Yesterday was rather a dramatic and busy day for me; I was contacted by email, PM on here, Whatsapp, text message and spent two hours on the phone last night, all with/from people trying to urge me to reconsider my choice to step aside. This is in addition to the posts above. The contact came also from several existing members of BCA Council.
I have been staggered by the enthusiasm for change; it has exceeded my expectations.
It seems that I have made a mistake. During my holiday last week, the ?final straw? for me was a very disappointing discussion with one existing and highly respected (by me and many others) member of BCA council. This played on my mind during my holiday and it really got to me; not least because this person is someone I respect immensely, and had not expected to be so opposed to the fairly radical modernisation I wish to see happen.
One of the biggest concerns I keep hearing is how bad it will be if key BCA individuals, who currently do a large amount of the work, are upset by these proposals and leave. I have heard it described as a potential disaster waiting to happen. I am certainly not here to upset anyone or cause any disasters.
It seems that more people support a modernising agenda than I had expected. I have been made aware in the last few days of numerous clubs and individuals who were going to turn up to the BCA AGM specifically to vote in favour of BCA modernisation; and some younger BCA council members who were considering stepping aside had this not happened. I have also had a long discussion by phone with an alternative modernising BCA Secretary candidate who was willing to take on the role, albeit reluctantly. He has been rather persuasive on me to step back into the arena.
Therefore, after some reflection, I am back, to stand as Secretary and to see my proposals to fruition.
This time, I go forward with confidence of a good show of support for my proposals, not only from UK Caving users (who have been nothing but supportive) but also from many individuals and clubs who I have heard over the past few days are going to be voting at the BCA AGM in June.
I also take on board Pitlamp?s characteristically very diplomatic and commonsense comment that there is no humiliation in putting forward well considered proposals that get rejected.
I am also encouraged to know that I will be joined on BCA Council by several other very progressive thinkers, who have voiced support not only for the vision I have personally presented, but beyond that. Thank you to Louise for putting yourself forward and publishing your statement here; I?m looking forward to working with you.
So apologies all for my ?wobble? and allowing a small handful of people to rattle my cage. It is clear that the time is now for cavers to rekindle their interest in our National Body and move it forwards out of the rut it is currently in, ideally with support from as many cavers as possible, young and old, newcomers as well as BCA stalwarts.
Even if you feel that this is ?too much too fast? I?d urge you to see the opportunity here and respect that many people do want to see change. People DO want a better website, greater opportunities to participate electronically, and a national body that can be proud of and perceive as being more than just an insurance broker (which of course it is, as Pegasus has shown). Younger cavers are discussing our National Body more than any time I can remember. The BCA must embrace this, and I urge that all those with reservations about what changes may lay ahead to try to overcome these and work with the modernisers rather than against them.
It?s also worth saying that the term ?old guard? used here by some people can be interpreted different ways. It is easy to interpret this as a bunch of people who have held various roles for a long time and who are keen to keep control, and to view these people in the wrong light or talk about them disrespectfully, or to make assumptions about their motives. The term was used in this way five years ago to describe the then incumbent CNCC Officers. I see the term more as meaning individuals who have given up huge amounts of their free time to work in the interests of British Caving, and whose efforts should be acknowledged, and praised, regardless of whether you agree with their approaches. Mutual respect is needed if we are to move forward... but move forward we must!
I want the upcoming AGM to be about progress and positivity, not about personality clashes or regional disagreements. I hope to see lots of you (including individuals and club reps) there in June.
Matt Ewles
The new advert gives a more positive message. I showed the above at the start of my report at the last, ill fated (for me personally) BCA meeting - it was met with stony silence, I knew then it was going to be all down hill from there. I had actually been excited to show what I'd been up to since the last meeting only to have procedure thrown in my face 
