The Role of the Committee – a Personal View

Having been a novice member of our club’s committee for almost 2 years, I would like to share with you my view on what I’ve seen in my short time there. I know there are a lot of you that have “served your time” on the committee, so apologies if I’m only saying what you already know.

To someone from Essex, having lived there all my life until June 2003, but not born there so cannot be called an Essex Boy, the role of committees to a “southern boy” could have cast an image of people meeting in darkened rooms, wearing flat caps, and talking in a strange dialect – a popular misconception about “northerners”. Aside from the strange dialect, which I am gradually getting used to, this image couldn’t be further from the truth.

Having only been a member of the club since 2003 / 2004, I had been on several hut weekends with serving committee members, and when a new Chairman was to be elected, an opportunity arose whereby I might get a chance to give something back. I’m not one for just sitting back, and taking without giving. Those of you that know something of my past, know I am a Ju Jitsu Black Belt, and in that role, I was used to organising events, teaching classes, and generally giving my time freely to the students under me. To me it was a hobby, as is the Burnley Mountaineering Club, and if I can give something back to help more people enjoy what I do, then that’s all I ask.

My first attempt to join the committee was foiled at the AGM election, primarily as few members actually knew who I was. Not being put off, I hoped another chance would come my way. In the meantime, I was able to learn a lot about myself and what I wanted from the club – I’ve met some great people, made some good friends, and am slowly learning a craft that I never thought I would – fell walking. Something I know we all take for granted now we’re “old hands”, but experience shows us that we always have something to learn. I have been very lucky to have gained a walking partner and good friend in Victor Marcinkiewiecz – someone who gives his time freely, shares his experiences, and just lives to walk the hills. We walk regularly on both club events, and in Rossendale where we both now live. I know some of you experienced one of my led walks in Rossendale in 2007.

My second attempt to get on the committee was successful, and I joined as a General Member with no specific role. Even in this role it was a ongoing learning role, enabling me to pick up on what the respective members do. With nine other members of the committee I gained a greater respect for the workings of the club, as well as the committee’s efforts for the club. I’m sure we all think we could do a better job at various times but the current committee really do work hard and for no personal gain other than trying their best for the members :

• Chairman (Steve Young)
• Vice Chairman (Steve Maden) – also acts as Newsletter editor
• Treasurer (Mike Squires)
• Bookings Secretary (Gill Young)
• Hut Secretary (Roy Haythornthwaite)
• Merchandise (John Wilmot)
• Librarian (Antony Lord)
• Social Secretary (Marie Phelan)
• Secretary (Myself)
• General Member (Paul Darcy)

With a big committee, I’m sure some members wonder if some roles could be doubled up but this is not the case. Although three members of the current committee are now retired, the rest of us all have day jobs – any work that we do for the club, is done wholeheartedly but in our own time. I know from my previous life with Ju Jitsu, this can sometimes take over your private life to the extent that you may spend more time with your friends than your family. It’s good to have an “understanding partner”.

I know our current chairman puts in a lot of his time, as do other committee members, to try to make the club remain what it is – a fell walking and mountaineering club. Whilst our climbing section is small, we do cater for both and always welcome new members who wish to walk the fells or climb, or do both.

When the outgoing Chairman (Peter Walker) decided to stand down, after more than 25 years in that role – devoting his time and efforts to get the club where it is today – the natural successor was Steve Young. Nothing has really changed that much with the general running of the club, just the personalities. People do things differently because we are all different.

In our constant efforts to keep the club where it belongs, it’s these new personalities and younger people on the committee that add their input in trying to help guide the club into a new era.

Whilst one of our responsibilities is to give the existing members a comprehensive timetable for events from which they can choose what they want to do each year, one of the problems that faces all clubs is attracting new members. Having attended many committee meetings, I know we aren’t just sitting back and thinking “new members will come flooding in, once they hear how good we are”.

Unfortunately, nowadays, there are too many choices available to people as to how they wish to spend their leisure time, and because of that, all clubs suffer. Like it or not, and please accept this is as an observation only, not an ageism comment, but the Burnley Mountaineering Club does have an ageing membership and younger people of today can sometimes be put off what appears to be a club for the older generation. Whilst this is an obvious perception, I’m sure all the existing members will agree with me that the ages of the members doesn’t matter as this brings a wealth of experience, and should be used by the younger prospective members as something to learn from. Aside from the obvious walking and/or climbing, those that have attended the regular Coach Meets, Huts, and Youth Hostel meets, will agree with me that having a good time is our only priority.

Much as we all like our comfort zones, and sometimes think about how good the past may have been, we cannot live in the past. The club has got to move with the times, and the members of the committee are making every effort to guide the club in that direction. This may, over time, involve changes that may not appear to be of an immediate benefit for the club, but that is all part of change. This is something all the members need to understand. Please also remember, we are not professionals at this – we are amateurs trying our best to be professional in everything we do. We are not seeking any profit.

One of the biggest assets to any club in this day and age, is having a website, and I would like to praise our current Librarian and unofficial webmaster (Antony Lord) for the current website at www.burnleymountaineering.co.uk – a lot of time and effort has gone into giving the club a new medium that I feel is great for describing who we are, and what we do. Having said that, it is upto the members to regularly submit articles to be published on the website, to the webmaster or our Chairman (info@burnleymountaineering.co.uk). Postal details for those that do not have access to the internet, can be found on the website.

This club has been in existence for over 50 years (formed in 1952) and is moving with the times. With the current committee at the helm, and as long as I feel I have something to give, I for one am happy to remain on the committee for as long as the membership wants me.

Please remember this is only my personal view. The committee are all members of this club, and have been elected by the membership at the AGM. I would like to thank the committee for their continuing efforts to keep this club growing. Without the members, the committee would have no role.

Please continue to support the club in any way you can, and if you feel you have an idea that might benefit the club, please speak to a committee member.

Stuart McDonald (Secretary)