Flick

Thanks to you too for your backing. Believe me when I say that the committee are at the moment working very hard to resolve the issues that have been raised. We don't want or need conflict. Flick

Thanks. As a part of those being 'attacked' by the few, it is very hard to stay here and stay positive. I have been on the committee since 2001 ish and I have personally been on the receiving end of Vic's poison since he joined and left us. Not just what you have all seen here, but at home. The committee (me included) have tried to stay positive and professional and only critiscised when we can stand it no longer. No-one but us knows exactly what has gone on. We are damned if we answer and damned if we don't. I joined the committee and became a Trustee because I care. I still care, but I am getting tired with all this. I certainly hope to see those that have critiscised the most volunteer to be on the committee. They need not stand for a specific role if they feel they have no special skills - general committee member will do just fine and they will be very welcome. If the committee (whoever stands and is elected by whatever means is decided) are approved by the membership - can this stop please - once and for all? Flick Still present Treasurer, CPS

Thanks to you ada for talking sense and being impartial. Flick

Thanks Alexis, your examples for NHS are exactly the sort of thing we need. Thanks Phil for your time and for expressing exactly everything I have wanted to say and tried to write about the committee and elections in the last few weeks but couldn't get the wordings right. I absolutely agree about postal votes, it is absolutely the fairest way. Also an election should only need to be held if there more applications for posts than candidates. I was a Parish Councillor for 16 years and that is how we did it. If the candidates equalled or were less than the number of positions available - all were elected by default and then the sitting council invited applications from village people willing to be co-opted. I would also like to state that I was upset and offended by the suggestion that any of us would stoop so low as to rig a vote! What would be the point? I am Treasurer and Trustee, because I am a trustworthy person. We are talking about an amateur society with charitable status not a despotic regime. Flick Treasurer, CPS

Please don't make this personal yet again. I am stating the obvious and not trying to be negative or obstructive or personal. Flick

It also excludes all CPS members who are not members of this forum and all those who do not have access to the internet. But, it is a start and it doesn't need sniping comments from anyone. Flick

Absolutely!! All the committee posts are up for renewal at the AGM and there are vacancies. Those who put their names forward have as much chance as the existing committee. We need interested members of the CPS to come forward. Please. I have already said that you do not have to attend the AGM in person to apply for a post on the committee. Just write or email the committee beforehand. If I can help, just ask. Flick Still present Treasurer, CPS

You left us in the lurch as we had no time to find and appoint a new Internet Officer before you left. Don't make up stories on my behalf please Vic. My committee post is due for renewal or change at the AGM along with all the others. Don't take what I said out of context and twist it Vic. It is what you are so good at! What I meant was - Steve and Paul have a measured, calm response, whereas others (including you) are hot-headed and rush in. As I said then and I say now - there needs to be a balance. Balance is good, extreme is not. Flick Still present Treasurer, CPS

You did a good job whilst you were with us. You decided to leave and then cut short your original notice period which left us in the proverbial lurch. Not good. We don't actually have a Vice-Chairman (though perhaps we should). The Chairman's post is up for renewal at the AGM, as all posts are. There is no reason why any member cannot apply for the post, they would be voted in or out, same as the rest. As to leaving the Chairman's post and/or the Trustee positions vacant, I personally don't think that is a good idea. We need committee members and we currently have four Trustees - a good workable number. I did realise - but still in Ireland:-) I too would love to visit Ireland - North and South. Flick Still present Treasurer, CPS

The whole committee is up for re-election at the AGM. There are also vacancies and the opportunity to create new committee posts. ANY MEMBER of the CPS can stand for election. The reason the committee usually get re-elected 'en masse' is because there are no other proposals. If any CPS member is interested in standing for one of the currently filled positions - why not get a proposer and a seconder (shouldn't be too difficult among friends/colleagues from within the CPS community) and let the committee know by email or in writing? And/or why not come forward as a General Committee Member from a geographical area or as an Internet Officer/Assistant or a Marketing Committee Member? The possibilities are many. Just state what post you would be interested in, introduce yourself and say what you would like to bring to the committee. The proposals/emails/letters will be brought to the AGM and voted on. No problem. Flick Present Treasurer CPS

