I see in the last newsletter that TBC donated £300 to Tees Ringing Group.
I'm sure all the other ringers/ringing groups operating within Cleveland would also appreciate a similar donation in future years, to replace their old equipment.
I was chairman of the trustees at the time when this donation was made and reading the minutes and recalling from memory, the discussion at the time, there were two issues considered.
Firstly did the donation go towards an activity which met the objectives of the club's constition? Yes.
Secondly, was there a benefit to the club itself? In the case of this ringing group, their data were supplied annually for inclusion in the club's annual report.
On these bases, it was agreed to award the money for the itemised goods specified and formally requested by the particular ringing group.
If any other individual or body feels they have a similarly justifiable case, then a formal application can be submitted for consideration by the trustees.
Ali McLee ( vice chairman)
Were members aware that such donations from the club were available to be applied for?
A list of suitable applicants and the amount available should be perhaps displayed on the website every year and then ordinary members can have some say on which project/projects the clubs money goes to.
Perhaps it's just the way you have worded your response but you seem to suggest that only Tees Ringing Group data is forwarded to the club for inclusion in the ringing section of the report. Some of the ringers/ringing groups have been submitting their data to the club since the 1970's and continue to do so.
Dealing with your second point first, the club is certainly aware of and delighted to receive your group's annual data for the report - would that others we have asked in the past were as generously spirited. You pehaps got that impression because I was writing generally since the whole matter had been raised in this forum and was thus for general consumption by members - no matter as things are clear now to all.
On your first point now, I shall ask the chairman to agenda your proposal at the next trustees' meeting on 1st May. My personal view is that it is a very prescribed way of going about things and is likely to generate more heat than light among the chosen and the not chosen. To draw up some schedule of recipient categories, merit rating of funding requests and some annual budget is I feel a complete minefield for the the club. Far better for applications to be presented and review using some broad set of guidelines as I have mentioned earler.
You seem to have missed my point in that were club members aware of the fact that they could apply for such funds. Has it been mentioned at meetings or newsletters. If so then fine. A shame that others don't provide data to the benefit of the club.I wasn't aware that there were issues here.
There has been no advertisement to members that applications for funding could be made. As I explained above, the particular grant to a ringing group did not evolve along such a pathway.
I thought as much. Thanks for your 'input'
Must admit this payment also rather surprised me. I guess anyone helping to further the enjoyment/conservation/recording of birds is therefore welcome to apply for a grant. I would guess as a precedent has now been set all the ringing groups that contribute data will be entitled to a grant to buy their nets. It will be interesting to see if more requests also come in for grants for nestboxes, bins for groups etc.
While I am thinking about it can I apply for a grant for some new bins if I submit what I see with them as this will also fulfil the objectives above ::)
Quote from: Jamie on April 11, 2012, 05:20:15 PM
Must admit this payment also rather surprised me. I guess anyone helping to further the enjoyment/conservation/recording of birds is therefore welcome to apply for a grant. I would guess as a precedent has now been set all the ringing groups that contribute data will be entitled to a grant to buy their nets. It will be interesting to see if more requests also come in for grants for nestboxes, bins for groups etc.
While I am thinking about it can I apply for a grant for some new bins if I submit what I see with them as this will also fulfil the objectives above ::)
I agree, I was not aware this happened and am equally surprised. I would personally prefer my subs to benefit birds in some way (winter feeding, habitat creation etc) or even all birders (hides etc). Also why just ringers, what about all of the birders who have for decades submitted literally thousands of records. And what about the many people who have devoted vast amounts of time (and a fair bit of their own money at times) to the production of our flagship report. Not a dig at anyone in particular, just an observation that lots of us would like donations to what is in essence our chosen hobby!
Cheers
Richard
I really don't have a problem with this. In fact I'm glad the club is making use of it's funds to support local birding related activities. Perhaps there should be some mention in the annual report that such funds are available, but I'm not entirely sure even that is necessary, especially now, though not everyone has access to the internet.
A group using their initiative made an application to the club for a grant/donation and it was granted. Anyone could have applied for a grant and provided the application met the criteria it may have been awarded - this application just happened to be from a ringing group.
I think it would have been nice if the club had done a little "We are pleased to announce..." article on this in the newsletter telling members about it and why the grant was given which I am sure was for a good reason. Currently the only way that the members of the club found our how 'their' money was been spent was a couple of lines in the treasures report. The Records Committee were persuaded by the club to be a bit more open hence their regular announcements here. Perhaps the main committee should also be a little more open....