Page 11 - ALG Issue 1 2014 Digital Edition

International
Regroupement des fédérations européennes des jardins familiaux
Dear allotment gardeners
2013 was the European Year of the Citizen.
This year is dedicated to the rights that come with European citizenship and aimed to promote discussion of these rights, in order to build a vision of how the European Union should look in 2020. This situation will be very similar in Switzerland and Norway.
Christian SCHWÄGERL wrote in his article Mensch macht Natur (man makes nature): ‘Could gardens and urban agriculture characterise the new towns and an avalanche of problems be avoided......?’
We allotment gardeners should therefore, as citizens, and as members of a great European organisation with a social and environmental vocation, take part in the building of our children’s future.
Therefore, we have to reinforce our movement in order to increase its force of action and its visibility.
In this context we must certainly increase the number of our members, but that is
not sufficient; we also need, above all, committed and motivated members, ready to get actively involved in our associations and federations in order to prepare the future.
Our movement is only what we make of
it!
The education of our members is
essential; it must be continued so that all members adopt a gardening style that
is respectful of nature and so that new gardeners will not be overwhelmed by the complexities of their hobby. Courses, lectures, documents, educational material and all other means have to be used.
We must be flexible and update our rules in order to comply with the necessities of
Utrecht, the International Office will not only adopt a strategy for the future but, in order to be able to increase its influence,
our time and the requirements of society; this will enable our members to transform their potential into reality.
We have to apply the principles of
good governance in our associations and federations. Democracy, decision sharing and involvement of all are the principles that we have to put into practice.
The projects that we carry out must
be meaningful and useful to society; our activities for children, elderly people, disabled or migrants for example. Our activities for the safeguarding of biodiversity or honeybees have to make a difference. These projects must be solid, effective and sustainable.
Additionally we have to make our activities and innovative projects known
to society and politicians. We have to explain to them the value of our efforts and activities, the reasons why our gardens and activities benefit society.
Therefore, during its 2014 congress in
will continue to work in partnership with other organisations.
The Office has become a member of EUROPA NOSTRA,
a pan-European organisation working for the protection
of our cultural and natural heritage.
The Office and the federations are taking
part in scientific research that will study Allotment Gardens and their relevance for urban sustainable development.
http://www.urbanallotments.eu/action-in- detail/objectives-and-benefits.html
The Office is taking part in the Council of Europe’s campaign “Responding together” and has contributed case studies of social activities and community engagement carried out by allotment associations.
The year of 2014 has to become an exciting and dynamic year for all the allotment gardeners; let us take up the challenges.
2014 has to become an excellent year; however, this largely depends on us, on our real involvement.
2014 has to enable us to undertake important things - the higher we reach the more we can achieve.
I wish you and your families a Happy New Year in 2014 and good health. Let us always remember that if we join our efforts we can move mountains.
Malou WEIRICH
Secretary General
...establishing the value of the allotments in a scientific study
Meet the Staff
The National Allotment Society headquarters in Corby is being boosted by the addition of two new members of staff.
The additional staff members will tackle the enormous task of improving our database of existing member details. All Associations should provide members details as part of the conditions of being a member and we have been lax in obtaining this data. This is essential to enable the Society to provide up to date information and advice to members instantly. It is particularly important for the insurance aspect that names are attached in order to benefit.
We will be working on updating our records and encouraging members to provide email and text contacts. We are in the modern age with many individuals using both of these methods as forms of communication.
To encourage an eco-friendly environment we will produce more and more data sheets on our website for instant access as opposed to paper copies. Data protection is in force and no member details are provided to third parties. Details are strictly for the use of NSALG.
The new members of staff are Holly Clark and Sarah Green. Holly’s title is Administrator – Existing Membership and Sarah’s Administrator – Prospects and Marketing. They will be on hand to answer your call should you have an enquiry.
Holly has a First Class Honours Law Degree; however, she
Left to right: Sarah Green, Holly Clark, Liz McInally, Liz Bunting, Karen Maher
has opted to concentrate on Technical Administration, using her coordination, organisational and communication skills. She has excellent database information collation and entry experience and she has worked in Japan.
Sarah is an experienced administrator with very good skills in dealing with a variety of activities that will be very useful in NSALG. She has worked for a number of years in Europe.
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