RA Chair – Resignation
Created by Barry KirbyIt is with some regret that I feel I have to stand down as the Chair of the Residents Association.
The reasons are many, but the main one is that with our new arrival expected within 1 to 5 weeks time, I see myself having very little time on my hands to devote to the RA and do the role justice. I was hoping that someone would have come along and put themselves forward for election, and I could be succeeded by someone who will do a better job than I have done to date.
I do not take this decision lightly as I really do want to be involved, however, seeing how much time I have been able to put in to date – and this will only get worse before it gets any better – I think it is best to do something now, rather than carrying on doing a sub-standard job.
I am hoping that putting this post, then this might persuade someone else to give it a go, rather than just letting apathy reign, someone might get motivated by it.
I am willing to be involved when I can, and after things settle down at home, I hope to become more involved again, but can’t see this happening for a good 6 months or so.
Barry
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March 13th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Hi Barry,
Understandable, given your personal circumstances, ‘though it is a shame for Kingsway residents, particularly since nobody has put themselves forward to replace you.
For myself, I am obviously still extensively involved in community activities with the Association, the Police Community Group and my other activities involving youth groups, this website, the Parish Council and Housing Associations etc.
I also want to thank you for the work you’ve put in to date. Nobody will appreciate the amount of work you have done and it’s a sad fact that much of your time has been absorbed by issues and activities which were not intended to be the responsibility of the Residents Association… Unfortunately circumstances surrounding the economy, the development, developers and consortium have conspired to divert your attention away from the things you really wanted to concentrate on when you took up the position in the first place.
I am working on the article we discussed with Andrew Hunter, I regret that I’ve taken so long to do it but am also incredibly busy right now; however I have prepared the map document and am part way through the article, so I expect to add it to the site very soon… Hopefully that will both help to point Residents in the right direction with their issues, as well as taking some of the weight away from the Residents Association.
In the absence of anybody else volunteering to pick up the ball, organise (and publicise) an election meeting and take over the reins, I shall continue in my role as “RA Web Officer”, to publish all news related to the activities that the Association was intended to fulfil and – if it’s still possible – to coordinate the meeting with Andrew Hunter which we discussed previously.
Once again, thanks for all your efforts, good luck with the extended family and I fully expect to sit down for a(nother) beer with you in the very near future
April 15th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
On March 26th I received the following from Ian MacLauchlan (RA Secretary):
I didn’t post it here before because Ian had said that he would do it himself but I figured that he must (still) be struggling to log in so I thought I would go ahead and post it for him.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Clive: I would be happy to sit down and discuss such a role if residents and yourself thought I was suitable.
Once Kingsway becomes a Village in it’s own right I take it we would then have a Councillor?
Drop me an email, but yes I would be interested in volunteering my time for such a role.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hi Shane,
At last
Suitability isn’t really a major issue… (dont’ think that sounds right but – what the heck – lol) of course you’re “suitable”
I’m also expecting Baz_k to crumble under the pressure of my continued assault* on his conscience
The three of us could get together to discuss revisiting this… What we really need now are one or two other local folks who have the time and interest to get involved and we can (re)start the periodic meetings and get the thing rolling again. After all, construction is continuing – maybe even accelerating – and it’s only a matter of time before the need for influence from actual residents of Kingsway becomes important once again!
* (Alright Baz, I know it seems easy… but – although my crusades start slowly – they never end)
August 25th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I myself am keen to head the Association (looking ahead to WHEN Kingsway is finally recognised in it’s own right then can go on to be a Councillor and have full proper support).
Whilst I am young (32) I do have various experience, ex-forces and now working for the Ambulance Service as well as the Welfare Officer for UNISON, I feel I could assist disgruntled residents but support for such a position would need to come from you guys.
I am keen to arrange regular meetings with residents, Councillors, and local Police, whom together I would like to think can resolve these ever pending issues… Thoughts?
August 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hi Shane,
Apologies for dividing your post between threads… Just need to keep this stuff together so I can keep track
As mentioned before, I’m keen to get things moving again (although the RA is officially still operating… I’m the only elected representative still working). I don’t see your age being any problem (32 isn’t young)
but we will need more people (at least a Secretary and – from past experience – I’d suggest at least one more active member would be useful) and we will – of course – need to arrange a meeting to allow for members to be elected.
Sadly – when we last asked for volunteers (see here) we didn’t get any takers
Incidentally, I’m also the local representative on the “Community Police Neighbourhood Panel” (I noticed that the question was asked in one of the email strings you sent to me)
August 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Shanemc
32 isn’t too young to do the job, I kicked it off when i was 29 (I just didn’t tell anyone)!
While I was about to buckle under Clive’s pressure and try to rejuvinate things, I think it is brilliant that you are willing to give it a shot, therefore you have my full backing.
As I said in my post, I would be more than happy to assist as an active member of the committee. I don’t have the time to be a secretary but I have gained contacts doing this and have tried pushing events.
However, to be honest, we need lots more people to get involved to make it work as just 3/4 people meeting every couple of weeks can only achieve so much..
August 26th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I knew it
Ideally we could use another 3-5 people (minimum) and the Secretary is going to be most difficult to find.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Hi Shane,
In this comment you said:
Can we press on? Yes, but we will need to discuss (or consider) other positions… with only 2 representatives we will be hard-pressed to arrange meetings and achieve anything meaningful.
We Need:
1. To agree/arrange premises (the School or the Community Centre would seem to be the best options).
2. To publicise (can do it on here of course but we also need to let non-internet users know. Leaflets would probably work but we would need help to get them delivered).
3. An agenda (although the election and – perhaps – discussion of the problems discussed in this thread – would suffice).
4. A meeting chairman (traditionally I guess we should ask Baz_k to chair it – as the “outgoing” chairman).
August 31st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I think if things can be rejuvenated (as Clive points out, the actual Association already exists and has done lots of good things already in sorting problems) then it would be great.
There are two issues, getting and being the Chair of the Association is a very easy job, the big post to get filled is that of Secretary. It is pointless having a meeting to get things sorted without having at least one person offering to fill this role before the meeting.
The second problem is that, while lots of people are happy to complain on here, the number that actually turn up to the meetings are a minority of the village. We need more people to be on board to be interested (not even to do stuff but just to voice their opinions) otherwise you do not represent everybody. Given what I read in The Citizen online, we need to ensure that the Social Housing tenants feel welcome and included so we do not promote this two tier village!
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 am
May I suggest we advertise on here for a Secetary?
You should both have my contact details so please keep in touch, but given the total houses by 2012 is going to be over 2,000 then I think we need to carry on the RA with the good work that you have already started.
Many thanks Baz and I look forward to hearing from you.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Hi Shane,
We have already advertised – here.
So far no volunteers, but perhaps this renewed interest will entice somebody to step up