I received a letter this morning (a miracle in itself) giving notice that the EOC is closing at the end of the year.

For the last 2 years at the clubs AGMs members were asked for volunteers to fill certain positions on the committee ,nobody came forward .Minutes were sent out to the 260+ members so nobody could say they didnot know there were vacancies as suggested on the folk F.B. page.

Hi Shady

I'm afraid it is a sign of the times. .......and it will probably get worse.

I have been Fixtures Secretary for 14 years for a very large Table Tennis League. For the last 6 years we have been unable to replace our Publicity Officer despite everything we have tried. Our Competitions Secretary is 80 next year and retiring so we are having to split his responsibilities between us. We finally got someone new to join the Committee this month as a Divisional Rep but he is 76...!

My own Table Tennis club runs 6 league teams teams but our Chair resigned in May and we are still without anyone to step up and I have been acting Chair alongside my Club Secretary role! Our President is 93 and failing fast.

The way society is going more and more clubs and societies will go the way of the Owners Club as people prepared to volunteer become scarcer

MikeT

Even 25 years ago, when I was on the committee for a youth group, we found it increasingly difficult to get new committee members or anyone for the leadership positions. Later on with other organisations it was repeated. I have helped out where I can but eventually with no one to support the 'back office' of organisations things fail and cease.

People prefer the 'public facing' side of things and don't put any thought into what it takes to run and manage it.

The answer to this, IMHO, is to introduce 'term limits' into any formal position. I have seen this in a number of organisations and, indeed, have instigated it in others. For example, a position may only be held for 3 years (with perhaps an option to serve a second term of 3 year) After that, the incumbent must stand down. This achieves a number of things. It allows someone to occupy a post and stand down with good grace after serving their tenure. It means that people can stand for a position, knowing it will not be a life sentence and, finally, it prevents people holding positions for many years becoming 'sacred cows' that no one would suggest should stand down, regardless of their dwindling effectiveness over the years. Admittedly, it can take a while to be truly embraced, but it is worth persevering. It brings fresh eyes, experiences and skills to any organisation, which can only make them a better body.

My two penn'orth