Keith Lawrence(BSAC)
19-01-2004, 00:04
OK folks ? now?s your chance! See Phil & Lizzie?s letter in with Dive magazine, we?re holding a ballot to co-opt two new Council members, the last time this happened you ended up with me amongst others :-)
As Phil says in his letter this is about managing the business side of the club. That doesn?t just mean commercial, it?s about EVERY aspect of running a complex and diverse international entity. All Council members are Directors of BSAC Ltd and BSAC International Ltd, that label sums it up quite well ? as a Council member you are a board member and Council functions very much like a board of directors. You HAVE to get involved and take an interest in all kinds of things, somebody has to and that duty falls on the board.
So what skills do you need? It?s impossible to provide a list, all of Council contribute in their own way to the club. Many of us use our professional skills and knowledge, others bring their experience of different parts of the BSAC, others their sheer enthusiasm and organisational skills. Some of us bring a bit of everything, everybody works together as a team. That?s what we?re asking for, people to join that team and work with us. Council itself is extremely diverse, our members range from young SD?s through to retired ex chairman of the club. All of us contribute to the running of the club.
The main thing that you will need is some time, you need to devote some time to this to do the job properly, none of us are able to devote the time to it that we would like but that?s the reality of a volunteer organisation. I can?t give you an ?hours per week? figure, it comes and goes, sometimes nothing (much) for weeks, then sometimes every evening when something needs sorting out. The time around meetings (six per year normally) are always the busiest.
So what next? If you?re thinking about it and think that you can contribute then the chances are that you can, don?t be put off by thinking that?s it?s all official and only BSAC members of 20 years standing need apply ? that simply isn?t true. If you?ve got skills that you think would help the club then we?d love to hear from you. If you?ve got any questions then feel free to ask, either here or contact any of Council for an informal chat.
Keith L
As Phil says in his letter this is about managing the business side of the club. That doesn?t just mean commercial, it?s about EVERY aspect of running a complex and diverse international entity. All Council members are Directors of BSAC Ltd and BSAC International Ltd, that label sums it up quite well ? as a Council member you are a board member and Council functions very much like a board of directors. You HAVE to get involved and take an interest in all kinds of things, somebody has to and that duty falls on the board.
So what skills do you need? It?s impossible to provide a list, all of Council contribute in their own way to the club. Many of us use our professional skills and knowledge, others bring their experience of different parts of the BSAC, others their sheer enthusiasm and organisational skills. Some of us bring a bit of everything, everybody works together as a team. That?s what we?re asking for, people to join that team and work with us. Council itself is extremely diverse, our members range from young SD?s through to retired ex chairman of the club. All of us contribute to the running of the club.
The main thing that you will need is some time, you need to devote some time to this to do the job properly, none of us are able to devote the time to it that we would like but that?s the reality of a volunteer organisation. I can?t give you an ?hours per week? figure, it comes and goes, sometimes nothing (much) for weeks, then sometimes every evening when something needs sorting out. The time around meetings (six per year normally) are always the busiest.
So what next? If you?re thinking about it and think that you can contribute then the chances are that you can, don?t be put off by thinking that?s it?s all official and only BSAC members of 20 years standing need apply ? that simply isn?t true. If you?ve got skills that you think would help the club then we?d love to hear from you. If you?ve got any questions then feel free to ask, either here or contact any of Council for an informal chat.
Keith L