Note to Members: Succession in ASV Committee Positions

Much has been written, spoken and pleaded regarding the filling of positions on the ASV executive, exhibition coordinators and other duties. To a great degree, the same old people volunteer to do the work again and again, but they are getting tired and are retiring from their positions. New blood is needed if the ASV is to continue its calendar of activities. There are currently positions available and there will soon be more.

One of the problems seems to be that new people are daunted by the prospect of taking on seemingly complex jobs with little or no experience in such things.

To overcome this problem we are working towards a system where a new volunteer works with the existing holder of a position for a year in an apprentice-like manner so that when they take over the position the next year, they will be familiar with what has to be done. Even after that, the previous person would generally be available to give advice when things are difficult or memory fails. We are also trying to document our procedures more precisely so that organisation is not based solely on memory.

Bearing these points in mind, we are asking each member not currently involved to consider how he or she could participate actively in the running of the ASV, and make a more of a contribution to the work that makes things happen.

Many members who have taken on positions have later commented how much they have learned and how they have benefited from the experience. This was despite having been afraid of the job at the beginning.

Michael Meszaros