Melbourne Bird Sale 2012

[gouldianpaul]

Hi jnorris,

I hope the Committee members are reading this forum...we gave them a link in our letter so hopefully they are.

Maybe the penny might drop once they see how simple the solution is....as clearly as you described.

Cheers
Paul

[E Orix]

There are always two sides to a discussion and in this situation we are reading only one side.
Even with that in mind I would like to make some comments.

Before I do so years ago I was asked to take over the Presidency of a bird club. After I accepted the then Secretary come every position approached
me and said "Your task will be difficult because you can ask 12 people for help and 6 will let you down".
My reply was simple,at least I would then know that I had 6 people I could rely on.

Firstly on the surface I feel the committee of the day was responsible for the demise of the bird sale,not necessarily from lack of work or trying but
they didn't listen to the members and there promotion was poor.
While the actual location was great for me to access,the rest was poor in my opinion, hence the date became far less important.
If I read an earlier post correctly the current committee have said they will look into it (maybe there work load makes it less important)
This brings me back to my little paragraph,the initial work DOES NOT require the full committee to try and solve the situation.
All it needs is one or maybe two to represent the full committee on a SUB COMMITTEE and bring in members who are willing to sit on and contribute.
Let this group do the research,find the site and plan the promotion,it is then tabled for the full committees opinion and decision if it should be accepted.
Is it not a win win situation. Members get the chance for imput etc,but the committee is the big winner,their work load is lessened and if the members don't
offer their assistance then they must accept the committees decision and direction.
David Holmes

[garyh]

Totally agree,what a great peice of advice for the AAS to take on board,i hope they are now watching these posts on AFF and listening to what their members are saying.Great work from Mr Tino and Paul,you have made some good in roads,also i would like to note that i have looked through the last two years worth of AAS news letters a cannot find where they have asked for helpers once,i might have missed it or do they only ask at meetingswhich i do not attend every one,great peice of advice E.Orix,thanks garyh.

[MadOzzie]

One would hope that any committee that elected knows not only how to run a meeting but run a club.

People like to be asked to help but also ask that guenuine reasons why they cannot help be respected. This respect will be returned by members who will say "I can't help this time but please ask next time".

People like to be asked to help but do not respond very well to "blanket asks" like announcements at meetings or in newsletters. That is not asking for help but creating an environment in which people wil be asked individually.

I appreciate one of the difficulties with a sale is that some members will want to be free to sell and/or buy. However, what would happen to these selling and buying guys if the committee said we can not continue because we do not have any help?

E Orix suggests a sub committee is needed for finding a new venue. This leads me to wonder if successful clubs have a sale convenor and sub-committee. These are the guys who do the personal asking for help.

Also at the end of the sale appropriate thanks needs to be given (again not just a "thanks guys who helped. I dunno who you are but you know"). Maybe a club man/woman/person of the year award needs to be made with a few runners up with apprropriate trophies, certificates, etc.

I better stop going on.

MadOzzie

[gouldianpaul]

Hi All,

I received a letter from the Committee yesterday stating that they had discuss our concerns at the last committee meeting and would make enquiries regarding hiring and reserved events at the Melbourne Show grounds. They thanked Mr Tino and I for our concern.

If they provide any further correspondence I will post their reply on the forum.

Cheers
Paul

[TomDeGraaff]

A subcommitteeis ideal. It brings in new ideas, it forma;ises people's involvement and it spreads the workload. A subcommittee of two started the Melbourne bird sales. Then others came out of the woodwork to help on the day. Also, as a subcommittee, you can make informal approaches to others and to companies to help in specific areas. Good thinking everyone!!

[KENTUCKY]

If the Founding Members of the Avicultural Society of Australia would ever found out what has become to their beloved Club, they would not toss and turn in their Graves, they would be spinning in their Graves. wake up Commity Members, the Society needs you.

[E Orix]

I was the President of the Avic.Soc. in the early 80's and it was a vibrant society.Sadly over the years it has slipped into mediocrity and it would take a great
effort to turn it around.Mind you can't blame the current committee as they seem to have a hard road ahead BUT I think that they may need to sit down and
think about the possibilities of forming some subcommittees for various things.
Why these committees,it involves more members and in alot of situations creates enthuisiasm.It also give a broader opinion as there should
be more people contributing.
I do not know the current committee so I won't comment if they are good or bad,experienced or not,but I do hope they see fit to involves those that are willing to move the society forward.
David Holmes

[ColouredFeathers]

Well said David and Kentucky

[gouldianpaul]

HI All,

Some great ideas folks...my only suggestion would be for those Society members who feel strongly enough to post comments on AFF to put pen to paper and communicate your concerns to the Committee. To be fair to the Committee it is difficult for them to fully appreciate members concerns if people do not communicate with them.

Cheers
Paul