Page 16 - Out Birding Spring 2023

View from the Chair
Gree􏰀ngs to everyone in what is my second term as Chair of this great club. Some might say I am a bit like a bad penny that keeps turn- ing up. When you read this, I will be aboard a cruise liner working as a lecturer / ornithologist guide. This is all part of my re􏰀rement plan, which is something of a bucket list to see some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife. One of those species is the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, and its phenomenal display flight. Hopefully, I will have more to say about this trip.
I have taken over this role from Mike Pollard
who I must congratulate for the way he has
organised commi􏰁ee mee􏰀ngs to make them more produc􏰀ve, and steered us through a difficult period during the Covid pandemic. Also standing down from the commi􏰁ee is John Hudson who has fulfilled several roles since we first formed a commi􏰁ee in the 1990s: Chair, Treasurer, Membership
Secretary . We owe both of them a debt of gra􏰀tude for all their hard work. This also means there are two vacancies on the commi􏰁ee as members without por􏰂olio. Please consider volunteering: the role does not need a huge amount of 􏰀me and will help the smooth running of the club.
We also have two vacancies for a Publicity Officer and for a Communica􏰀ons Officer. There is certainly more that we can do to promote the club and reach out to poten􏰀al members. One thing we o􏰃en are asked for is photographs of people during events to include in ar􏰀cles. Please could you consider supplying images for Out Birding that show members enjoying their birding during events, but it is essen􏰀al that you obtain their permission in wri􏰀ng for their image to be used in Out Birding and poten􏰀ally for publicising the club.
There are many things I am keen for us to do in the club now. The main thing is to modernise our membership experience, making it easier for us to keep our members’ records secure and up to date. I am also keen to ensure we have a good understanding of how we communicate with our members.
Very best wishes, as always. Andy
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