BCU - death of democracy

[Allan Bennett]

Just come to my notice in a Marathon Committee letter:

"... the BCU Board has introduced new regulations for the conduct of its
committees that came into effect from 1st May 2003. These new regulations
replace Part A of the Constitution on pages F1 and F2 of the Canoe Racing
Handbook." <ie the section constitution>

"Under the new regulations, general meetings <ie AGMs> become "consultative
meetings" and resolutions put before the meeting (apart from the election of
persons to serve on the committee) are treated as recommendations for further
consideration by the committee."

Presumably, the same changes to the constitutions of *all* BCU committees
will have been made.

AFAIK, none of this has been made public, nor been approved by ballot through
any AGM. It is yet another totalitarian diktat.

Worse still - certainly the case in racing (marathon and sprint) - is that
the majority of committee members are full or part-time employees of the
BCU/Sports Council. They are unlikely to accept any democratic decision that
might affect their employment - even if the decision is for the benefit of
the sport. They are unlikely to oppose any command from above that might
hinder their future prospects either in canoeing or in the other sports
organizations... just as we are seeing now with Clown Prince Albert claiming
his right to the BOA crown.

Decisions can be overturned by individuals with no knowledge, experience or
interest in the section or region - or even the sport as a whole.

Decisions can be imposed by unaccountable government quangos - and we, as
members of a so-called members' organization can do nothing about it.

Worse again: we are told that we should elect people we can trust on to the
committees - yet it is the Chairmen of those committees who have already
voted to accept these enforcements or failed to convince others that it is
wrong and anti-democratic. And the other committee members have failed to
defend our democratic rights.

The BCU is a members' organisation, and the Board should accept directions
from the constituent committees - NOT the other way around...

It's your sport. It's your BCU. Give your rights to the tyrants or do
something about it.

Allan Bennett

--

[Broooz]

"Allan Bennett" > wrote in message
...

> The BCU is a members' organisation, and the Board should accept directions
> from the constituent committees - NOT the other way around...

I thought the BCU was a limited company and therefore is bound by its
articles of association. These were put to the members when it changed
status. I think the changes you mention may be a consequence of this. At
least, would it be better to have some facts before criticising them?

[Broooz]

"Allan Bennett" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, Broooz
> > wrote:

> > At least, would it be better to have some facts before criticising them?
>
> The facts are those that have been presented to us. Criticism of those
> details is not enough. If you value your right to have a say in the way
our
> sport is run, you need to do something, rather than having a pop at the
> messenger.

That's a bit sensitive - I was not having a pop at the messenger but I was
questioning your interpretation of it. Criticism without the facts is
pointless. Indeed it can undermine an otherwise valid case because most
people discount a story that is without proper information to form a
judgement.

I am not a member of the BCU so I don't think it is necessary for me to do
anything about how I think the BCU is run if I had a problem with that
(which I do not).

[Allan Bennett]

In article >, Broooz
> wrote:
> "Allan Bennett" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >, Broooz
> > > wrote:
>
> > > At least, would it be better to have some facts before criticising them?
> >
> > The facts are those that have been presented to us. Criticism of those
> > details is not enough. If you value your right to have a say in the way
> our
> > sport is run, you need to do something, rather than having a pop at the
> > messenger.
>
> That's a bit sensitive - I was not having a pop at the messenger but I was
> questioning your interpretation of it.

That's fair enough, but you seem to be changing your argument here.
Questioning my point of view is OK, but the facts are the facts and they have
come from an official source - the secretary of the Marathon Racing Committee
as issued to clubs.

> Criticism without the facts is pointless.

You've got the facts. I've come to bury them, not to praise them.

> Indeed it can undermine an otherwise valid case because most people
> discount a story that is without proper information to form a judgement.

I've heard that all before. Generally that argument is used because people
don't want to accept the facts or the viewpoint not forwarded by themselves.

>
> I am not a member of the BCU so I don't think it is necessary for me to do
> anything about how I think the BCU is run if I had a problem with that
> (which I do not).

No, not much weight to your point of view if you aren't a member, I
suppose...


Allan Bennett
Not a fan of pointlessness

--

[Phil M]

Good grief. This is the first time I've read this newsgroup for about
a year. Incredible as it may seem, Bitter Bennett is still harping on
about the BCU.

