The future of the Swanage Residents' Association
(Text of a letter sent to all members)
Well, to put it bluntly, it doesn't seem that the Association has a future.
For a long time, the same few people have been responsible for driving the organisation and, having served for a number of years, most of them now either can no longer spare the time or they wish to do other things. Despite numerous appeals for volunteers to take their place, no one has offered to do so.
The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Association will be formally dissolved in the near future — unless now, at the eleventh hour, some community-minded people step forward.
The roles to be filled include Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc— or you could just join the Committee. There isn't a great deal of work involved; but any group needs a few key people to organise and arrange things, and make things happen.
But it may not just be apathy. Recently, we've seen how strong independent groups can be when they have a particular cause to fight: such as campaigns for the Day Centre, the Minor Injuries Unit, the Recycling Centre, Herston Fields and the Schools. Perhaps there's no longer any need for an organisation like the SRA to fight people's battles for them. And with communications more effective than ever before, especially from some local media, websites and via email, there is less dependence on the SRA to keep people informed of developments in their local community.
So there we are. Unless some enthusiastic volunteers step forward NOW, please take this letter as formal notice of the proposal to dissolve the Swanage Residents' Association, according to the Terms of its Constitution. Any funds held by the Association will be transferred to one or more other charitable institutions with similar aims.
There will be an Annual General Meeting in April/May 2011, at which this proposal will be formally presented, and at which members may vote. However, if a majority should vote to retain the Association, it will be necessary for individuals to stand for office, and be elected. If you wish to stand, please let us know by 31 January 2011. If the decision is taken at the AGM to dissolve the Association, a final Special General Meeting will be held not less than 14 days after the AGM.
Thank you to all of those who have supported the Association in the past, and who have contributed in various ways. We are sure you will find other ways to remain closely involved with your community.
Signed on behalf of the Committee,
Mike Hadley,
Committee Member
If you wish to join the Committee or stand for election as an Officer, please let me know before 31 January 2011. Telephone: 426338 Email: mail@mikehadley.net
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6 comments:
Well what a far cry from the days when Jack Hardy (RIP) was the Chairman AND Mayor, so SRA practically ran the Town, including planning policy, parking regulations, and concessionaires.
Swanage Residents Association seem to have been eaten by the Purbeck Society which now aspires to represent all that is good and respectable in Swanage; but don’t even seem to have a website despite their hefty and vocal punch. Slightly sinister methinks
R.I.P big society starting in Swanage.
What did this group achieve since the outset. Sorry to be ignorant, but it would be good to celebrate its successes.
For years and years it kept Swanage a very conservative place. They objected to planning applications, licensing applications and were practically the only group involved in policy decisions. The Town council was simply the administrative arm of the association. Litter, dog poo, and flower beds were high on the agenda. They were also at least partly responsible for terrible planning errors which basically aimed to keep New Swanage safe and pristine, and sod the rest.
For years and years it kept Swanage a very conservative place. They objected to planning applications, licensing applications and were practically the only group involved in policy decisions. The Town council was simply the administrative arm of the association. Litter, dog poo, and flower beds were high on the agenda. They were also at least partly responsible for terrible planning errors which basically aimed to keep New Swanage safe and pristine, and sod the rest.
MEOW! but true.
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