Cavematt
Well-known member
To clarify a few facts in the above discussion (Badlad is correct in his statements):
At the AGM a clear written mandate was produced as part of my proposal to accompany the standing of Gary as the new BCA Webmaster (Note; this is a different position to Web Services). This mandate was intended to allow overhaul of some of the outdated back-end BCA systems including the way the BCA interacts with its members and the way members interact with the BCA (e.g. membership database functions and BCA online).
Quoted from my proposal:
"This is more than just a cosmetic refurbishment of the public facing pages. The BCA should take advantage of Gary?s offer; to redevelop the BCA website, including internal and external communications systems, the public website, the behind-the-scenes systems, and BCA online."
The proposal also specifically detailed the exact accesses Gary would need.
The AGM provided instruction to BCA Council to appoint Gary on this basis, which they did. I can confirm that at the meeting at Hidden Earth, the Web Services Officer clarified that he is refusing to provide Gary the necessary accesses to fulfil my proposal. Gary?s level of access at the moment is limited to the public facing website only (something he has nonetheless done a lot of work on, and a beta-version of a redesigned website will hopefully be available in the coming months).
I need to be absolutely clear; if BCA wish to email our members about anything, or wish to implement any changes relating to any back-end systems (e.g. relating to membership or how any of our databases work), the current Web Services Officer is, I believe, the only person elected by BCA Council or members who has the access and knowledge to do this. He has shown willing to disregard the wishes of BCA members if he doesn?t personally agree. He therefore has the BCA held by the b*llocks in that respect.
Clearly this is a terrible situation for any organisation to find itself in, but one which we have no choice but to live with as the situation is a stalemate and nobody can agree who is right.
I do not wish to disrespect the amount of work the current Web Services Officer does for BCA (much of it is good). However I cannot help but be disappointed by what has happened over these last few months as it represents a barrier to the extent of modernisation I wished to see initiated this year. I hope this can be resolved before the Vision Group report in 2020, because their recommendations are likely to be much further reaching than anything I have come up with and will require absolute cooperation from the entire BCA team to implement.
On a separate note, a request has now been submitted to BCA Council to try to stop BCA Officers using UK Caving to make cavers aware of such goings-on in the BCA. I can assure everyone that I have no intention of being silenced and I expect BCA Council will dismiss this request. Nonetheless I am posting this as myself personally and not in my capacity (or using my login) as BCA Secretary to avoid any confusion and to clarify that the above is not an official BCA statement; simply my personal narrative and interpretation of the current situation.
On a separate lighter note, let's celebrate some excellent work that has happened in the BCA over the past few months. Hellie has visited Westminster to push the CRoW matter with MPs and the Glover report has specifically acknowledged caving in its recommendations regarding countryside access, all thanks to the work BCA volunteers have put in to raise the profile of this issue. The BCA now have loads of 'New to Caving' leaflets to see our sport promoted nationally, and Jane Allen organised an excellent stall at Hidden Earth (if you haven't read the Publication and Information Officer's report yet then you should... it is great). There's been some excellent work done looking at Radon, something which I'm sure we can all agree that a better understanding of is in all cavers interests. The Youth and Development team have been making real benefits for younger cavers and identifying more ways the BCA can support them; just see the last BCA newsletter for examples. Other work has continued in all of the BCA's key facets including conservation, access, training and equipment and techniques, and the BCA has continued to fund our Regional Councils in their work.
Therefore, all issues aside, the BCA is a valuable organisation, so let's stay positive and hope the above difficult situations can work themselves out.
Matt Ewles
At the AGM a clear written mandate was produced as part of my proposal to accompany the standing of Gary as the new BCA Webmaster (Note; this is a different position to Web Services). This mandate was intended to allow overhaul of some of the outdated back-end BCA systems including the way the BCA interacts with its members and the way members interact with the BCA (e.g. membership database functions and BCA online).
Quoted from my proposal:
"This is more than just a cosmetic refurbishment of the public facing pages. The BCA should take advantage of Gary?s offer; to redevelop the BCA website, including internal and external communications systems, the public website, the behind-the-scenes systems, and BCA online."
The proposal also specifically detailed the exact accesses Gary would need.
The AGM provided instruction to BCA Council to appoint Gary on this basis, which they did. I can confirm that at the meeting at Hidden Earth, the Web Services Officer clarified that he is refusing to provide Gary the necessary accesses to fulfil my proposal. Gary?s level of access at the moment is limited to the public facing website only (something he has nonetheless done a lot of work on, and a beta-version of a redesigned website will hopefully be available in the coming months).
I need to be absolutely clear; if BCA wish to email our members about anything, or wish to implement any changes relating to any back-end systems (e.g. relating to membership or how any of our databases work), the current Web Services Officer is, I believe, the only person elected by BCA Council or members who has the access and knowledge to do this. He has shown willing to disregard the wishes of BCA members if he doesn?t personally agree. He therefore has the BCA held by the b*llocks in that respect.
Clearly this is a terrible situation for any organisation to find itself in, but one which we have no choice but to live with as the situation is a stalemate and nobody can agree who is right.
I do not wish to disrespect the amount of work the current Web Services Officer does for BCA (much of it is good). However I cannot help but be disappointed by what has happened over these last few months as it represents a barrier to the extent of modernisation I wished to see initiated this year. I hope this can be resolved before the Vision Group report in 2020, because their recommendations are likely to be much further reaching than anything I have come up with and will require absolute cooperation from the entire BCA team to implement.
On a separate note, a request has now been submitted to BCA Council to try to stop BCA Officers using UK Caving to make cavers aware of such goings-on in the BCA. I can assure everyone that I have no intention of being silenced and I expect BCA Council will dismiss this request. Nonetheless I am posting this as myself personally and not in my capacity (or using my login) as BCA Secretary to avoid any confusion and to clarify that the above is not an official BCA statement; simply my personal narrative and interpretation of the current situation.
On a separate lighter note, let's celebrate some excellent work that has happened in the BCA over the past few months. Hellie has visited Westminster to push the CRoW matter with MPs and the Glover report has specifically acknowledged caving in its recommendations regarding countryside access, all thanks to the work BCA volunteers have put in to raise the profile of this issue. The BCA now have loads of 'New to Caving' leaflets to see our sport promoted nationally, and Jane Allen organised an excellent stall at Hidden Earth (if you haven't read the Publication and Information Officer's report yet then you should... it is great). There's been some excellent work done looking at Radon, something which I'm sure we can all agree that a better understanding of is in all cavers interests. The Youth and Development team have been making real benefits for younger cavers and identifying more ways the BCA can support them; just see the last BCA newsletter for examples. Other work has continued in all of the BCA's key facets including conservation, access, training and equipment and techniques, and the BCA has continued to fund our Regional Councils in their work.
Therefore, all issues aside, the BCA is a valuable organisation, so let's stay positive and hope the above difficult situations can work themselves out.
Matt Ewles