Proposal for structure of the NHC going forward

[admin]

Putting this out now that the competition is wrapped up for this year.

I have been looking at the structure of other groups similar to ourselves in other countries, and the way they structure themselves, and here's a suggestion:

President - mostly a figurehead role, but also has PR functions
Treasurer - money man (or woman)
Secretary -
Competition Officer - obvious
Education and Training Offier - organise and promote eduaction within the organisation
Website/Engineering - looks after the IT nuts and bolts
Communities Development - promotes development of homebrew groups with the help of head office
Marketing/brand management - may also include publishing a newsletter

All these roles are elected annually. It can be advantageous to have a limit of tenure, say two terms, to prevent individuals becoming ensconced and the organisation stagnating.

The organisation would usually meet several times a year, with one meet being an AGM.

In addition each club sends two members and with the above people the steering committee is formed.

Clubs are entirely autonomous and can decide their own internal structure if they want to.

Thoughts?

[matthewdick23]

looks good

[JimmyM]

I like the sound of it - some of them could require more than one person - maybe not elected, but draughted in on a team headed by the elected person.

[Tom]

AFAIK the secretary is responsible for 'doing' the minutes of any meetings. I suppose typing up memos might go in that category? That's it in our Panto committee anyway.

[Will_D]

In addition each club sends two members and with the above people the steering committee is formed.

Clubs are entirely autonomous and can decide their own internal structure if they want to.

I don't like the word Club being used to refer to the regional groupings.

If you call them clubs then by definition the NHC becomes an Association.

I don't think thats what you mean surely?

Have no problems with the regional groups sending 2 reps up to the AGM but sureley in this electronic age then if the 2 reps don't want to or are not able to travel then they e-mail in their comments and proxys when it comes to voting at the AGM

[Padraic]

Looks good to me!

I think formality would be a good idea, I like the 2 year office limit because otehrwise poor dempsey will be the treasurer for ever!! I'd nearly say make treasury a 1 year office as it's a pain of a job that should be rotated!

The other offices, I have no problems with term lengths, I don't know if they need a 2 year limit, but it might be a good way to get new people involved!

[Padraic]

The other offices, I have no problems with term lengths, I don't know if they need a 2 year limit, but it might be a good way to get new people involved!

People could be returned if unopposed when their limit of tenure is up.

I have since added in a Education/Training role which I had forgotten about until I saw Padraic's name on the screen. This isn't common in other countries, but we're relatively far behind when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Dunno why I reminded you of education/training?

Probably because I need a lot of educating....

[Greg2013]

I think the education and training role is going to be a fairly heavy duty one. As tube says we are way behind other countries on the home brew scene( at least i think thats what he meant) and there is not the abundance of help and information out there automatically that you get in other countries like USA and Australia.

I think going forward the above role will be one of the most important if not THE most inportant. Nothing pisses off a newbie more than not being able to find answers locally( well me anyway).

Formality does have one huge disadvantage though that i have seen eventually in all other clubs and thats the dreaded Clique. Don't want that to happen here so i agree limit terms but disagree with Padraic, once out no officer should be returned to same role regardless of whether they are unopposed or not.

[Greg2013]

I for one would like to see a bit more activity from the south east guys whoever ye are

[newToBrew]

I for one would like to see a bit more activity from the south east guys whoever ye are

hey - Careful now - Down with that sort of thing ... that would be an ecumenical matter !!

i guess it is something we will need to discuss as a group (S.E. group) - in principle I have no issues with what is being suggested - in practice I don't know that I would be suited to any of the roles - given personal  time constraints - commitments ect.

[Partridge9]

I like a lot of what is proposed -

I also like the idea if the term limit - very important - don't want people emotionally attached to roles.

I can see the logic of two years as one year is very short to get shit done.

I have some ideas/suggestions around the roles - but overall I like it

[JimmyM]

I have some ideas/suggestions around the roles - but overall I like it

let your fingers do the talking

[Greg2013]

new to brew you should drop me a pm. By activity i meant posting on the south east section already on here. Damn thing is like a ghost town but thats enough hijacking

My question is why do we need to make this club so formal? Do we really have enough members and impetus to warrant it and to make it work for all members? If its going to be a case of one side of the country running the whole show it will cause issues.

Only asking is all, since i see so little activity from down my neck of the woods i don't see how it would benefit us southerners?

[Will_D]

On the role of Treasurer:

It is stressful, hard work, and not every one is qualified to do it (if you want some horror stories PM me about the Rugby club finances).

Seriously, If you have a Treasurer that is good and every one is happy with him, and he is happy to carry on then so be it!

Another suggestion:

We elect a comittee this year, first time.

After 1 year half the comittee are re-elected.

The next year t'other half are re-elected.

Then repeat

This way you keep a consistent ethos running thro' the club as you don't have a whole new comittee comming in.

Another consideration is that chairman/ceo/he who has done most of the work becomes President as a thank you for his/her hardwork

[johnrm]

This all sounds pretty good.
I think there will always be an imbalance in favor of the population centres, but that's Ireland for you.
I put my hand up for a technical role, Im not really one for the limelight.
(From a pub in Warrington  ;-) )