I would recommend that each province hold a general meeting with their members prior to the AGM to allow the members to give voice to their concerns.
would you attend a provincial meeting?
a] at a local trial?
b] At place other than local trial?
jane
define "local" :-)
ReplyDeletethank you Wendy
ReplyDelete"local" means at a trial in your provincial region.
Jane
In that case, my answer would be "depends" :-)
ReplyDeleteMy province is Ontario, but London is not local
Agreed: The members will be voting to divde Ontario and BC into 3 and 2 new provincial areas. this would make it easier for those members. would members in the other provincial areas feel this would work for them?
ReplyDeleteGreat start on the blog Jane. Nice to see someone being so pro-active.
ReplyDeleteSince you did ask a couple of questions on there, and I am not entirely sure
how you want the answers : - ) I will give them here...
I think each Regional Director should be encouraged to get as much input as
possible from their constituents before general meetings, and in fact
throughout the year. After all how can you represent folks if you don`t know
where they stand on the issues.
A meeting may be feasible in some regions, but there are also other options.
At the beginning of her term as Alberta RD, Kiersten Lloyd started up an
email list for Alberta AAC folks to disseminate AAC news, and I am sure that
other Regions have done the same. Again, there is the "who has access and
who doesn`t" issue. But it is one way to keep a large number of Regional
members informed and allow them to provide feedback specific to the Region.
It would be great to have a members only section on the AAC site. It would
help make those who took time and effort to get AAC memberships feel like
they were getting something extra, as they should. I would opt for an
e-section rather than a newsletter personally, but think that a printed
version needs to be an option for those who chose it.
Seanna
the above posted to the Bark list and posted here with her permission.
ReplyDeleteThanks Seanna:
ReplyDeleteI agree that the regional directors need to encourage input from the members. Continuous contact is important. I have spoken to others who agree that emails or Yahoo groups would be another way to keep in touch.
It is not easy in so vast a country as ours to hold our AGM or general meetings so everyone can attend. Many options need to be put in place so that the regional directors can present to the recording secretary the suggestions and concerns the members may have on agenda for the directors as a whole to consider. It should be all about team work, members and Directors working as one to make the AAC the venue to play in regardless of the division we enter.
When rules change or by-laws ignored or broken without an explanation we ask "who and or why" ? Not all changes come form the Rules Committee or the Think Tank. It can be disconcerting and many begin to wonder if the Board cares about the individual member.
We are proud to be an Association that encompasses and encourages the trialing of all dogs/handlers. This is our strength and we must build on that strength.
This is a two way street. The AAC needs the input of all directors,members and yes the elusive non-member if we are to continue to enjoy the growth of the Sport.
Thank you again Seanna for your input.
Jane
I do not think a trial is the best place to have it. I know I am busy running around, dealing with two dogs: when they are running, studying the course, doing my volunteer work, etc. If you meant, in the evening during a trial, by then, I am tired and sore and just want to go home.
ReplyDeleteYou also have the issue, that if it is in Prince George or Vancouver, or wherever, the cost of getting a large number of AAC members together, at one location, when we are spread out throughout a large geographic area.
I do not know if it is possible to do some sort of phone meeting or web meeting, where everyone calls in to a central number or website. There is Microsoft Live Meeting software, and I am sure other similar programs, that can be used. The company I work for has a conference call system, that can accept high numbers of calls on the phone line.
Maybe through Telus, something similar to that is available.
I agree and one reason I suggested provincial meetings, still large areas in some provinces. Other possibilities need to be looked into. Always open to suggestions.
ReplyDeletejane
NetMeeting - what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWendy:
ReplyDeleteNet meeting can you explain further. provincial yahoo groups as Jennifer Laird suggested might also work.
Jane