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Flick

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Posts posted by Flick

  1. Well, let me be one who says thank you to you and the other members of the committee who have taken the time to read and respond to this thread. Sure, I have criticised some things myself but I have tried to balance this with suggestions and have also offered assistance, should it be wanted. I do not feel that I can offer enough time to be provide the commitment required to be a committee member, as I am the type of person who likes to do things with full commitment or not at all. However, this does not mean that I can't help in other ways.

    We need the committee members in this thread to listen to members suggestions and drive changes through. Without this we will be back to 'square one', which would be a great shame.

    :sweat:

    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

  2. Dennis and other committee members, I would like to ask you to not abandon this thread. There are many suggestions being made by a number of CPS members and I fear that they will not be so keen on sending emails. Plus it is always best to 'bounce' ideas around several people, which the main purpose of a forum. Please don't let one person de-rail the whole process of debate for the rest of us.

    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

  3. Vic, I totally agree about what you say,the membership should tell the elected what to do.

    But they are elected by the membership to do the best for the society as they see it at the time.They can't write or e-mail every body with every tiny little detail can they?

    Phil has invited you to the AGM Personally as his guest.

    If i was you and said what you have,i would be there come hell or high water,to defend what i had said and prove myself right in front of those who can be bothered to turn up for the AGM.If you feel so strongly about the CPS i'm sure your friends would understand your cancelling at the last minute.

    All the issues you have raised could be sorted out then instead of simmering on for another year.

    I don't have all the info you claim to have,but take Phils offer/challenge up and lets get this sorted and finished and move on.

    ada.

    Thanks to you ada for talking sense and being impartial.

    Flick

  4. First step would be to open nominations I assume.

    As Phil says, discussing voting is a bit pointless if there's nobody to vote for.

    But if you can get two people per post, and they submit statements, then it's progress I suppose.

    I design the papers for a few NHS elections each year. An example is here: Example statements

    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

  5. Agreed, Flick - it is a start. :sun_bespectacled:

    And the straw poll doesn't exclude anywhere near as many CPS members as the AGM.

    Where a few tens of members represent the views of several hundred, with an open show of hands in a mass vote for the Committee.

    Perhaps the CPS website should have an advert for the straw poll, and an email-shot to members?

    Sadly, not enough time for a snail-mail shot, unless the AGM date can be changed. (Not very likely, of course).

    Vic

    P.S.

    My comments are entirely valid, Flick. Perhaps they're hitting a sensitive point?

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

    Flick

  6. Can we all please bear in mind that while this poll is democratic in some sense of the word, it's not necccesarily representative of feeling in the CPS membership because members and non-members alike can take part.

    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

  7. Presumably there is nothing to stop people from standing against them, so if there are any CPS members who think they can do better then perhaps they should give it a go. Things won't change if people are not interested in changing them.

    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

  8. I passed administrator privilege to Dennis, and explained to him how to add and update members on the Website. On request, I also added another Committee member as administrator.

    You left us in the lurch as we had no time to find and appoint a new Internet Officer before you left.

    I hope this "Still Present Treasurer, CPS" label you've started using doesn't mean you're thinking of melodramatically tying yourself to the railway tracks and blackmailing the membership with something like a "If Steve and Paul go, I go too" ultimatum?

    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.

    The expression you once used to me, when we were trying to get the Chairman and de facto Vice-Chairman to respond to a previous crisis for the Society (over Rick Bailey and Alan Haines), was "Steve and Paul are bomb-proof".

    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

  9. I'm told I did a good job as Internet Officer yes.

    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.

    Better that the Chairman and de facto Vice-Chairman posts (and the associated Trustee positions) remain vacant.

    Given the chance, do you think that anyone else would stand for these position

    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.

    Well of course the conservation funding was for an organisation in the Republic of Ireland but that's close enough geographically, if not politically

    I did realise - but still in Ireland:-) I too would love to visit Ireland - North and South.

    Flick

    Still present Treasurer, CPS

  10. 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

  11. Hi Flick,

    What about Northern Ireland? I do not know of very many growers here, but there could well be more than I think. I don't know about the others, but I don't have the time and money to be flying back and forth to go to meetings. How could we be included in that case? Even for my family and I to go to England for the EEE, it requires a lot of planning and expense.

    It can be very annoying when NI is left out of everything that goes on. Not that it is anyone's fault, but we are a little...separated from the rest of the UK, which is inconvenient.

    Thanks for your time and the extensive replies you have been giving in this thread :smile:

    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

  12. Flick,

    There are several comments about the state of the CPS website in this thread and think that it is safe to say that members are typically not satisfied with it. Could I ask you to pass these views to the committee?

    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?

    I'm glad to see that there are a few out there that can offer some constructive criticism and then their help to put things right rather than just point out faults. Unfortunately I have absolutely no expertise to offer but thanks again to all who give up their free time for mine and everyone else's benifit.

    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.

