Website and LBC Records

www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/images/news...News04summer2018.pdf

Colin and I had a long chat yesterday and I am pleased to say that he has agreed to stay on for a little while longer subject to us finding additional people to be involved in specific roles who he can train and handover to. These are:

1. Running the website. Colin will continue to keep it updated but we need a member with knowledge/experience and a keen interest in running websites to learn from Colin with a view to taking over the running of it. If anyone has such experience and interest perhaps they could contact me on chairman@lincsbirdclub.co.uk or 07966 325380.

2. The bird records database that we use to write the annual bird report. Colin has been undertaking a root and branch reform of how we use Wildlife Recorder in order to automate as much data processing as possible and building as full and accurate database as possible. I'm pleased to say he is very close to completing the task for 2017, for which I and the rest of the committee are extremely grateful. Once the system is fully up and running, Colin will need a computer literate person to train up to oversee the task of converting a wide range of data sources including Birdtrack, ebird, RBA, WeBS and others into Wildlife Recorder for 2018 and subsequent years. Again if anyone would like to be involved in this task please contact me. This is the lynchpin of the whole complex process by which the bird report comes into existence from over a quarter of a million different pieces of data and for the person with the right skills and interest it should be an extremely rewarding role.

Finally I'd like to add that Colin has highlighted the tensions that arise between what people hope they can do and what work and family pressures allow them to do. Everyone on the committee and assisting it in running the bird club is a volunteer. We value everyone's contribution and there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Colin has challenged us to raise our game and I believe we will.

Andy Sharp wrote: The site has changed a lot and change is a bugger to manage. I hope you have had a second in command as the membership will have to carry this on now and maybe no one will know what to do.

The website itself takes very little time to manage but some people have an idea which is great, they do it once and then dont bother any more such as
2018 Sightings lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/2018-records .
They did this all excited in February but nothing since even though I have chased many time.

The membership, well we have 60 new members because we offered something new but with no Newsletter for months the new members have dropped off. The 4th Newsletter has been ready since Easter but nothing has been done. I do understand that people can be busy but to do nothing at all is shameful (and bloody annoying).

I will certainly help someone to understand it all as long as people don't expect me to show someone that's not interested or does not want to do it.

Thank you for all your work Colin. The site has changed a lot and change is a bugger to manage. I hope you have had a second in command as the membership will have to carry this on now and maybe no one will know what to do.

I wish you well.

Most of you will be aware that last October I was asked by Phil Hyde if i could "Help" with the website, and since then I have been trying to do just that with a new website and making changes to the way the Sightings Records are stored.

Since my involvement we have a new website, new forum, online joining system, about 60 new members and have produced 3 Newsletters. My whole point was to try to make the LBC more active which for a time worked well.

I have spent over 300 hours in sorting out the club sightings records and finally 3 days ago I completed the task after 5 attempts.
I have spent a fair bit of my own money on certain things as getting money from the LBC is a bit like blood out of a stone.

The last few months have for me been a nightmare with certain committee members not doing what they say they would and finally today they have pushed me to far.
Rather than getting organized with a plan it seems everything has to be done in a panic when its to late and to me there has been very little change in how the club is run since I was on the committee in the 80's

I just cant work like this so i raise a white flag, say sorry to all members and resign, if that is what volunteers do.

I can't say its been a pleasure but I would like to thank certain people.

Colin & Sheila Jennings who work tirelessly on the LBC records
Phil Hyde for all his work on the Lincs List on the website.
John Clarkson for his straight talking approach when asked a question.
Phil Espin for trying to help.
and last but not least the many members who have contacted me.

All the very best to you all.