By
Bill Reid (CRC Editor)
Well,
the news is out. At the end of November, after a period of consideration,
I wrote to Pete telling him I was no longer prepared to carry out the
duties of Chairman of the Colour Reversal Club, carry on with the supply
of chemicals, would consider my membership when it was time to renew my
subscription and offered to terminate the contract of the printing of the
CRCNews should the committee wish, although on the last item Digital
Design would be happy to continue with the current arrangements and
hopefully renew them when the time came. Why did I do this?
In
the last issue of CRC News I said that I was unhappy that the internal
administrative problems were taking up time which I wanted to devote to
photography. I have taken steps to remove this burden.
In
my opinion all the committee were trying to do was to address some
problems which were apparent, in particular with Area 22. In doing so the
committee came under criticism for trying to cure something when nothing
was wrong, and all was working alright. Well if we have an area that has
its own constitution which in some cases directly opposes that of the CRC,
has subscriptions which are different to all other areas, that actively
opposes the wishes of the N.E.C. and has assets which are in dispute as
whether they are owned by the area or the Colour Reversal Club, then I put
it to you that all is not right and working alright. As Chairman my job
would be to ensure meetings were conducted fairly and efficiently. I found
that this would not be possible. We have an Area which has its own self
styled chairman who has written to the N.E.C. saying that Area 22 would
not be changing its constitution, the same one which is at variance to
that of the CRC. The disturbing fact is however that Area 22 had a meeting
to decide their stance and when it was suggested that a N.E.C. member
should be present, it was indicated by Area 22 that they did not want
this. WHY? I can only say that, although I have had total support and
co-operation from the N.E.C,. there is another meeting going on which is
dictating to the rest what it is going to do, and this is not under the
control of the Chair of the Colour Reversal Club. We are told that 24% of
the membership, under the Chairmanship of an ordinary member, not even the
Area co-ordinator, will dictate to the rest. I feel that I was
democratically elected, as best as we can under the constraints of how the
CRC operates, and I am not able to do my job. Yes, we have made mistakes,
don't we all? But there has been little if no meaningful dialogue between
the two parties.
On
top of this, accounts for the year were re-written (pity that the author
of the 'better' accounts cannot add up) and the production of the magazine
was challenged. Far worse than this however, in my opinion. The comments
became personal.
Do
not think all rests with Area 22. One area has not submitted subscriptions
for years, although we do have a large supply of Ammonium thiosulphate!
All
this was taking up too much time and I felt it not fair. Some would say
that I have taken the cowards way out. Well O.K. if that is what you want
to say, that's your privilege. My privilege is still to take the action
which I have. A rat leaving the sinking ship?
No, I think not. I am but less than 0.5% of the membership and I am
sure that there are plenty of people able to carry on, hopefully in a
better manner than myself. Now is the time for those who were quick enough
to criticise to lay their cards on the table and devote their energies to
the benefit of the membership as a whole. Unfortunately, the N.E.C. has
perhaps an even bigger problem than just Area 22, now there is no
Chairman, but it is time for someone to step in and plug the hole. I see
no problem for someone to be
caretaker Chairman until he/her is elected at the next A.G.M.
The
service which I have been able to give concerning chemical supply has been
poor to say the least, of late. Again, my ability to devote my energies to
this has been severely hit because of the forgoing problems so, in an
effort to serve the members better, it would be to the benefit of those
who wish to obtain their chemical supply from the CRC. If someone else
took over the job. Again, lets have a volunteer.
Yes,
I am bitter. For the first time ever, I have not attended a meeting of the
Colour Reversal Club, Bills last meeting at Didcot, because I did not want
to. True I have missed other meetings, but that was because I was unable
to. I did not want to attend the latest meeting because of all the hassle
I have been having of late.
I
think the whole situation could have been avoided but my conscience is
clear that the N.E.C. have act'd in a fair, understanding careful way,
this has not been reciprocated by certain members of Area 22.
I
can now sit back, enjoy my photography and perhaps get down to producing a
slide presentation or two. As for my membership, well I do find it strange
that I should be paying more for my membership than 24% of the members,
perhaps I should apply to join Area 22. I will make up my mind later,
perhaps a compelling reason to remain a member is to maintain contact with
the friends which I have made over the years.