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1st December 2008, 04:10 PM
I was actually referring to the number of people who post on the site. Having a lot of people registered doesn't make it necessarily representative, although I'd guess that most members (as opposed to those who just view the jobs etc) share broadly the same views. As to whether the bulk of members really don't think much of the IfA or Prospect, who knows? The latest poll on 'crisis, what crisis', despite being about the situation most affecting the most people, has got only 20 votes at last check.
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1st December 2008, 05:16 PM
Sign me up for it. Let's all stop bleating about what to do and actually try and do something.
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1st December 2008, 05:18 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by bob
I was actually referring to the number of people who post on the site.
I think 496 of the 1026 BAJR signees have posted at some time. Thats approaching 50%
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1st December 2008, 05:39 PM
Do what, Ken? how would this new body have any more power than Prospect/Diggers Forum? how would it be more representative? membership of IFA and prospect is volunatary, membership of DF is restricted to the lower rungs.
is this being seen as a body to negotiate with SCAUM?
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1st December 2008, 06:25 PM
Kevin, the fact that half the members have posted once is hardly the point. All I was saying was to watch out as maybe 70% of traffic on here is by maybe 30 odd people, and that if BAJR wants to ensure it represents all its members it needs to be careful, as I believe it is, to get the views of the silent majority (sorry, didn't mean to sounds like the Daily Mail). I was using the Crisis poll as an example to highlight all of this. Extrapolating from tiny groups who make a lot of noise (like me?!) is never good without further research.
BAJR gets heard at the top tables because it has clout, primarily as it is the principle mechanism for advertising, but also as it is seen as a conduit for the opinions of the lower tiers and including BAJR is a way of being seen to be concerned about being inclusive. If BAJR can expand, and show itself to be representative, and speak for us (who are we?) then that is good, and I too can see the potential, but splintering for the sake of it won't help. I want to know what any new group would offer that is different from what the IFA/DF/Prospect are trying to do, and how any expanded BAJR group would do more than it already does!!! I also think one of the biggest problems is that a lot of people don't want to pay subs!
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1st December 2008, 08:18 PM
quote: 'DF membership is restricted to the lower rungs' is this true ?? im sure i know a fair few members who are not 'restricted' also a point to remember; we are all in this together regardless of rank!
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1st December 2008, 08:21 PM
ps. a lot of people cant afford to pay subs is one of the biggest problems in my experience !!!
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1st December 2008, 08:26 PM
I have only one thing to say just now (well maybe two) First.. this is making me think in a very different way than I first thought .. when I posted this... Indeed when bob said.. what more could I do than I am doing already, I realised that as I already do quite a bit of this already, and seem to have trust (which is such a humbling thing) then it would not be such a step.. and rather than being a union, being a confederation... with no subs (though the odd donation for the added travel would be welcome! for the people who would have to be involved) and second.. I need to think about this seriously, and deeply... it is a bold step, and perhaps one that is needed.. will post properly tommorrow.
"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton
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1st December 2008, 09:23 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by Ken Denham
Sign me up for it. Let's all stop bleating about what to do and actually try and do something.
so are you a member of the digger's forum? It is only FIVE quid a year!!!
Jez, Paul and Chris got off their a*ses and formed a Group within the IfA, got people voted onto IfA council, tried to shift the balance of power in the membership of the IfA, engaged in the debate and if they didn't get all they wanted, they at least put the usual suspects on the spot but still people moan about subs and no-one doing anything but bleating. Well they are working away quietly for no reward on top of doing their own jobs, as do all the union officers, plugging away trying to improve life for us all, or are they just bleating?
Sorry, to pick on your post Ken, I'm sure you don't deserve it. There is a need for a range of groups coming from different perspectives and campaigning for different things. The groups already exist to a large extent. Now if David wants to create a separate BAJR group where people sign up to a Charter or statement of intentions, and can elect reps then I would be interested if it was doing something new, but we've a long way to go before we even work out what 'we' want, or who 'we' are.
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1st December 2008, 11:49 PM
I will be talking with Jez on his return from NY (on a well deserved holiday) I would be cautious about placing too much on the DF... being a member myself... I know what is and is not happening... representation within the IfA is definately a good thing... whether that should be in the IfA or talking as equals is another
And yes They have got off there ars .. trouble is... its a lotta work (I know)
ps.. thanks bob for realising that BAJR (or should I say david in this context) does lots behind the scenes.. talking, discussing, listening and helping where I can.... that is something I like doing... but as 'this new BAJR' would not, as to talk on behalf of people is a very different beast.. that is not for one person to do. (I think its known as dictatorship!
)
"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton
