Iain Paul
28-09-2003, 22:45
As a longstanding member of BSAC and someone who frequently reads the forums, I have become increasingly frustrated and annoyed by the constant negative whinging attitude of the very small number of members and even NON members who have dominated them. Those who post must remember that they are a TINY MINORITY of the membership whereas, fortunately Council must represent all members including the apparently silent (so far as the forums are concerned) majority. Though I have never previously posted on any forum I do so now to say enough is enough. I also do so because I am one of those who has privately expressed my concern to Keith and seen him being questioned over his reference to myself and others of similar mind. If I over step any generally accepted protocols or miss-use "geek" language in making this post I make no apologies for doing so (other than to Keith). Whilst some may think "the shoe fits" it is not my intention that any individual should take offence. Come on guys BE POSITIVE. Stop slagging off BSAC especially in the public domain. Those of you who are not in membership are taking a very great liberty when doing so.
Reading many posts I am left thinking that there are a number of schizophrenics making them. For those of you who are actually in membership YOU ARE BSAC so don?t go saying "BSAC get your act together". For those of you who are making criticism or helping to fuel it from out with the current membership quite frankly, personally, I couldn't care less about your views and I don?t like paying for you to shoot MY organisation down in flames. Whilst accepting that there will always be room for improvement BSAC is an excellent organisation which allows everyone to have their say - perhaps currently to our overall detriment !
I would also make the following personal observations
As someone who struggled for some years to complete AD on SDC's due to lack of courses running within easy travelling distance -150 miles - I still believe that a great deal more was gained by having to do the courses out with my branch than would have been within it. Closed in Branch training can become very incestuous and often creates or perpetuates myths and half truths which are be quickly exploded when exposed to input from outsiders through the Regional Coaching schemes. Similar applies with ITS courses. Rather than arguing to do courses in house get your members to go out for them and gain experience from others, you'll be surprised what you/they will learn?... Or is that what you are afraid of?
Many supposed problems are not directly BSAC ones but come from the same place as BSAC's main strength- the Branch. Some of these emanate from the barrack room lawyers in clubs or else "long standing members" who are not prepared to move with the times (eg SALT) or have invented their own rules and qualifications over and above BSAC.
Having made my feelings known within the Region, and eventually achieved the qualifications, I was encouraged to get involved on the other side of the fence, something which I have since been heavily committed to (in addition to my Branch efforts) in order to try and improve the situation for others following in my footsteps. Strangely enough this has also had a major positive effect on my own Branch as my members meet, train and dive with members from other clubs.
It will no doubt never have been considered by the whingers that those organising courses (SDC or ITS) suffer the same frustration as would be participants but from the other side. It is however worse than this- ever considered the costs for an IFC? Facilities alone can be approaching ?500 and can be VERY hard to get hold of, even when booked months in advance. Imagine the pressure the LO is under when courses look doubtful with only weeks to go. Fortunately I have so far been able to get away without cancellation fees, but?? The answer to the problem lies with the membership. BOOK EARLY and encourage others to do so, not just within your branch but all the local branches. I have known SDC's go from 2 people signed up to oversubscribed within the week before it was due to run. This is not on but who's fault is it if the course is cancelled?
I suspect that many of the problems are not directly BSAC ones but come from the same place as BSAC's main strength- the Branch. Some of these are no doubt from the barrack room lawyers in clubs or else "long standing members" who are not prepared to move with the times (eg SALT) and have invented their own rules and qualifications over and above BSAC. To all I say wake up to what BSAC is a welcoming organisation, make sure your club is fit to be part of it. Get out in to the wider BSAC or invite the wider BSAC in, you might be surprised.
Having said my piece, I have two hopes, firstly that the whingers curtail their efforts and more importantly bove, but more importantly I hope that more of the silent majority will follow my lead and show their head above the parapet and help turn these forums into positive developmental tools.
Iain
AD/AI
DO EllonSAC 1193
Reading many posts I am left thinking that there are a number of schizophrenics making them. For those of you who are actually in membership YOU ARE BSAC so don?t go saying "BSAC get your act together". For those of you who are making criticism or helping to fuel it from out with the current membership quite frankly, personally, I couldn't care less about your views and I don?t like paying for you to shoot MY organisation down in flames. Whilst accepting that there will always be room for improvement BSAC is an excellent organisation which allows everyone to have their say - perhaps currently to our overall detriment !
I would also make the following personal observations
As someone who struggled for some years to complete AD on SDC's due to lack of courses running within easy travelling distance -150 miles - I still believe that a great deal more was gained by having to do the courses out with my branch than would have been within it. Closed in Branch training can become very incestuous and often creates or perpetuates myths and half truths which are be quickly exploded when exposed to input from outsiders through the Regional Coaching schemes. Similar applies with ITS courses. Rather than arguing to do courses in house get your members to go out for them and gain experience from others, you'll be surprised what you/they will learn?... Or is that what you are afraid of?
Many supposed problems are not directly BSAC ones but come from the same place as BSAC's main strength- the Branch. Some of these emanate from the barrack room lawyers in clubs or else "long standing members" who are not prepared to move with the times (eg SALT) or have invented their own rules and qualifications over and above BSAC.
Having made my feelings known within the Region, and eventually achieved the qualifications, I was encouraged to get involved on the other side of the fence, something which I have since been heavily committed to (in addition to my Branch efforts) in order to try and improve the situation for others following in my footsteps. Strangely enough this has also had a major positive effect on my own Branch as my members meet, train and dive with members from other clubs.
It will no doubt never have been considered by the whingers that those organising courses (SDC or ITS) suffer the same frustration as would be participants but from the other side. It is however worse than this- ever considered the costs for an IFC? Facilities alone can be approaching ?500 and can be VERY hard to get hold of, even when booked months in advance. Imagine the pressure the LO is under when courses look doubtful with only weeks to go. Fortunately I have so far been able to get away without cancellation fees, but?? The answer to the problem lies with the membership. BOOK EARLY and encourage others to do so, not just within your branch but all the local branches. I have known SDC's go from 2 people signed up to oversubscribed within the week before it was due to run. This is not on but who's fault is it if the course is cancelled?
I suspect that many of the problems are not directly BSAC ones but come from the same place as BSAC's main strength- the Branch. Some of these are no doubt from the barrack room lawyers in clubs or else "long standing members" who are not prepared to move with the times (eg SALT) and have invented their own rules and qualifications over and above BSAC. To all I say wake up to what BSAC is a welcoming organisation, make sure your club is fit to be part of it. Get out in to the wider BSAC or invite the wider BSAC in, you might be surprised.
Having said my piece, I have two hopes, firstly that the whingers curtail their efforts and more importantly bove, but more importantly I hope that more of the silent majority will follow my lead and show their head above the parapet and help turn these forums into positive developmental tools.
Iain
AD/AI
DO EllonSAC 1193