    Vic, rather than continually going over the same things time and time again how about just letting it go?! Maybe it's time to accept that as you're not a member the committee is under no obligation to answer any of your accusations and despite certain people not coming to the society's defence this in no way infers guilt.

    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!

    Go well, and the best of British with the EEE.

    Does that mean you are not coming to the EEE Vic?

    Flick

    Present Treasurer CPS

  13. Flick, with all due respect, I an willing to offer assistance but as a CPS member, not a committee member. If it is a requirement to be a committee member in order to contribute then I suspect that this will put people off.

    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

  14. I will put my money where my mouth is ......................... I hereby volunteer that any help on the website or Graphic design that I can give i will. I also propose that if allowed there become a West of Egland and Wales CPS group. Where we can just discuss and then maybe send someone to the AGM in the future. Blimey if the Womens Institute has over half a million members then I am sure that locally we can drum up interest. I mean this hobby of ours has to be better than Dame Vera Lynn banging on about Dover!

    ALso just a little thing - Why not have the AGM at Chester? Lots of us will be there - it can be held on that boat or a nice pub and it removes the stuffiness. Surrey is 200 miles from me!!!! Since we are in the majority going to Chester then......... something about Mohammed and the mountain springs to mind here!

    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

  15. I

    could help with this. If you give me some access I could even help with updating some of the content for you, if needed. Although I have a website and am familiar with coding, I am not that familiar with databases, which would be required for automatic renewal notifications and a possible online seedbank request form, but I know that there are members of this forum with such expertise.

    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

  16. It is well within the scope of a web developer to add renewal date information to eMembers details on the website and send out notifications to the registered email address.

    Here's hoping there will soon be some volunteer help coming forward.......

    And, why can't I request seeds via the website - again this is quite a basic thing to implement.

    Have you asked me or the Seedbank Manager Sheila? If you are unable or unwilling to send your seed request by post - ask. I take payments by PayPal when Sheila has previously been contacted regarding seed requests - not a problem.

    Incidently, the seedbank is running normally whilst Sheila recovers.

    I live 582 miles from where the AGM is being held. Are you going to hold it further north, or even a central location, in future years so that member who live north do not have to travel so far?

    I will take that as a formal request to the committee meeting before the AGM.

    Can you help the Society personally? Could you perhaps agree to monitor the web site and advise us of issues on a regular basis? That would be helpful. The web site is beyond my personal expertise.

    Do other members feel that we should pay for our website?

    Personally, I am sure there are members who could devote the time and expertise to assist. Good thing - it doesn't matter where you are geographically, anyone can still volunteer to help with the website and get involved.

    Flick

    Present Treasurer of the CPS

  17. First things first the financial allegations made by Vic2 are serious.

    Vic's allegations are blatently untrue.

    The CPS books are ALWAYS available at the AGM. The balance sheet is reported in the Treasurer's report and is therefore available in the newsletters and on the web site. The full accounts are available from me anytime - just ask. If a member requests that I bring the books to a meeting - no problem. If a member asks a question or needs clarification - no problem. It has been like that since I have been Treasurer.

    Where are the e-mails asking what any of us could contribute? Its a simple thing but by getting more involved it removes the "them and us" atmosphere which is what this whole thread is feeding on.

    We ALWAYS need volunteers. All of us are just that - amateur volunteers who give up our time for the CPS. We need more committee members, we need more people to get involved rather than stand back and criticise. The more of us there are to do the work, the easier it is. We have had committee members from all parts of the British Isles - from Scotland to Devon, from Wales and the East - not a problem where you live - volunteer and we will be very glad of your assistance.

    The Website: We are aware that the website requires updating and Darren is working on this. Up to now we have depended on such web expertise as can be provided free by volunteers - some of whom have left at short notice. Contact Darren if you could help. We could of course spend a few thousand getting a professional to do it for us.

    Come on then - please contact us if you can help Darren.

    I hear on the grapevine - not from them, incidentally - that Andy and the mods have been taking a severe earbashing in private for CPUK's fair-minded support of free speech.

    Another of Vic's untruths. Some committee members (two, including me, that I know of) asked for the thread to be moved to allow free speech and to move this discussion away from the peat consultation thread as the postings were detracting from that important issue.

    Just for the record I do not believe or agree with anything Vic says.

    Andy

    For the record - neither do I.

    But I do remember the enormous value the CPS has added to CP interests over many years and appreciate what they still do for a very modest subscription.

    I am not interested in comments from people who are expressing very personal and sometimes obviously plain nasty opinions - and such people are usually those who find it difficult to work with others on a committee, but blame others.

    Well said and thank you.

    I can never make the AGM, as I supsect is the case for many others, so it's hard to have a voice

    I will happily present views of members who cannot personally attend and ask questions on their behalf - just ask me.

    Lastly, all committee posts are ALWAYS up for renewal at the AGM. If anyone fancies being on the committee, I will be happy to help - there are posts that will need filling.

    Flick

    Present Treasurer of the CPS

  18. Agreed, mobile :biggrin:

    I hope that Andy will allow the Society to start a new thread, as it would be nice to confirm that I have always been open, truthful and honest, and my good name has never been in doubt.

