COMMENT
What are WE Going to do?
Following my appointment as Senior Officer, a member asked me ‘what are you going to do for us?’ This is a good opportunity to answer that question!
Our volunteer committees have many ideas to improve member services and the effectiveness of the MCofS in promoting mountaineers’ interests. Many of these ideas need someone to take responsibility and get the job done, and that is a big part of my job.
My first priority is to improve communications with members. Affiliated clubs are the backbone of the MCofS, and we must communicate with clubs better. We are introducing the Club Forum this autumn. There will soon be regular email updates to club secretaries, and a new website will follow early in 2007 (or before if we can do it). Providing up to date information is essential and the new website will help to achieve this.
I will also be working to promote mountaineers’ interests by improving the relationship between the MCofS and other organisations, and its ability to lobby on relevant issues. We have to improve our public profile, so effective PR is also important.
I am also looking at increasing benefits for members. There is a whole range of possibilities here, but these must meet member’s needs, and be relevant.
There’s no shortage of ideas – just resources. But we know the resources – potential volunteers – are out there. We just need to convince you to get involved.
Take the example of the working group looking at the Articles of Association. The volunteer group has put in a tremendous amount of work to tackle an important subject. Their work enabled a wide range of member views to be considered. It would have cost the MCofS a lot of money if we had employed consultants. Instead we will have a cost-effective, focused, quality result which meets the needs of the membership and the Council.
We are fortunate in having determined and dedicated volunteer members and thanks to them, the MCofS is what it is today. Volunteering for the MCofS isn’t like being at work. It’s a lot more fun and you will contribute to something you believe in. Your experience will be invaluable and your skills challenged.
We can achieve so much more with your support. To speed up progress we need volunteers experienced in PR, writing grant applications, website development, fundraising, getting sponsorship, database development, sales and marketing and more. You can work from home, at the Perth office and with our committees.
Let me know if you are interested. Or come to a Club Forum and talk with us there - you can find more about Club Forums in the Executive News section.
Don’t leave it up to everyone else. Ring me now.
David Gibson
Tel: 01738 493947