28 October 2006
Diplomatic mission
It’s fair to say that since I was elected (and I use the term in its loosest, ‘not-elected-at-all-but-persuaded-
with-spades-and-pitchforks-at-my-back’ sense) Chairperson of the Warstock Lane Allotments Association I have hardly been run off my feet with Association-associated tasks. As someone who often doesn’t have enough time to get down there and do a bit of weeding this suits me, but I think it is going to have to change.
Today I met with Ben (our Secretary, 4-plot worker and tireless recruiter of new allotmenters) and Jane (our Treasurer) to finally have us made signatories of the Association’s bank account. To say that this did not go quite according to plan is a bit like saying that Bill Gates is not very geeky or that Jordan and Peter Andre’s wedding was only a little bit tasteless. I’m not going to go into details here (trust me, you really don’t want to know), but it certainly wasn’t quite the smooth, ’show-me-the-money’ transaction we were hoping for.
Talking with Ben afterwards, it also became clear that old tensions within the Association are still very much alive. There is some historical griping and factioning - the origins of which are a mystery to me - that continue to ignite some very strong feelings. And if there’s anything that is likely to get me to sit up and take action, even when I’m too busy to blow my nose or scratch my bum, it’s appealing to the peacemaker in me.
I just want everyone to get on and enjoy their vegetables, for goodness’ sakes.
So, it looks as though I will be becoming a bit more active in my role as Chairperson, though I am still uncertain as to quite what the role is supposed to entail. Watch this space as I discover what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
Filed under: Plot politics — Clare @ 12:51 pm
Rather you than me, matey. I once tried to unite the warring factions of a charity I was a volunteer with. I left 18 months later with nowt but stress to show for it and the deep belief that if you can’t kill them, you’ll never remove some people from the problem.
(30.10.06 @ 11:27 am)
Yes, you’re probably right. Like as not it won’t be the first time I come a cropper thansk to my unshakeable belief in human nature!
(30.10.06 @ 12:22 pm)
My unshakeable belief in human nature is that most people are nice on the surface and fekking horrible below that all the way to the core. Obviously there are some nice ones out there but they are few and far between and the chances of them gathering together in one place (say, ohhhhh, a committee for a charity or an allotment site) are pretty slim leaving the bulk of such groups to be made up of the duds.
How I haven’t gone insane by now is beyond me.
(30.10.06 @ 3:25 pm)
You cynic you!
(30.10.06 @ 3:31 pm)
Yes, but I’m also a battle-scarred realist. I don’t mind that most people are selfish, nasty gits - enough of us aren’t to make life quite nice
Speaking of battle-scarred, have you seen the new Battlestar Galactica yet?
(30.10.06 @ 3:40 pm)
Hi - just popped in to see how you are getting on. Hope it isn’t too late for feedback. I like the site as it is as it is very open and easy to find out what is going on. I tend to visit every now and then and just leave the odd comment. I just scroll back to see what I have missed. I have to say I liked the look of the new design though! Good luck with it.
(05.11.06 @ 12:45 am)
ps. Good luck with sorting out the factions. I try and keep as far away from politics at the lottie as possible, which compared to your involvement feels like a bit of a cop - out.
(05.11.06 @ 12:48 am)
Hi Mike - never too late for feedback, which is always gratfeully received. Plus, as you can see, we’ve not yet managed to finish the new design!! I think your avoidance of plot politics is eminently sensible - so many people do seem to get so heated about the smallest things. I try to be understanding, but sometimes I just want to give people a slap!
(05.11.06 @ 1:19 pm)