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Governance Structures

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by michaelh, Jul 6, 2012.

  1. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    This is Michael Gove talking about School Governors - however, it's probably true of many heritage railways and their various supporting groups, too

    "All too sadly, we know what bad governance looks like. A sprawling committee and proliferating sub-committees.

    “Local worthies who see being a governor as a badge of status not a job of work. Discussions that ramble on about peripheral issues, influenced by fads and anecdote, not facts and analysis. "

    I expect there will be some who will try to hi-jack this thread to rant about Michael Gove, but that's not what it's here for.
     
    michaelh, Jul 6, 2012
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  2. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    "influenced by fads and anecdotes"

    Sounds remarkably like political pronouncements! It's true enough though, particularly in this country where "aged flatulences" have far too much influence.

    P.H.
     
    paulhitch, Jul 6, 2012
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  3. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    The perpetual problem of Heritage Lines ( or any voluntary Body with some authority) has always been "Egos and Politics" and where the human condition is involved there is no solution to this - irrespective of whether its the local council; school governers; locomotive owners; heritage line operators or any other situation where someone needs to be in charge and give orders and someone needs to be subservient and accept them.
     
    Fred Kerr, Jul 6, 2012
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  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Any committee is only as good as it's chairman, one who keeps the discussion on topic, and does not allow those who like the sound of their own voice to repeat points interminable.
    Yes we could sometimes use one of some threads..
     
    RalphW, Jul 6, 2012
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  5. Guest

    Guest Part of the furniture Account Suspended

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    Good Grief - I agree with a Tory!

    Too many people think that because they are a committee or a board member that they "deserve" respect as with gay abandon they lay waste to accumulated assets and volunteer goodwill, rather than that they have a legal and moral duty to do their level best, or take the consequences as trustees if they don't.

    As for chairmen with hubris problems - been there - done that - its the worst of all worlds - especially when they are Masons!
     
    Guest, Jul 6, 2012
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  6. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Having been at a meeting where a long time was spent discussing the shape of the new tables to be ordered for the cafe and where my suggestion that we formed a table shape sub committee did not seem to raise too many eyebrows ...
     
    Martin Perry, Jul 6, 2012
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  7. Austerity

    Austerity Member

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    The original definition of the word 'hubris' (as well as meaning being full of arrogance, presumption and hiss & importance) includes the a description of the perpetrator as soon encountering their nemesis. Railway Preservation is full of these pre-madonnas.

    But never fear Frank-...'meet the new boss-the same as the old boss!...wee wowwnt get fooowled agaaaainnnn! YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAH!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHhrZgojY1Q
     
    Austerity, Jul 6, 2012
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