Barry Atkinson, now Chairman but then writing as Secretary in the January Newsletter raises under this title, several interesting and important issues for the consideration of WCS members. Although perhaps all these issues are inter-related, probably the most important is his last - that concerning the extent and involvement of its membership.
The level of involvement of the members in the work of the WCS is already comparatively high - in voluntary organisations generally, the number of active members rarely exceeds about 10% of the nominal membership, whilst some 25% of WCS members play an active role, whether on or off the committee.
Unfortunately, the relatively high level of active members in the WCS also reflects the disappointingly low level of its membership as a proportion of the town’s population. The present level of some 80 members represents a very small fraction of the potential resident membership: ‘resident’ because the pool of potential members should also include ‘second-home owners’ – ‘regular visitors’ and the vast number of ‘Whitby aficionados’ world-wide.
This is Barry’s most important point because it is only from a strong membership base that some of his other aspirations for the WCS can be realized – for example a strong, clear profile, joint working with other local organisations, linking with elected members etc.
Therefore attracting, interesting, involving and retaining an increasing membership - local, regional, national, international, individual, family and corporate; senior and junior; annual and for life should be an integral part of all its activities and publicity.
Also, perhaps it would be useful to encourage Barry to expand, in future Newsletters, upon some of the other points he raised for example ‘what the WCS should not do (4) and its role as a ‘bridge or forum’ (6).
Parry Thornton
WHITBY CIVIC SOCIETY - Where do we go from here?
(A view from the sidelines by Doreen Wort. September 2007)
A. Observation
The number of people in the Society is not as great as one might expect from the size of the town. How can we increase the interest in what we do?
I believe that more people would wish to join the Society if they felt that their opinions had a chance of being heard - the local interest shown recently about the proposed changes to the Marina and the hospital indicate that there is plenty of concern about planning issues in the town
The monthly talks and occasional outings were started as a way to offer something of interest to members of the Society but are not, and should not be, the main reason for its existence even if combined with various vaguely altruistic activities. Many other organisations offer similar events but the Civic Society has a more important role in being involved with planning issues to do with the conservation and development of the town. If letters and comments are sent in the name of the 'Whitby Civic Society' more members should be given the opportunity to express their opinions and kept up to date on actions undertaken on their behalf.
What could be done to address this? I suggest:-
a) At least tell the members what action the committee have already taken on planning issues by
i) announcement at the monthly meetings and/or by directing them to the noticeboard;
ii) giving the information on the website regularly;
iii) giving a list of planning actions taken during the preceding few months in the newsletter.
b) Consult the membership whenever possible before any action is taken by
i) giving them a list of subjects under consideration;
ii) giving members the opportunity to sign pro or anti the committe's proposed action on planning issues;
iii) by holding a special meeting of the whole society for detailed discussion of important issues if time allows.
c) Have a 'suggestions book' for people to enter subjects of concern to them for consideration of action by the committee. These people should be approached individually about their concerns and informed of the actions taken by the committee or the reasons for inaction.
d) Members who have given an e-mail address should be contacted on a regular basis and their comments invited.
I realise that it is much easier to make decisions if just one or two people decide on the action to be taken but is this what present or future members want? Perhaps it is.
If the present membership talk to their friends about their satisfaction with the way the Society is run perhaps more members might join.
B. Observation
Members of the committee are sometimes overstretched and there is generally too little involvement by the membership.
Action proposed: greater use should be made of the membership forms filled in where people signed up to say in what ways they were prepared to help. What happened to these forms? (I signed up to help with refreshments but have never been approached .)
The forms should be looked at again and lists of those willing to help given to the relevant organisers eg. beach cleaners, refreshments, delivery of letters, attending meetings,Well House supervision etc.
Involving more people should relieve the burden on the executive committee and increase the interest in the membership.
Thanks Barry and Doreen for these contributions. We would welcome others to join in this debate either with a fresh contribution or a comment on the first two writers. I think that several of Doreen's ideas should be taken up. I have often felt that we should publish a precis of the monthly minutes on the website. Apart from keeping the members informed it would show the part that the society is taking in the life of the town and all the work which the committee members do which the non-committee members do not realise.
Presidents Thoughts
Membership. In some towns the Civic Society is the only society which takes an interest in our objectives. Here in Whitby we are fortunate that there are several societies whose interest overlaps with our own such as the Lit & Phil, which should be more properly called the Whitby Historical Society,the Whitby Naturalist Society which also takes a great interest in history and the Whitby Archives which looks to preserve the history and life of the 19th and 20th century and the Whitby Town Council.
It is a well known fact that most societies rely on a minority of the population who belong to many societies while the majority do not belong to any society. This is certainly the case in Whitby so our membership overlaps with all these other societies. This can be an advantage if we can use our common membership to get all these bodies to unite with us on vital issues.
We should ask ourselves what motivates people to join a society like ours. The consistent lectures doubled our membership but, as Doreen said, it should not be seen as the main purpose of the society. I like the suggestions which Doreen has made about informing and involving the members in our work. I think that the web site and the magazine should be more involved in this both for information and for obtaining members opinions favourable or unfavourable. It is a noteworthy fact that the Civic Society must accept everyone as a member who is willing to pay their membership. People who join may express ideas which most of us might not agree with but as a democratic society we have to accept this and discuss things in a civil way.
As Doreen also mentions, issues which gain peoples involvement such as the Marina development and the hospital show that a large number of people can show their interest in doing things to challenge local authority when the need arises.
Parry says that our membership is too low but what is a reasonable target for our membership? We ought to study how other societies fare in getting what proportion of their towns as members.Whitby Naturalists used to consider around 400 as a maximum viable membership but taken as a percentage 400 is quite small for Whitby as a whole. Our impact as a civic society will be recognised by the way we behave in seeing potential problems and reacting in a positive way to them more than by a head count.
I would like to make a suggestion to add to those given by Doreen. Why don't we have meetings for special groups such as new residents or hoteliers or business people to help them and get their ideas?
If you have a good idea then let us know. We would welcome other ideas on this subject and on matters to do with Whitby.
"mailto:michael_dawson3@yahoo.com"
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