NWR Area Organisers' Workshop 2008 Campanile Hotel, Birmingham - 16th - 17th May, 2008 The Workshop was organised by Mary, the Communications Coordinator and attended by 17, out of 20, Area Organisers, June Nash (Trustee), Eilis Coffey(Thorn), and Kathryn Buckman, ahead of becoming Membership Coordinator on the 1st June. On Friday afternoon those AOs who could be there in time joined for a visit to the Birmingham Art Gallery in the centre of town. This was vey successful (apart from the rather Beatle-like Magical Mystery tour which preceded the actual arrival at the town centre parking garage!). The aim of these afternoon activities are to find an interesting venue which will be both enjoyable and educational as well as provide subject matter for discussion should there ever be a pregnant silence around the supper table. If anyone has an urge to visit a specific site, as long as it is accessible in the time frame and travel possibilities please let the Co-ordinators know. On Friday evening we all met in the conference room and a presentation was made to Eilis who has retired after 9 years as Membership Coordinator for NWR. She has worked tirelessly, and forged many friendships in that time, and will be sorely missed, particularly by Mary. Sarah Ahktar was presented with some flowers, a card with a cheque and was thanked for her hard work over 16 years as the Area Organiser in Staffordshire. She is succeeded by Marilyn Vigurs who joined us on Saturday. Everyone was instructed (by Mary!) to help themselves to wine, give each other appropriate fridge magnets and mingle. After dinner we spent some time considering ideas for 2010 - NWR's 50th Anniversary. The brainstorming produced an abundance of ideas, despite (or because of) the wine consumed before and during dinner. SATURDAY WORKSHOP 1: Some successful and not so successful events Sarah was not allowed to get off lightly, having been asked by Mary to give us a review of her 16 years as an AO. To provide a basis for her report she had devised a questionnaire, about area meetings/events, for the groups in her area. The results were presented, with some technological help from her successor, Marilyn. In summary, successful area meetings involved: A theme Participation (quizzes are always popular) Food and drink A central location It was interesting that the majority of groups that responded felt that they would sort out their own problems, rather that contact their AO or the MC. Sarah talked about various events that she had organised which prompted some lively discussion about the best way to get groups together. Leek's revival was also discussed - now known as Staffordshire Moorlands. SATURDAY WORKSHOP 2: Area Development Large groups - how do they cope? The result of a survey of the largest groups was provided. There are approximately 10 groups with membership of around 40. 'Coping with Success' ideas sheet discussed (available if required) Pauline Reymond reported the way in which the Seaford group operates. It was interesting to hear that there are 3 sub-groups that have been spawned by the group splitting, based on date of joining. Although they exist as one group on the National data-base, they are three groups which each have their own separate programme. Mentoring as a way to maintain and enlist AOs. This could operate either as role- sharing, or as shadowing to prepare to take over. In either case there would be support for each other. Countering Parochialism The discussion produced various ideas: Needs supply of new members - local publicity; bring a friend evening As far as possible curtail the personal chat time which enforces cliques and makes newcomers feel like outsiders Make people stand up to collect their coffee from a central point rather than handing around Arrange for a new member to meet a smaller group e.g. a coffee morning before the first meeting Reinstate coffee mornings All groups to organise/take part in organising an event SATURDAY WORKSHOP 3: Website Mary gave us a tour of the Members' only Site and everyone was very complimentary. The FAQs were reviewed and will be updated in due course. Further suitable items for the new Members' Only site were discussed and reviewed. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE ROLE OF AN AREA ORGANISER