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Members’ meeting called
for 22 February
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Dear <<First Name>>
A members’ meeting of the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal has been arranged for Monday 22 February to consult you all about choosing a new chairperson for the organisation.
It was called by the committee yesterday. The time proposed for the meeting, which will be via Zoom, is 11am but a poll will be taken to see whether a different time of day would be more suitable. The times available are 11am, 3pm and 7pm. You will receive a Doodle poll online to state your preference but you can also email your choice to the Secretary, Mick Green, and myself by using this link.
The date, 22 February, is fixed so there will be time to organise a smooth handover.
I shall be standing down as chair on 30 April as explained in the previous Newsletter. I am sad to be leaving the role but it is the right time for someone new to take over.
Who will take the chair?
Obviously I’m writing now to the converted. We all share a vision for the future of the canal and the revival of a working maritime heritage for Exeter as a Heritage Harbour. So the first question is: could you consider flying the flag as chair of the Friends?
I understand fully the instant answer, ‘I believe in it but the job is not for me for a variety of reasons.’
So here are some other thoughts.
• I promise a smooth and fully-guided transition for the projects currently on the go, including all the main contacts the Friends have built up.
• It shall be laid down at the start that the chair is not expected to do everything her/himself but to delegate fairly among volunteers within the committee and more widely among the Friends.
• There couldn’t be a more exciting or opportune time to be looking forward, from our upcoming use of Topsham Lock Cottage to a ‘new mood’ in the canal management that wants to see more boats and activity on the water and historic boat conservation and boat building around the basin.
This is the job description:
– Act as the key ambassador for the Friends with local authorities and other bodies.
– Liaise with organisations that the Friends is affiliated to.
– Initiate, oversee implementation, and monitor progress of Friends’ activities and campaigns.
– Chair committee and members’ meetings.
– Review proposed agendas and draft minutes of committee and members’ meetings.
– Find suitable candidates to fill vacancies on the committee when they arise.
– Manage the insurance requirements of the Friends.
But people will ask, what does it really involve? The answer is simply this. Believe in the vision of bringing the canal back to life. Listen to everybody and seek advice. Reject all the various ways people wrap up the answer, ‘No’. Everything else follows from this.
If you are tempted or doubtful but want to know more, please email me – in confidence if you like – before the meeting on the 22nd. It will be better to have a keen volunteer than a ‘last resort’.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Do take care of yourselves.
With every good wish
John
John Monks
Chair
Friends of Exeter Ship Canal
jbmonks@btinternet.com
01392 493559
PS: The picture at the head of the newsletter is not a sight you would expect or necessarily wish to see every day. It is of the midget submarine HMS Stickleback navigating the Exeter Ship Canal en route to a visit to Exeter in the 1950s. One supposes the crew brought the clock in when they submerged. Their visit, of course, was peaceful. With thanks to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.
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We are always keen to welcome new members who are supporters of the canal. If you know anyone who may be interested please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.
Membership is:
Individual – £8 a year
Family – £15 a year
Lifetime – £100
Corporate or business membership can also be arranged.
For all membership enquiries please contact:
Mick Green, secretary
michael.green@endorsehr.co.uk
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