Page 60 - Simply Veg 3.21

Midland Branch
MEMBERS 10000 TO 19999
Midlands Branch Chair’s Report
There’s an episode of West Wing where the new guy is tested to see whether he will take the difficult decision to tell the president some really bad news or just leave it to someone else. The new guy plucks up the courage and passes the test.
I see our members as the ultimate power holders within the NVS and the committee as the facilitators, here to deliver what the members vote for.
At the time of writing, I’ve been the chair for about four months and in that time I’ve seen some extraordinary commitment and effort by members of the Midlands Branch committee. That said, I’m the third chair
in a year and we’ve also had a number of other changes on the committee this year. Unfortunately these things do happen from time to time and our pool of volunteers is getting much too small for comfort. Clearly we have an issue here and this is the troubling news I need to give to you. We are running out of people to comfortably run the branch and next year, the Midlands Branch will be hosting the National Championships.
To be able to run the branch this year and move on to the nationals next year, we must have more people to come forward, join the committee and help. I know it’s so easy to read this and leave it to someone else to actually stand up and help but unfortunately we are now in a position where that’s simply not good enough – if everyone did that, the branch would be
at serious risk of failing. I do not think I’m over-exaggerating the situation -I’m merely the bearer of difficult news. The branch needs you to come forward and share in the running of it.
I believe that over the coming months, we need to work on building a robust branch committee with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, documented so we can recruit effective members for the roles. Not just recruiting for the actual roles but also a second or assistant for each key role. As a branch we are fortunate enough to have a serious number of highly experienced and respected members, many of whom are in their 80s and this
is true for the committee too. We must face reality and plan for the day they step
down. In this society our age profile is high but there are plenty of younger members who could give us the assistance we need. If you have experience or skills which could help us then please help
us overcome the challenges we face
and ensure the success of the Midlands Branch. As well as people who are keen and willing to help, we need people
who have specific skills; book keepers, administrators, secretarial organisers
and planners and those who are good at fund raising. We have 4 or 5 meetings a year in the region, the location of which
is normally flexible. The meetings are a couple of hours plus travel time and on top of this, and depending on the role, it’s a few hours a month.
So that’s the truth as I see it, we need some fresh blood with fresh ideas and energy to ensure the branch’s continued success. There are two options - ignore this plea and risk losing what we have built or, come forward at our AGM this month and help us grow.
All the Best
Jake Sale, Chair, Midlands Branch
From the Secretary
By the time you read this, restrictions will have hopefully been lifted and we will soon be holding our face to face AGM and our new committee will be near election. Details of the outcome will be in the next edition of SV and on the website after the 24th July.
The Malvern Autumn Show committee has confirmed that the event will be taking place this year from 24th - 26th September. This means we will be able to hold the Branch Championships this year. Government guidelines will be in place as detailed at the time. This will be a 3-day event as opposed to the previous 2-day event so exhibits will have
to be staged on the Thursday afternoon/Friday morning early hours, as judging will take place on the Friday morning.
If you have not received a schedule but would like one, please let me know and I will arrange for one to be sent to you.
Take care, continue to stay safe.
June Davies, FNVS, june.davies03@btinternet.com, 01531 822750 / 07474877627
STOP PRESS
MIDLANDS
BRANCH AGM –
NEW DATE
Due to the need to comply with society rules and mitigate potential changes to COVID regulations, the committee has had to postpone
the much anticipated AGM. The
new date is SATURDAY 24th JULY 2021 and will take place at Newent Memorial Hall, Gloucestershire, GL18 1PS at 2.00 pm. There is no talk following the meeting this year.
Agenda and information for nominations can be found in the Spring edition of Simply Veg in
the Midlands Branch section but nominations should now be with June Davies by Wednesday 14th July.
I apologise for the changes but I
am sure you understand our need to protect the society and its members to our best capacity.
I look forward to meeting many of you there.
Jake Sale
Midlands Branch Chair
West Midlands DA
As everyone will appreciate, we had to cancel our May meeting at Fairfield Village Hall due to the restrictions at the time because of this deadly disease. I hope our members are still growing their veg and keeping safe.
We are arranging to have a stand at Ribbesford near Bewdley garden centre at their open day the end of June, where hopefully we can attract new members. We are also having a stand at Gardeners World live at the NEC from the 26-29th
of August. Unfortunately, it looks like our August meeting and mini veg show has to
be cancelled but hopefully we will be back for a meeting at Fairfield the last Thursday in November.
Meanwhile my veg plot is filling up fast, the Elephant Garlic is growing very large along with my 38 varieties of pepper plants, one
of which started flowering on the 16th April. So we will continue to plan for a display at the NEC and hope people will come and visit our stand, either to sign up as members, buy plants and seeds or just ask for advice,
Graham Brickstock, Chairman 01527 837867
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