An observer might note that time spent tapping injured little
treatises into usenet could more satisfactorily be spent on the
river...

[Phil M]

Allan Bennett wrote:
> Or do you not care?

Er, no.

[David Kemper]

Reply is at bottom of page.....

"Gaz" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in the same situation Phil.
> Thought i'd come on here to see a few interesting threads and
participate in
> a group I haven't done in such a long time. I thought things wouldn't
> change, but good old Bennett has still got the BCU niggleing at him.
Alan,
> you must have so much spare time on you to let this get to you. Do you
have
> any hobbies? Do you canoe/kayak? Or are you an independant appointed
> watchdog with the purpose to portray the BCU as an evil entity?
>
> Gaz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phil M" >
> Newsgroups: uk.rec.boats.paddle
> Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 7:21 PM
> Subject: Re: BCU - death of democracy and the constitution
>
>
> > Good grief. This is the first time I've read this newsgroup for
about
> > a year. Incredible as it may seem, Bitter Bennett is still harping
on
> > about the BCU.
> >
> > An observer might note that time spent tapping injured little
> > treatises into usenet could more satisfactorily be spent on the
> > river...

You two amused me. Both of you make comments about coming back after an
absence. I didn't notice you before you left, so to me, you are both new
visitors.

Your sole recent contributions to the newsgroup are a whinge about
Allan. How useful to anyone is that? Those who dislike Allan's opinions
have disappeared or are ignoring those particular threads. All you do by
posting your drivel is encourage Allan to post more similar stuff, as he
now knows you, probably among others, read his postings. ;-)

Allan is a racing kayak coach, level 6 or 7 I think...... :-p Could be
higher by now though.... He also built my kayak.

Why don't you use a bit of selective reading, and contribute to one or
other thread you do like, rather than carping on about the furniture.

If you don't like it here, there are other places to visit......
Have fun, don't rush back!

David

[Allan Bennett]

In article >, Gaz
> wrote:
> I'm in the same situation Phil.
> Thought i'd come on here to see a few interesting threads and participate
> in a group I haven't done in such a long time. I thought things wouldn't
> change, but good old Bennett has still got the BCU niggleing at him. Alan,
> you must have so much spare time on you to let this get to you. Do you have
> any hobbies? Do you canoe/kayak?

Well done on your personal attack without any comment on the topic or
contribution to any debate.

> Or are you an independant appointed watchdog with the purpose to portray
> the BCU as an evil entity?

Now wouldn't that be useful! The sort of thing that is now being implemented
by the bureaucrats in *your* sport is precisely mirrored by the corrupt
practices in early UK government - and is the reason why Cromwell marched his
army into Parliament...

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a Cromwellian figure to enforce acceptable
corporate governance?

I suppose we still have the major funding body - UK Sport (another
unaccountable government quango, it seems) - let's see what they can do.

Following that we have the ombudsman...

Don't expect me to give up. Don't expect that your grislings to divert me,
and don't expect that you should have any influence over what I report to you
here. This is a resource for the sport, not just something for you to derive
pleasure from.

If you find the reporting of corrupt and otherwise unacceptable practices of
your sport's governing body and constituent committees not 'interesting' to
you - don't read them.



Allan Bennett
Not a fan of Camping Gaz

--

[Allan Bennett]

In article >, David Kemper
> wrote:
> Reply is at bottom of page.....
>
> "Gaz" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm in the same situation Phil.
> > Thought i'd come on here to see a few interesting threads and
> participate in
> > a group I haven't done in such a long time. I thought things wouldn't
> > change, but good old Bennett has still got the BCU niggleing at him.
> Alan,
> > you must have so much spare time on you to let this get to you. Do you
> have
> > any hobbies? Do you canoe/kayak? Or are you an independant appointed
> > watchdog with the purpose to portray the BCU as an evil entity?
> >
> > Gaz
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Phil M" >
> > Newsgroups: uk.rec.boats.paddle
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 7:21 PM
> > Subject: Re: BCU - death of democracy and the constitution
> >
> >
> > > Good grief. This is the first time I've read this newsgroup for
> about
> > > a year. Incredible as it may seem, Bitter Bennett is still harping
> on
> > > about the BCU.
> > >
> > > An observer might note that time spent tapping injured little
> > > treatises into usenet could more satisfactorily be spent on the
> > > river...
>
> You two amused me. Both of you make comments about coming back after an
> absence. I didn't notice you before you left, so to me, you are both new
> visitors.
>
> Your sole recent contributions to the newsgroup are a whinge about
> Allan. How useful to anyone is that? Those who dislike Allan's opinions
> have disappeared or are ignoring those particular threads. All you do by
> posting your drivel is encourage Allan to post more similar stuff, as he
> now knows you, probably among others, read his postings. ;-)

Actually, Daffy, that is neither my motivation, nor does it have any
influence whatsoever on what I post.

