JoshW
Well-known member
It is with great sadness that I am standing down from my role as Youth and Development representative and convenor of the Y&D working group with effect from the upcoming AGM.
Over my 5 years in this working group, and 2 and a half years in this role, I am incredible proud of the work that we as a team have done to make strides towards making caving a more accessible sport.
Some particular highlights have been assisting CHECC with managing university clubs through a pandemic, helping with training, funding and paperwork as required, setting up multiple kit stores around the UK for university groups to borrow kit from and most recently providing funding to the Bendrigg Trust for the UK’s first caving festival aimed at improving inclusivity in caving.
I would like to say thank you to Howard Jones who has been a constant source of support during my time in this role, and Rostam Namaghi who brought me into this working group which has opened up so many opportunities for me to develop my skills as a negotiator, trainer and strategist.
During my time in role I tried to take steps to reconnect cavers with our National Body, by improving communication and transparency, but have become disillusioned with the course we have taken. This has culminated in some very important roles being vacant and not advertised at all.
This organisation has a huge amount of potential to achieve great things, however I struggle to see this potential being achieved with the current structure and personnel on council. I will happily consider stepping back into an active role on council if and when I see these changing. In the meantime I remain in place as insurance manager, and will be looking for more local opportunities to further develop caving, such as with CNCC, or my caving clubs.
Over my 5 years in this working group, and 2 and a half years in this role, I am incredible proud of the work that we as a team have done to make strides towards making caving a more accessible sport.
Some particular highlights have been assisting CHECC with managing university clubs through a pandemic, helping with training, funding and paperwork as required, setting up multiple kit stores around the UK for university groups to borrow kit from and most recently providing funding to the Bendrigg Trust for the UK’s first caving festival aimed at improving inclusivity in caving.
I would like to say thank you to Howard Jones who has been a constant source of support during my time in this role, and Rostam Namaghi who brought me into this working group which has opened up so many opportunities for me to develop my skills as a negotiator, trainer and strategist.
During my time in role I tried to take steps to reconnect cavers with our National Body, by improving communication and transparency, but have become disillusioned with the course we have taken. This has culminated in some very important roles being vacant and not advertised at all.
This organisation has a huge amount of potential to achieve great things, however I struggle to see this potential being achieved with the current structure and personnel on council. I will happily consider stepping back into an active role on council if and when I see these changing. In the meantime I remain in place as insurance manager, and will be looking for more local opportunities to further develop caving, such as with CNCC, or my caving clubs.
