Observations about meetings

I have, in the course of my remunerated working life, been required to attend and sometimes run meetings. I have several observations about meetings, although each committee or meeting had its own peculiarities.

1. For many years I was on a committee to do with my professional association.  These meetings usually began with a re-run of the last meeting. At least half of the people didn't remember to bring their copy of the minutes, so the amount of time devoted to previous minutes would usually last the greater part of the meeting, as the chair then felt it necessary to read out the minutes. There was usually at least one member of this committee who was misinformed or plain ignorant, and it was usually this person dominated the conversation. This combination of circumstances meant that the most important business, which was to discuss policy and take a stance, or arrange future events, did not have sufficient time devoted to it.

2. The second kind of meeting was when I was working for an organisation that was run by a bullying autocrat. He professed to encourage discussion and seek opinion, but people soon learnt that to do so was a risky strategy, as he had his ways of punishing anyone who voiced a different opinion to the one he wanted to hear. So eventually this committee became, he told, we listened and nodded.

3. Another kind of meeting occurred in academia. Here, most people had opinions, liked to expound them at great length, but were incapable of making any kind of decisions.  When the chairperson finally did it for these people, he or she was then accused of being undemocratic.

So what does this all have to do with volunteering for the Countryside Service? Only that I have learnt about yet another kind of meeting. When I turned up for work this week, I had a chat with the team, but they were about to have their monthly meeting with some of the higher ups. I related my experience of meetings, but was told that they had yet another kind of meeting, which they termed, "We ask for something, it is refused".  I can't imagine this will change when the county as a whole is to undergo 23% cuts under the spending review. This county has been lucky to have had the same complexion of local government for over 20 years, so there has been an opportunity to bed down some really good work. But the local government changed at the last election, and it now seems that the new lot are trying to unravel this good work as fast as they can.

But in contravention of this rule, Mr Head Ranger did take possession of a new land rover a couple of weeks ago. He was uncertain how he felt about this, as he rather liked the old one, had got used to its quirks and idiosyncracies.  I think his dog, a very appealing collie, liked it too. She is a beautiful animal and accompanies him everywhere. In the office, she sits patiently until we are ready to leave, looking at Mr Head Ranger with adoring eyes. Sometimes she trots to the door to see who is passing by. She has her own special seat in the land rover, which is just behind the driver's seat. She keeps an eye on Mr Head Ranger's driving, and licks his ear regularly, with approval.

So work for volunteers is suspended now for a couple of weeks. My supervisor says that they will be spending time doing building checks and other maintenance tasks. This is a pity, as I am so enjoying both the work and the company of a great bunch of people.