> Allan is a racing kayak coach, level 6 or 7 I think...... :-p Could be
> higher by now though.... He also built my kayak.
>
> Why don't you use a bit of selective reading, and contribute to one or
> other thread you do like, rather than carping on about the furniture.
>
> If you don't like it here, there are other places to visit......
> Have fun, don't rush back!
>



Allan Bennett
Not a fan of being sat upon

--

[Elliott Gully]

>Allan Bennett
>Not a fan of Camping Gaz
>

Now that was funny.
Nice one!

[David Kemper]

"Peter Clinch" > wrote in message
...
> David Kemper wrote:
>
> > Coming back over the Wye at Ross on Wye I saw a sculling pair out on
the
> > river. I've never spotted any flat water activity there before
today.
>
> They have (or at least had) a rowing regatta there every summer. I
> found this out by being on an oil-drum raft negotiating the river the
> same day back when I was in the scouts, and the two types of craft not
> being terribly compatible they very sportingly towed us down with
their
> safety boat between races.
>
I came past Ross at about 6.30 -7.00 (can't recall the exact time),
which is later than I normally cross that bridge, so it is quite
possible that a local club train in the early evening. If I pass that
way earlier in the day they probably don't go out on the water that
early.

There is a canoe club and rowing club sharing a building at Hereford,
which is also on the Wye. I have raced there several times.

I worked at Grantham (Lincs.), East Bridgford, and Mansfield (Notts)
today, but I can't do the accents. Lots of odd kayaks around, but all on
roofracks travelling somewhere, just not the same somewhere!

David
Not a fan of power rafts. ;-)

[Allan Bennett]

In article >, David Kemper
> wrote:

>
> David
> Not a fan of power rafts. ;-)

Trying to get something relevant (or interesting...) from the 'discussion' -
these 'power rafts' - nothing to do with BCU power-freak-bureaucrats by any
chance??? Or is there a typo in there somewhere?



Allan Bennett
Not a fan of floating voters

--

[Jel Coward]

Hi all

A while back I remember reading on here about some very interesting
devices called sponsons. Does anyone know where I could get some?

Cheers ;-)
--
Jel Coward

The UK Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and Command Physician course is
9th-15th November 2003 at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Scotland

http://www.wildmedic.org
http://www.wemsi.org



'There's no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing"
Anon Norwegian

[Ian Snowdon]

In message >, Jel Coward
> scribes
>Hi all
>
>A while back I remember reading on here about some very interesting
>devices called sponsons. Does anyone know where I could get some?
>
>Cheers ;-)


Aaaaagggghhhhhh!!!! KILL
--
Snowy

[occ]

On Thu, 7 Aug 2003 22:02:59 -0700, Jel Coward >
wrote:

>Hi all
>
>A while back I remember reading on here about some very interesting
>devices called sponsons. Does anyone know where I could get some?
>

Hi
I think some guy in the states sell them


John O'Connell

Wood burning camp stoves
www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor

[Peter Goedhart]

>
> Aaaaagggghhhhhh!!!! KILL

Here doggie, kill and attack
O, no more sponsons

[Jel Coward]

In article >, occ
> writes
>I think some guy in the states sell them
>
>
Thanks - I have to confess to have been joking though - a reference to
the bad old days of 'sponson guy' on this list.

Cheers :)
--
Jel

[Nidge]

occ wrote

>> Does anyone know where I could get some?
> >
>

> I think some guy in the states sell them

There's guys in the states still do frontal lobotomies too - but it doesn't
meant they're a *good* thing ;-P

Nidge

[Widge292]

I've got some, brand new never used with all the straps etc.NE England.

Pete