Candidates and Motions
It’s time to use your vote again. For those that may not know, the Executive Council (often called the “EC”) is made up of 16 members, all of whom give their time free, although they can claim expenses for travel and other items. The EC is our board of management and meets 4 or 5 times a year to discuss the issues, administration, marketing and finance of the organisation, forming strategies and policies as a result. Eight of those elected are regional representatives, one from each of our regions. Only members in that region can vote for them. The others have specific areas of responsibility - President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Sports Officer, International Officer, Youth Officer, Public Relations Officer and Research & Liaison Officer. All 16 have one vote each at meetings. The EC has the power to co-opt a member to a post unfilled at an election. In addition some posts are currently unfilled, since the EC has chosen not to co-opt anyone at present. All posts are elected for 2 years with half the posts being elected each year, to avoid wholesale change in personnel and ensure continuity after the AGM. You will find a list of the current officers and representatives in the contact page.
Please find below the personal declarations and election addresses of this year’s candidates. No nominations were received for Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, International Officer or Youth Officer, nor for Regional Representative of KSER. Please remember the recent change to voting procedure – a sole candidate for a role will not take up the post automatically – you must vote for or against that person. Ballot papers will be found as an insert with the magazine.
Motions for the AGM agenda may be submitted by the EC or by any 20 individual BN members (who should sign the motion and note their membership numbers). If the significance or consequence of a motion are not apparent from the words of the motion it would be a help to the meeting if an explanatory note could be added. A copy of the Constitution is available from Head Office or on the BN website. Motions must be submitted to the General Secretary no later than Wednesday 19th August 2009.
The AGM agenda and proxy voting forms will be circulated to all individual members with the Autumn copy of the magazine. If you have any queries, please contact the General Secretary – details on the contact page.
The Candidates
Angela Russell – President
Involvement with other naturist or allied organisations: Midland Region Treasurer and Members’ Rep; individual member of Woodlands, Oaklands, Spectrum and Northampton Sun Group clubs.
Private, business and social life: I am an individual who is dedicated to naturism as well as a mum and a nana who is fun loving and loyal. Currently employed within the leisure industry, I focus on policy development, vulnerable children and adults, health and safety, licensing and equal opportunities. For fun I enjoy dancing of all kinds, meeting new people, swimming and embroidery.
Election address: I put myself forward for President because I believe in the organization, in the the right to be naked and will fight for that right. I feel the organisation must face change over the coming years in order to survive and gain strength for our membership. I feel I can support that change process and work with the Executive Council, Regions, Clubs and individual members to achieve an organisation that will meet these expectations in the future.
I will listen to your comments; I will act upon your instruction to the best of my ability. When new clubs, swims or venues open and events happen I will support them fully in any way I can. I will meet with you, share information and support you. I will be a voice which will not shy away from responsibility. I will speak out and up for you whenever and wherever needed. As well as being seen publicly at Naturist events, talking to radio and taking part in television programmes, responding to press requests I will work behind the scenes to support the office and other executive members in their roles. In this time of recession I will work closely with the Executive Council to ensure the money obtained by our membership is spent sensibly to meet the needs of the organization.
Our interests need to be heard by local councils and at the highest levels of government to ensure we are not overlooked or not considered when local and national legislation changes. I will challenge attitudes and campaign for acceptance. I will continue the work of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in naturism, helping to reduce the fears around these sensitive areas.
I see YBN as an important section of British Naturism as they help to attract younger members. I commit to supporting this section over the coming two years and encourage the members of YBN to take an active role in British Naturism as they leave the YBN section. The young people of today will hopefully become the mainstay of the organisation of the future. By supporting them now I believe this will bring positive changes in future years.
By making these commitments to you I ask that you support me in accepting me as your President for the next two years.
Email: president@british-naturism.org.uk
John Wymark-Hoar - Regional Representative – Yorkshire
Involvement with other naturist or allied organisations: None
Private, business and social life: My day job is as a forensic social worker, working with mentally disordered offenders. I have an occasional role with the reserve forces army.
Election address: I’ve undertaken this worthwhile role for 2 terms now on a co-opted basis owing to a lack of willing volunteers. It is only right and proper that the matter is now put before the membership for their view.
It’s been a rewarding task working for the region and I am sure will continue to be so. Having a voice at national level is important at a crucial time for both British Naturism and naturism in Britain. A naturist of some 25 years I joined BN some fifteen years ago - initially a reluctant participant in the politics for reasons I suspect many of you will share. I chaired the Regional committee and agreed to be co-opted on an interim basis when the EC vacancy arose for the Region.
I hope you will all agree that I have made a reasonable job of the task: starting and organising the now annual Castle Howard summer garden party, assisting in the setting up of naturist nights at York Maize Maze, attempting to get round most of the clubs in the region, and campaigning for our only beach. I have made myself available for support and advice to many naturists, members of BN and otherwise who have found themselves in various dilemmas –always urging people to join BN if not already members! I have developed a good working relationship with the various police services in the region, and have contributed to the media coverage of naturism in Yorkshire, advancing the public’s understanding.