    Vic

    I am also glad that Andy has moved this thread away from the Defra use of peat consultation, so that I can comment publically - without restraint - in spite of the fear of further poison and threats (veiled or otherwise) that will surely be heaped on the CPS and me from you.

    For those of you who do not know, I am the CPS Treasurer and also one of the four Trustees. Your personal treatment of me, (in your short time as a committee member) was as far from open, truthful and honest as it can get. You would swing from praise to critiscism depending on what suited you at the time. You still do that. You are clever - I grant you that - and you have a fantastic way with words - you were also a good internet officer - although briefly. But you were, and are, manipulative, selective and tireless in your compaign against the CPS Committee and I felt personally bullied by you.

    We are damned if we answer you and damned if we don't. We have tried answering you collectively as a committee and also individually. Whatever any of us says or does, you twist it.......turn it.........spit it back. It is very easy to spit venom on a public forum, you are not personally within reach. If any of us dare to critiscise you in return - you threaten us with libel. I will happily face you and tell you what I think of you, but only in front of witnesses so you cannot misunderstand, misconstrue or misuse what I say.

    I am saddened that I will now face a barage from you and I have been drawn into your game. I enjoy my role in the CPS and I take it very seriously. I carry out my duties to the best of my ability - we all do that. This hobby is fun, informative and constructive. I just cannot keep my feelings to my self any longer.

    Flick

  19. Hi All

    Any of you who know Sheila will know that she has been suffering for some time.

    Sheila has had her lung transplant yesterday. I have spoken to her husband today and all went well, the next 24 hours are maybe the hardest.

    I am sure we all wish Sheila a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with her husband and family.

    Flick

    Treasurer CPS

  20. I'll do a blue version tonight. Do you have a vector version you could email me Tim?

    I'm going to take this opportunity to give myself a plug though! :happy:

    If anybody ever needs any design or print, as an individual or for work, please drop me a line:

    sig.gif

    Hi Alexis

    Wow, I like your colour variations. I am not keen on the sun, makes the logo look crowded. BUT, I love the purple version. I also like the original red background - very bold - but with your graphics. You fancy working with us to design the CPS publications :smile:

    Cheers,

    Flick, CPS Treasurer

  21. That's interesting Flick. This person admitted to me that they weren't a member. I wonder if they know that they are a member. It doesn't really bother me to be honest. There are a lot of people on this forum who aren't members.

    Perhaps you could tell them they are a member! This forum is separate from the CPS, run by Andy so membership of either does not depend on the other.........if that makes any sense. Flick

  22. Phil, I've been a member continuously for years. I didn't mean that the new members pack, I meant the pack with the newsletter in.

    I know someone on the committee who isn't a member at this moment but I'm not saying anything.

    It was funny a few years ago because there was a business address in the centre of Cambridge called Three Crowns House. It used to hold the County Court. Anyway, there was a business in there called CPS which actually stood for Cambridge Positioning Systems. It could have been easily mixed up with the Crown Prosecution Service, being in the magistrates court building. Another almost useless fact.

    Hi David, not sure what you mean about a committee member not being a member of the CPS. All committee members get automatic free membership of the CPS as long as they remain a serving committee member. It is, I guess, a kind of small thank you for being on the committee. So, I don't think what you are suggesting is actually technically possible?

    Flick

    Treasurer, CPS

  23. Roll on July 2011, will be nice to know who's who :) Well I reckon you'll all recognise me fairly easily - probably wont be too many women there!!! Hopefully a few though...

    Hopefully I will be there too! This has been a long time in the planning, but it should be so worth the wait :laugh:

    Flick, Treasurer CPS (AKA The Money Monster)

  24. Hi all,

    today i would like to give you a short update about the work. The layouting is almost finished, we are only missing some plant identities. If nothing unexpected happens, i hope to send the file in about three weeks to the printing company. So we will be in time for the ICPS-Conference in August. The book will be a hardover of 206 pages, fully color in the format 21cm x 21cm. The price will be most likely (in case there are no more changes) 35€ + shipping (most likely 5€ for the EU).

    I have just written a Mail/PM to anyone who expressed their interest. If i forgot someone, please let me know!

    If you are interested in the book, please let me know until the end of next week! Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

    Christian

    Hi Christian

    I have emailed you privately, but in case you didn't get it, please put me down for a copy and let me know.

    Thanks, Flick

  25. I had a rather attractive publication drop on to my doormat yesterday: "A Guide to Growing Carnivorous Plants" printed by the CPS and completely unexpected. 70 pages covering all of the major genus of CPs.

    I also got an original "Meat Eating Plants" printed in 1982.

    Big, plesant, surprize! I thought the new magazine was going to be called "Planta Carnivora"?

    The publication - A Guide to Growing Carnivorous Plants - which was sent to all CPS members, is not the new magazine, but is exactly what it says - A Growing Guide, which has been published by the Carnivorous Plant Society. Glad it was a pleasant surprise!

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