Re: how does an exec meeting work?


"GAGS" <absolutecrapgags.nw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"Ewan Scott" <ewanscott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 10:53:15 +0100, "GAGS"
<absolutecrapgags.nw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


snip

Absolutely correct. I would still assert that it would be correct for a
GEC
to question whether it was an appropriate purchase at that time (what I
said
above!) and thus ask the leader(s) to review their request and back it
up
with something that will show the purchase will be appropriate and will
be
used (which is what you said). The GEC would be correct in saying 'hold
on a
minute' if evidence showed there was little use of it in the past and no
plans for use of it in the future.

If there are no plans to use kit and the purchase is gratuitious then
it is a waste and the GEC would be right to intervene if they thought
that was the case, but only if they thought that was the case.

That was the view I was taking.

snip

It does not matter one iota if a
group spends £1,000 on computer equipment and it gets used only once
or twice.

I think it does matter! No one wants to see £1000's worth of assets
being
left to gather dust. If there was a plan at the time of purchase to make
full use of it then that's fine, even if, due to unforeseen
circumstances,
it doesn't get used as much or hardly at all.

No, it doesn't, if the £1,000 was spent from funds specifically raised
and for a purpose then it isn't an issue.

Of course that would be the case for designated funds. I was assuming
unrestricted funds.

It is an issue if the
replacement of well used equipment is delayed because fuinds have been
dipped into to fund this other project - but that, in my perfect
little world should not happen :-)

Indeed! :-)


Several years ago we had plans to set up an IT Room, we had two adults
prepared to manage the IT Room, and the Groups could put all records
on the system etc. We had agreement from the leaders, and the Scouts
said that they were interested. So I went out and found the money to
buy the first PC, and we supplemented that with two donated machines.

When we set them up, no-one who had said they were interested actually
used them. The only thing they got used for was games. So, with one
thing and another I cut off the Internet access and the PC now gets
used maybe twice a year. I don't think the purchase was a waste, it
didn't impinge on what we do anyway, and we learned a valuable lesson.
We also have an asset that we can use if and when we need to.

Of course. Circumstances change. Leaders and GECs don't have crystal
balls.

I'd agree that gratuitous purchasing is wasteful

Which is the angle I was coming from with my comments.

and that is what the
GEC is there to prevent,

Correct. That is their important role.

but, in all other cases, they should support
the decision of the Leaders. Again, I clarify, any additional project
must be funded without impinging on "normal" operations.

Agreed.

It is the leaders' job to say: 'We would like to buy this', it is the
GEC's
job to say: 'Why?' If the leaders say: 'Because we're going to do this
and
have plans to do this - and all have been carefully thought out', then
the
GEC should be saying: 'Great! How can we help you?' However, if the
leaders
say: 'Don't know really, haven't given it much thought at the moment,
just
think it may be okay for us, etc', then the GEC is perfectly entitled to
say: 'Okay we want to go along with you on this, but can you have a few
more
thoughts about how it's going to be used and come back with some more
concrete ideas next meeting? Once you've got things clearer in your head
then we can look at ways in which we can realise your plans'.

That is fair comment, but they should not be standing in the way of
such projects by simply saying, No!

Agreed.

There is a tendency in some areas for some ECs to say a flat 'No!' too
often. That is wrong and tends to turn them into ultra-cautious EC's where
trying to get a yes out of them to support a project is well-nigh
impossible; the money stays in the bank and funds accumulate (contrary to
Charity Law) and there then arises an almost morbid fear of spending
money.
I much prefer ECs to say either 'Yes!' or 'Yes, but...'.


Snip

Crikey! I've only been back a minute and now I'm agreeing with you!

Give it a couple more posts :-)

Well it didn't work for this one! :-)

GAGS


Blimey, Ewan and GAGS agreeing - bring back the Explorers debate quick!

I'll get me coat.

Stephen


.

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