I've tried to post this as a comment on the blog, but I'm having some trouble with that. Thanks to Frankie for reactivating my account so that I can post my response to the authors here.
I'm one of the three resigning directors, and I'm delighted to read such a positive take on how Club 1872 can move forward. Indeed, this is the kind of thing I think Club 1872 should be encouraging. I'd like to see articles like this in the blog section of the Club 1872 website. At the March board meeting, this was discussed - "Laura suggested that the blog section of the website be re-energised by making contact with people who’ve previously written blogs for Club 1872. This was agreed. Laura will contact these people, and email the wider membership to invite others to submit blog ideas." (from the board meeting summary). This would encourage wider discussions of members' ideas, thoughts, opinions, concerns, etc. and improve dialogue between the board and members.
I'm not sure why this wasn't taken forward by the remaining directors, but as you rightly point out, the focus now should be on rebuilding and not going over old ground. Joanne and I have offered to return and see out the remainder of the term. If members agree to this, we will pick up the blog task along with other plans that are very much in line with your thoughts on improving communication. The following ideas were already put forward and agreed prior to the resignations
* Monthly activity report (inc. details of board meeting summaries)
* Opportunities for members to meet and/or put questions to Stewart
* Formal structures laid out and implemented for the creation and management of working groups
A format for the monthly report was submitted by a member, and looked at by the board. All were in agreement that we should take that idea forward. In addition, Joanne had proposed to write a monthly summary of what each board member had been working on. Joanne and I have maintained communication with the member who wrote the monthly report format, and we are hoping for further engagement and support from him should we be re-elected.
Stewart Robertson was in agreement that he should have more contact with Club 1872 members. He's already committed to meeting with members, and to weekly meetings with the Club 1872 board. I like the idea that members could submit questions for him, but this would definitely require support in the form of sub-groups. Previously, managing correspondence from members submitting questions required several hours' (sometimes days') work. As you rightly point out, the workload is huge.
I believe that sub-groups will be the key to Club 1872's success. Again, this was discussed at the March board meeting. I agreed to work on a formal structure for sub-groups, with assistance from another director. I hope that some progress has been made on this front, but it's definitely something that will be a priority for Joanne and I should we be allowed to serve out our term. In February, Joanne and I started a skills audit, inviting members to contact us with details of how they could help the organisation. This got a great response, and Joanne and I were in the process of organising the responses to form functioning sub-groups. Again, this will immediately be picked up if we can re-engage.
I'd love to chat more with you about the ideas we share, and about some of your other ideas that I think require more thought. Joanne and I have been overwhelmed by the number of members who've contacted us and offered to provide practical support if we get back involved. This support, along with the plans outlined above, would allow many of our ideas, which you share, to be implemented.
We look forward to a response from the board on our offer to re-engage.
