BMGL_CMYK_With
Minutes of Alpine Area Meeting 4thDecember 2011
Chez Murphy, Les Bossons, Chamonix
Present:Paul Farmer, Richard Mansfield, Hannah Burrows-Smith, Mark Seaton, Kathy Murphy, Matt Dickinson, Jonny Baird, Stuart MacDonald, Paul Moores, Victor Saunders, Jim Kerr, Russell Braddock, Andy Perkins, Jon Bracey, Tim Blakemore,Rob Jarvis
Apologies:Roger Payne, Julie Ann Clyma, Steve Hartland, Bruce Goodlad, Ric Potter, Bill O’Connor, Neil Hitchings, Matt Helliker, Guy Willet, Shaun Hutson, Jim Blyth
Minutes of the last meeting:The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as an accurate record.
Proposed : Andy Perkins, Seconded : Jonny Baird
Matters arising from last meeting :
Training Officer Role :
RM started by saying that the more roles that are created will in turn create more work. Also there that there is not enough will or cash in the association at present to create more than one role.
The meeting then brought up the American Association as an example of having a Training Officer who is paid a proper wage. It was then noted that the American Association has a much larger membership and therefore generates more money.
RM said he supported Terry Ralph's second idea of splitting the role into two. JK and PM both said that a lot could be achieved by delegation from the Training Officer to others involved in training and assessment. RM suggested generating more sponsorship for the role. AP & RM noted that there should be good communication between the two roles so that there would be no overlapping of responsibilities, with the both positions trying to do the same work. It was agreed that the two roles should be paid properly.
JBr said, in his opinion, the job should be kept as one but paid properly. PM suggested creating two posts, each with an honorarium.
Discussion evolved into questioning some of the BMG’s expenditure, for instance could BMG save money by sending less representatives to IFMGA meetings, and why was it necessary to send three BMG representatives to the IFMGA meeting in the USA.
PM said why not raise subs for trainees which would generate more money and the Arcteryx sponsorship could pay for the designated courses. The subject was brought up of using the Arcteryx sponsorship for the training officer role. It was noted by SM that sponsors want to know exactly what they are supporting and the funds should be used for just that. MD suggested increasing training and assessment course costs. RJ questioned why there is now a lack of will to create more than one role and generate cash. The meeting asked has anyone been approached to do the role. RB noted comparisons with the NZ system and said they had similar problems ten years ago.
The Alpine area then agreed that there should be one Training officer who should be paid properly for the job. There was some support for generating money by increasing subs for trainees instead of raising course costs.
The Alpine area also agreed that there should be a question raised at the next CoM meeting re expenses for the number of BMG representatives going to UIAGM meetings.
UK Guiding Qualifications :
SM was surprised to see the subject of new qualifications (UK Rock Guide etc) raised in the TO's annual report as this subject has been thoroughly discussed and decided against already. However, if unqualified members passing their UK summer and winter tests could be given an existing qualification (ie MIA or MIC) with minimal admin or further training requirements there may be mileage in this idea.
There was no supportwhatsoeverfrom the meetingfor a UK Rock Guide or UK Winter Guide qualificationas this would further complicate the range of qualifications awarded in the UK.
CPD :
RM said we have a good CPD system in place. It was generally felt that it is beneficial to have a wide range of CPD available to members. The meeting drew comparisons with the French CPD which was at a prescribed date and time and tended to cover a lot of subjects but at a fairly low level. AP said it was irrelevant if a non-Guide ran the CPD as long as it was approved by the Training officer. It was noted that the UIAGM minimum requirement was three days in six years. The meeting discussed Mark Diggins’ proposal that one day of the minimum requirement should be “required” (in other words compulsory). JBr said he was in favour of one compulsory day of CPD, with the same structure as the one after the AGM, in any six year period. KM noted that she can never make the AGM due to work commitments.
It was agreed by the meeting that either the AGM date should be changed each year or that this type of CPD(ie the day after the AGM) should be run at least twice each year, in order to give the membership the best chance of being able to attend.
There was also support for BMG adopting the IFMGA guidelines for minimum CPD requirement (ie 3 days every 6 years, rather than the 2 days every 4 years being proposed by CoM)
BMG Open Day :
This will be at PYB May 19th – Training officer has asked for volunteers to help out.
Unusual Occurrences :
KM related an incident which occurred while on holiday in Kalymnos with friends.
One of her friends had sustained a head injury while belaying KM on a sport route. KM was climbing about 30m above her belayer when a very solid looking foothold broke off. The rock bounced off the wall and hit her belayer on the head, which resulted in her friend having ten stitches and concussion. The belayer was not wearing a helmet. Kath stressed the fact that, although it was just a single pitch sport climbing venue, that it was important to think about wearing a helmet. Thanks to Kath for sharing this with us.
Further discussion of this incident revolved around whether, as guides, we should report incidents while we are not working and with friends. It was felt that we should if medical attention/outside help was needed by anyone involved.
The meeting felt that we should report most incidents even if minor but would like clarification from the PSC as to the level.
PSC update :
The result of the inquest in Huddersfield was read out by PF.
AOB :
None.
Next Meeting :
In late April/early May, details to be announced.
Thanks to Kath Murphy for her hospitality, Kath expressed an interest that more beer be brought to the meeting next time.