As far as I can see, there's nowhere where the RSPB itself is discussed. It's understandable almost all the posts are about birds, which we all enthusiastic about, but is there not also a need to examine how we're doing as an organisation? Suggestions for our new Chief Executive perhaps, or thoughts about membership turnover (we sign up lots of new members, but why do so many leave us before long?), or about how we spend our funds in UK or overseas, or about how well campaigns are going (lots of signatures for letter to the future, but not so good when you see it's less than a quarter of our membership).
You will probably guess I'd like to start with a good moan! I volunteered for a couple of different things, and the first response in both cases was "please fill in this form authorising a CRB check". Not very welcoming I thought, how about a phone call first to see if I suit the job and the job suits me! How does the RSPB recommend its staff to handle the first contact with a new volunteer?
Overall the RSPB does a really great job, so this isn't really about moans but about fostering continuing success, by exchanging ideas about how we do things and what we might do extra/differently/less of.
I tend to agree with Sheena. These forums are for sharing experiences, asking advice and (sometimes!) giving opinions. They are friendly, interesting and, for the most part, light hearted. If people have major grievances with the RSPB, then surely they would not be members? It seems to me that 5wift is being deliberately antagonistic without any experience of actually posting anything anywhere else, judging from his/her 'number of posts' rating.
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]
I didn't find 5wifts thread or his comments therein, at all antagonistic. It sounded like someone very passionate about the society, warts and all. There are issues I too disagree with within the society and as a member don't feel there should be any reason why such a thread should not be started. Especially on an RSPB forum. As adults we should be able discuss issues and agree or disagree with each other without it turning into personal slanging matches. Discussion of issues leads to better understanding of how and why decisons are reached. Realistically, and judging by responses,so far, I know that it would happen and thats sad.
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Hi all,
I'm sitting on the fence on this one, but can see all sides of the argument (that's argument in the debate sense, not the fighting sense).
Some times I feel we should be discussing the work of the RSPB more, the majority of us are members of the society - and it is their forums after all.
I too don't 100% agree with everything that the society does, but I do support most of it - along with the various campaigns that are being run. For example, 5wift has raised a valid point; with so many members why hasn't the Letter to the Future campaign got considerably more members? Its something that has crossed my mind more than once.
Forums are places open to debates and differences of opinion, the danger is just things can either be taken the wrong way or get out of hand.
Hi,
Devil's advocate here :)
" Suggestions for our new Chief Executive perhaps, or thoughts about membership turnover (we sign up lots of new members, but why do so many leave us before long?), or about how we spend our funds in UK or overseas, or about how well campaigns are going "
Welll :)
My informed guess is that the RSPB have bean counters and HR and marketing guys who know the answers / reasons for these. It's a corporate co. in many ways now- more suits than wellies and binoculars. The RSPB started out as group of concerned, driven ladies protesting about cruelty to birds and grew from there into the huge eco- machine it is now :)
I'll give a quick opinion on one of your topics. Many people especially families join the RSPB because like the National Trust it gives them a nice lot of places to go to for a year for free - handy with small kids too :) Many families rotate NT, English Heritage etc over a few years. Going to bird reserves is novel and fun but unless you get the birdwatching bug or live close enough to a reserve to get value out of free weekly access ( even if for walking the dog) then the membership renewal gets dropped. I know I have done the same with a few of my clubs I'm less interested in.
:)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Hi 5wift
Quite a first couple of posts there!
The responses you have got so far I think are a response to the mixture of passion and attack in your post.
You do have quite an antagonistic style. For example you don't start your post with a greeting but just launch in.
You criticise members of this forum in quite uncompromising terms. I quote:
"I have to assume that they are mostly amongst the three-quarters of members who haven't bothered to sign (or don't agree with) the Letter to the Future, that they are not concerned with the quality of welcome we give to new volunteers, that they aren't worried about the high number of departing members. Why do ostriches come to mind (or is that derogatory)?"
This has probably not won you friends.
You obviously do feel strongly about the RSPB and I agree there should be a forum for discussions at the level you require. Perhaps the RSPB will create one.
I too am only a member of this forum but I have looked at others and am sometimes aghast at the slanging matches that occur. We have our fair share of 'dramas' on this forum too, but slanging matches are not tolerated and are stamped on whenever possible.
I'm not sure why you posted what you did and in the style you did but I can fully understand the range of responses you got, from supportive, through sitting on the fence to the "lead balloon" type. That is typical of the range of members on this forum. Fair, considerate, passionate (like you) and protective of this forum. It is a great place and deserves to remain so.
I wish you luck in getting your views considered by the RSPB.
Best wishes
Pipit
--- A very interesting discussion about Discussions....
I agree with most of the objections raised, not because I am 'head in the sand' but because I agree that these things always end in slanging matches, without exception. I for one will not be joining in, if they are started.
Agree with you Seymour.re membership and electing a President.
how many of us on this forum voted for President,
Cartimandua said: I tend to agree with Sheena. These forums are for sharing experiences, asking advice and (sometimes!) giving opinions. They are friendly, interesting and, for the most part, light hearted. If people have major grievances with the RSPB, then surely they would not be members? It seems to me that 5wift is being deliberately antagonistic without any experience of actually posting anything anywhere else, judging from his/her 'number of posts' rating.
Hi Cartumandua,
Not sure where you get the idea of 'major grievances' from. My first post said 'Overall the RSPB does a really great job'. But the best organisations can be improved (and indeed actively seek improvement) and I mentioned 3 areas which occurred to me. So why not share your experience of volunteering with the RSPB - maybe you got a better welcome than I did. I see you live quite close to a number of reserves (Blacktoft, Potteric Carr...) - do you help out there?
Cheers, 5wift
Hi there 5wift - you've certainly got us all talking! Apologies if offence caused, perhaps I was reading too much into your overall tone rather than the substance of what you say (which I agree has some validity). I am involved with a local group, but don't "volunteer" at any of the reserves (not as near as you think!). At the same time, I'd be very concerned about the slanging matches other members talk about (been there, done that - not the slanging I hasten to add!) and wouldn't like it to start here. Perhaps there should be some other outlet for members to challenge/query the powers-that-be in order to get genuine feedback. I say this, bearing in mind that this forum is for members, and other than some of the moderators, the powers-that-be don't hang out in here so may never get to know what we have to say - which would surely be the point of such a discussion. So, powers-that-be, any ideas for getting our views across in this way?
Hi Sheena,
I have no wish to participate in a slanging match, and why you think it would be a good idea for one about the RSPB to be started on your unnamed site I cannot imagine. If as you fear there will be heated discussion of some weak points of RSPB, then surely that should be confined to an RSPB site, not spread around 'the nets largest bird forum'. Wouldn't it be better here where people are so much nicer?
You did at least try and address one issue I raised, but I'm afraid missed my point, which was the quality of the welcome not the CRB check itself (which by the way turned out to be not required). So take another one, the response of only a quarter of members so far to the Letter to the Future. This matters because everyone knows we have a million members, so knocking on a politician's door with anything less than half that number is unlikely to impress. I signed long ago, did you? Why do you think it hasn't yet got a better response?