This organisation only exists because people are interested enough to put themselves out and make it happen. You may have heard me mention before how important this is. I am not looking for compliments here, for myself I wouldn't do the Chairmans role if I didn't enjoy it, meeting up with the other committee members gives me quite a lift, particulary in these difficult times in the day job. The meetings are not long and boring, and we usually have a laugh in amongst the discussion and food.

So where is this going? Yes, we need some more help. Nobody should feel chained to a voluntary role supporting our organisation, so before people get to feel like that, I want more people involved, so we can break jobs down and share the work. To tempt you in, we have thought about the roles we have on offer so you can be clear about what it is about and exactly what you are committing yourself to.

All people who support the committee are offered travel expenses, currently at 40p per mile to attend meetings, or public transport costs. You will also be covered for other expenses for things needed by your role. We meet four times a year, one being the Bodgers Ball. We will be experimenting with a central meeting point probably in Oxford district and these will be on a Saturday. ( the next being the 3^rd March ). Not all roles need to attend all our meetings. Mick McHugh our archivist only sees us at the Ball. There is no need to be an expert on Greenwood work, we have plenty of those in the organisation who we can ask when we get stuck, we want people who will help out with other things.

So what do we want help with:

Secretary who can:-

Keep notes of our meetings
Help the Chair with the Agenda
Guiding the committee to remember previous decisions (so we dont keep ploughing old ground)
Support the committee in writing letters and dealing with communications (probably all email these days)

To do this we need someone who can use a computer and email. Outside the meetings probably only a few telephone calls and emails per year, nothing urgent so it can be fitted in when you have time.

Insurance Co-ordinator who can:-

Respond to the calls and emails from members wanting to register their use of the insurance.
Sending the insurance certificate to them
Keeping records of who has used the insurance
Dealing with the broker at renewal time

The world of insurance is always changing so if we there is anyone who feels comfortable in monitoring / searching for a better deal as the “have a go” part of our policy was made unworkable by the current underwriters recently. 

This role will need someone who likes being in touch with people, the work is fairly constant throughout most of the year apart from the winter.

Course and demonstrator administrator who can :

Keep the calendar of courses and list of demonstrators up todate so we can put them in the Bodger’s Gazette and also on the website.

People will email you information and you add it to the listing and delete information as it becomes out of date. This information is sent to the gazette editor quarterly and updated on the website as soon as the information is sent in. You do not have to chase members for information the onus is on the member to send their latest information to you.

To do this we need someone who can use a computer (ms word and excel) and email. This will take only two or three hours each quarter, spread out as information comes in. An hour or so, quarterly, at gazette publication time. We can support anyone unsure of the computer side and they needn't attend all meetings, but would be welcome.

We are always looking for people to help with gazette content: cartoons, jokes, articles, photographs, profiles of famous members, etc. We are also hoping to put more content online, we have a fantastic opportunity with our popular site.

For all these opportunities get in touch with me, email is best, if you get the answermachine, I will ring back, or one of the committee. Don't be shy. I will ensure that you are not signing up for life, just taking a share of the load for a while. If no one comes forward we may have to stop providing these services.

Tony

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