Q3:In advertising MFS dances and classes, explicitly encourage men to attend so that the many women without dance partners can enjoy the events more than they do at present.

Q1:none
Q2:Many National Folk Festival dances every year since 1999 Most years I go to TSDAV's Portarlington weekend Living in Adelaide, I attend most ATBDS dances (Maureen Morris's)
Q3:I will maintain my participation in NFF and Portarlington, but am unlikely to increase participation at other places due to the distance from Adelaide.

Q1:3 contra dances
Q2:Nil
Q3:keep sending the dance news list. Very useful to see what is coming up but my interest has turned to other things. Not enough hours in the day : )

Q1:1 ball, 10 contra, 10 bush
Q2:All of those
Q3:Have more dances in school holidays