I want the region to become more business-like, more professional and I intend, if elected to be as heavily involved as possible in the management of this transition. An efficient business-like model with a focus on branch development and expansion can allow for great potential for the growth and strengthening of YFG. The region needs an overhaul and needs to start laying down strong foundations. The first step when we have a problem is to admit we have one. We are not functioning as a region as well as we can be, both in operation and selling ourself. Lets start at the roots and try to regrow each branch in the region. My term would begin with requesting an update of events from branches until the AGM season next year in Spring 2014. This will provides a framework of the strengths of the region and also areas that require strengthening. After the AGMs and new committees elected, I would strongly encourage each individual branch to create and develop an annual action plan. This action plan should contain basic ideas and aspirations that would serve the branches as a guide to how they should strive towards their goals. Setting these plans for clearly defined goals will increase branch efficiency. Some branches do already create an annual plan and some dont. I feel that this should be a standard operational practise for branches and would strongly encourage each branch to begin this. I would create a discussion forum for the Leinster region on Facebook as used in other regions of the country, all members are invited and allow their opinions to be heard. This is a very quick and effective way to conduct a poll on issues. In each Annual Action Plan I am looking for; 1.) a minimum of one meeting per quarter, 2.) idea on how to gain two new members in the term, 3.) two write ups in the local paper; either advertising the meeting or reporting on it, 4.) how branches will notify members of meetings; text, email, Facebook, phone call etc, 5.) which means of fundraising to be undertaken, expenditure forecasts and analysis. These are simple ideas, that I feel everyone here would agree make sense, and should be occurring but dont. The simple act of having these plans means that they are more likely to be carried out and fulfilled. Its about laying down clearly defined structures for ourselves and through this, allowing us to perform more efficiently as a region. I propose a quarterly review on the progress of each branch. This shall be a self examination process and any subsequent amendments can be made to the branchs annual plan. There will be no negative repercussions for failing to achieve any of the plan but simply a review of what went wrong and what went right. Through a process of effective prior planning, and post evaluation I want branches to identify what are their strengths are and strive to improve them whilst reducing any weaknesses that exist. It is my goal to visit each branch in the region individually. Not attending just a normal branch meeting but I, as LRO, organising one additional meeting. The arrangement would be of an open meeting with the core exec and any or all members that wish to attend. The purpose of this meeting would be 3 stages; a review of branch development and progress plans, an open discussion about each branches individual strengths and weakness, and a display of forward planning and execution of these annual plans. In the October 2014 I will be contacting each college chairperson asking them to examine their membership to see which are from the region. The chairperson shall then either forward the information to me as LRO or directly to the branches themselves. This is a standard communication practice that should be operating nationally but for some reason doesnt. The same will go in the opposite direction with home branches informing colleges in August of incoming members. We need to start displaying a more positive and united front about the region and our prospects. I truly believe that all branches have great strengths and an unique character and that is right at the core of YFG! I hope to start the process of greater branch interaction, and for YFG Leinster to develop from separate entities, into a highly functional, transparent and efficient regional entity.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:07:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015