strathspey@strathspey.org:44893

john.m.sturrock

The RSCDS Constitution

March 29, 2006, 1:03 p.m. (Message 44893)

On the 20th March, Chris Ronald wrote : -


> Hello Strathspeyers,
>
> This message is addressed to the RSCDS members on the list - which I 
> assume
> means most subscribers.
>
> HQ is proposing a number of changes to the Constitution, which it plans to
> submit to the AGM in November. They have just been posted in draft form on 
> the
> HQ website "for consultation with Branches and members".  Overall,  they 
> seem
> designed to further streamline the management arrangements that  were
> introduced three years ago.


I had expected this to prompt a lengthy debate on  strathspey.  Instead, 
almost at the same time, a discussion started regarding chords. This took on 
a life of its own, lasting a week, to the exclusion of most other topics. 
While very interesting in itself, nothing that was said was ever likely to 
change the future of SCD  -  as one correspondent remarked, it is always 
likely that each area will stick to its own customs.  Now that that 
discussion has run its course, perhaps we might turn back to the topic that 
could be significant to the future  -  the re-writing of the RSCDS 
Constitution.  Membership of the Society has roughly halved over the last 16 
years, and we must be coming to some sort of crunch.  Added to that, my own 
observations of dancing in many places lead me to estimate that less than 
10% of those dancing regularly in the Milligan tradition, are actually 
members of the Society.

The current Constitution was ratified less than 17 months ago, and the 
previous Constitution only 24 months before that.  Given the current 
situation of the Society, one has to wonder if constant re-writing is in its 
own best interests, if the new one will prove any more workable than the 
old, and if limited management time would not be better employed facing 
problems within the bounds of the existing Constitution(s)?

The proposed new Constitution can be found on the Society website by logging 
in as a member, in the top right hand corner, BEFORE clicking either 
'What's Changed'  or  'News'.   Among other things, it appears to grant 
future responsibility for future Constitutions, to a newly shrunk Management 
Board.

I think debate could be very illuminating.  Someone, somewhere, perhaps far 
from Scotland, might just bring up something that changes the course of 
SCD...

John M Sturrock
Cupar UK