Hi James I apologise for not including Northern Ireland, my error. I am sure there are loads of growers and enthusiasts in Ireland. The CPS has given Conservation Funding, plants and personal assistance to the Peatland Conservation Council in Ireland. Yes, of course you would be welcome as a a Committee member from Ireland - why indeed not? When we had a committee member from Scotland, there was a proposal to help with the cost of attending meetings - maybe not every one, but at least one a year. As a rule, none of the committee charge for attending meetings etc, but when the need arises, we help. The fuel costs for the trips to organise the EEE in Chester for example were paid for - not a problem. Before this is taken the wrong way, I am not for one minute suggesting that the committee get all their exotic travel expenses paid! Legitimate costs to attend the AGM and represent a community of members sounds good to me. I hope that you join us. Flick Present Treasurer CPS

Absolutely. I will email all the committee and also bring it up at the meeting before the AGM. Regarding the prospect of holding the AGM further North, do any members have any ideas for suitable venues? So am I. If everyone just keeps on critiscising, makes me wonder if I want to carry on, what is the point? I could just turn up at meets and events and buy plants. Please don't say you have no expertise.........you enjoy carnivorous plants and want to help the Society, those are the only qualifications you need to volunteer. Most of us are in no way experts, we just do our best and give up our time. Some of us (not me) are clever though :-) We have vacancies for General Committee Members, why not put yourself forward? Talking of potential General Committee Members, how would it be if we got them from different parts of the country? That way more districts and members would be represented at meetings and the AGM? Please come forward if you would be interested. Well said!! Actually much better said than the words I was going to use. I have been thinking all day about how to express how I personally feel about Vic and his constant sniping. None of it could have been written here! Does that mean you are not coming to the EEE Vic? Flick Present Treasurer CPS

I appreciate that, offering assistance is one thing (and very welcome), however actually changing website content is another. Becoming a committee member is not hard. It just means that you offer some genuine committment and loyalty (not that I think you wouldn't if you just helped) but as a charity, we deal with money etc that isn't ours and look after members' interests. The amount of time that you wish to contribute can be variable. We, the committee, work as a team, and we all do our different roles according to the demands and the time we have available. The more members of a team we have, the less demand and stress there is on any one individual. You don't have to be Web Site Officer......you could be assistant.....in fact one of several assistants that pool their ideas and resources? I would hope that becoming a member of the committee wouldn't put people off. Some have joined us and left after a short time if they find it is not for them, no worries. Others have been around for a while. All have a part to play. Please email the committee and offer your services, I am sure you would be made very welcome. Flick Present Treasurer CPS

Thanks. Sounds good. Realistically, as I previously posted and I am sure you will understand, the only way you could have actual access is to become a committee member. Please send an email to the committee. The Meetings Organiser and the new Promotions Officer both live in or near Wales. If you have something to bring to the committees' attention, why not ask them? They could raise issues on your behalf. Or put it in writing? I am not sure how you get together a group - maybe ask for other members to come forward through this forum? Then you could send a delegate to the AGM? The date of the AGM has to be before the EEE in Chester, we couldn't leave it that long to hold it. No reason we can't have a discussion though - formal or informal....... Flick Present Treasurer of the CPS

I Thanks. Sounds good. Realistically, as I am sure you will understand, the only way you could have actual access is to become a committee member. Would that appeal to you? I am sure you could easily get a proposer and a seconder. Meantime, why not send an email to the committee suggesting you want to help Darren, our Web Site Officer? email: [email protected] The database was professionally built and updated. It is maintained by Dennis, our Membership Secretary, who also modifies it. As far as I am aware, he has been working on methods of renewal notifications. I am sure he will comment, if not, you could ask him that question. At the request of the committee, I have been looking into setting up Standing Orders and also Direct Debits to help solve the renewal issues. These matters will be discussed at the committee meeting before the AGM because there are serious personal implications for the trustees and disadvantages with both proposals. Regarding the seedbank requests being online, I personally do not have a problem with that. All PayPal payments are notified to me as Treasurer anyway. The final decision on that would rest with the Seedbank Manager and the Web Officer and of course the rest of the committee. Flick Present Treasurer, CPS