Mainly, I want to continue to promote the interests of individual members who deserve full support and making events and facilities available so as to get more from their subscription than just the magazine and the INF card. Above all else BN should represent naturism in its entirety as a lifestyle choice and extend that to all naturists, beyond the boundaries of BN membership. I may be blunt in my comments as to people who want naturism to be accepted but are not prepared to put their money into the BN pot but will still do my utmost for them. Equally I will continue to urge people who criticise BN to join and help change things rather than complaining from outside. BN is all we have got – lets make it work in Yorkshire!
Email: yorkshirerep@british-naturism.org.uk
Ian Walker - Regional Representative – Midland
Involvement with other naturist or allied organisations: I help run Singles Outdoor Club swims at Water Meadows, Mansfield.
Private, business and social life: Single, aged 46, area sales manager. Attended most national BN events since 2006. Like walking, racquet sports, Jaguar cars and real ale. Election address: Hello fellow naturists, it’s that time again when candidates try to canvass your votes. Let me start by stating what I DO NOT promise. No quick fixes, no gimmicks and no magic wand to double BN membership. What I do offer is enthusiasm, commitment and a 5 point action plan.
I have been a full time CCBN member since the first Alton Towers event in 2006, and have attended and contributed at most national events since. I am not a member of any land based naturist club, so have no vested interest other than promoting success for all Midlands and national BN events.
I believe that CCBN is trying to restructure itself to move with the times. All organisations are struggling to replace older outgoing members with new younger members, who are prepared to commit the time and energy necessary to carry those organisations forward. Just look at the number of extinct swims , Bramcote and Derwent in Nottingham to name 2, to see the evidence of this. We need to move away from the old idea of BN being a loose affiliation of approximately 100 autonomous clubs, to a professional, efficiently run national pressure group. Think of CAMRA real ale organisation who lobby at local and parliamentary level, and have become the most successful consumer based pressure group in the UK with over 100,000 active members.
There are some green shoots of recovery, such as the SOC Water Meadows swim, and the Edwinstowe swim, where attendances are increasing. I believe that modern communication is the key to effective marketing, and have already started collecting e-mail addresses of interested members.
I also offer a structured 5 point action plan:
1. Produce a newsletter "Midland Matters" at least 4 times a year to publicize Midlands and certain National events.
2. Use the BN Forum, and e-mail addresses to disseminate information, and as a conduit for opinions of ordinary BN members.
3. Produce and promote a roving notice board at Midland events such as Waterworld swims etc.
4. To visit all the Midlands based organisations at least once to establish contacts and identify where regional input can make a difference.
5. To attend the majority of national meetings to represent the Midlands region, and learn "best practice" from other regions.
Thank you for your support.!
Email: bnmidlandpro@aol.com
Judith Stinchcombe – Regional Representative – South West
Involvement with other naturist or allied organizations: None
Private, business and social life: I was born in Hanley, Stoke on Trent, married at 24, lived in Germany for 8 years with husband in the army. Have two daughters, moved back to England, divorced, worked in insurance for 20 years. CII qualified, member Baptist church, bereavement counsellor, worked with Brownies and Girl Guides, taught Sunday School for 30 years. Love classical music, play a clarinet and violin.
Election address: I am passionate about my naturist life and do not want to lose what I have, which is why I want to see naturism in the UK grow and flourish. I am a mother of two with three grandchildren; I work as an Insurance Underwriter during the day and with the help of the CII have developed my career. As a member of the church I worked as a bereavement counsellor. I have also worked with Brownies and then with Girl Guides. I love the outdoors, opera and a good book with a chilled glass of dry white wine.
My skills are in organisation and communication. I will use any medium to increase membership and information whilst making members feel part of a unique organisation. I am a big believer in communication which is key to success. Members need to be well informed, need to feel involved, but above all valued.
During my last year I have used my vibrant energy to implemented several new initiatives in the South West in order to increase contact with the clubs and individual members. This is already bearing fruit in some areas where they are open to change. Listening to and trying to help clubs talk to each other is also essential, I have travelled many miles meeting members to understand what the problems are perceived to be. The difference is amazing; members have come forward and the encouragement and support is good to see.
My aim is to promote naturism where I am, to target younger members, encourage clubs to have a broader outlook on membership whilst having lots of fun on the way; but above all to communicate what we really feel about our terrific way of life with each other. I have a plan that will help me to work towards this objective. If elected I will continue to promote openness and communication.
Email: Judith.stinchcombe@british-naturism.org.uk
CCBN Annual General Meeting 2009
The AGM this year will be on Sunday 18th October. Diogenes Sun Club has kindly agreed to host the event, as they have done no fewer than four times in the past - the last being 17 years ago in 1992. Diogenes is readily accessible, lying just off the M25 (London ring road) at Junction 17. More details to follow. See www.diogenessunclub.co.uk.
