Action Group

[philreckless]

Hi Everyone,

As many of you will know, back in 2002 we invited people to stand for a committee to produce the JT Project double CD. Six of the seven who volunteered, plus two people we co-opted later, are still here, and by default still known as "the committee". Since the CD we’ve each carried on doing what we can, in the time we have available, and quite a lot has been done or is under way. But essentially we are a group of active individuals and not a committee that is representative of any membership group.

We have been discussing for some time the creation of a formal organisation, based on the membership of the various forums and the website, allowing elections to "the committee". After extensive discussions we have now dropped that idea, partly because of the problems we face in formalising an Internet-based group, the issue of membership fees and others – and we can put the time that would have to be spent on admin to better use. So "the committee" have recognised that it is time to lose the name "the committee", and to make it clear that we cannot and do not claim or aim to be representative. We will all continue to work on the various on-going and future projects as an informal organisation of individuals in an Action Group, a name that more accurately reflects what we are and do, and we invite anyone who is willing to help to join us.

We think we achieve most when individuals or groups work together doing what they are interested in. On-going projects involving "committee" members include a forthcoming live CD of Jake, the much anticipated Tramshed CD and video, and a continuing dialogue with EMI. We feel this should continue, and it will. But we think that, in the light of recent comments, this is a good time to actively seek other people who have time, skills, knowledge or contacts that they are prepared to use to benefit this community. At the same time, those who merely ‘lurk’ or get involved in the various discussion areas are encouraged to just carry on as they are.

From time to time, most recently a couple of weeks ago, I have asked in the forums for anyone ready to help, or to stand for the committee to get in touch, but have never had a volunteer. No problem; we all have busy lives after all, and perhaps people don’t see a need. But without the people, things won’t get done. So please, if you DO have anything to offer the community, now is the time to offer it. The other members of the Action Group will be here to help and/or advise you if you need it. As examples, we are aware of these current projects that involve people not on "the committee": Ian Watson is working on Jake’s Yorkshire Post columns, and Ian Burdon (together with Gordon Tennent) is negotiating with the BBC with a view to getting TV programmes out on video/DVD. But any help at all is valuable.

If you’re one of the 4-500 members of each forum and you’re happy, enjoying the ‘festivals’, buying stuff that comes out – great! You need do nothing but support what is being done. We will update the forums as and when we have news to tell. But if you are by nature a "doer", if you want to join the Action Group to help or to start something new off, get in touch. If you want to start something else of your own accord, please get on and do it! (If you let us know, we may be able to help with advice.) And if you have any good ideas, post them on one of the forums and see if anyone takes them up; of course we’ll do what we can to help, and we may be able to match volunteers and ideas.

OK, there we have it. I hope that clarifies things. If you want to know more, volunteer or have queries, you are welcome to get in touch via the various means – topica, yahoo or the website, or me personally if you prefer.
All the Best

Phil McGinity
Action Group Member

🙂

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