Too Many Small Pigeon Clubs

[Walter swanston]

I wonder how members of this site see the furure of Pigeon Racing in Scotland.I feel there may be too many small and perhaps ineffectual pigeon clubs some within a short distance of each other.Every fancier in Scotland will know that the fancy is in trouble and wether we like it or not change is ii inevitable.There are an unidentified number of small pigeon clubs all with long and honourable histories which are shedding members each year.Why are these clubs not persuaded to amagamate.As I say change is coming why do we as fanciers not embrace the chance to make the changes ouselves.If anyone is interested in this thread please do not waste time telling me of the difficulties.I was told at an SHU council meeting that there are two many old men in positions of power in the pigeon world.All with fixed ideas and against change well I am certainly not young and here are some new ideas for you all.

[airdrie2]

well said walter new to the game walter but pigeonmen will be the death of themselfs too many old men not willing to change (man mind myself attitude)

[Guest homestead]

in our area all the clubs that went BIG have over the years folded so now i dont think there are more than 4 clubs in south Manchester. We used to fly with upto 30 members but now average 8 members per week in the club i'm in. Whats the answer??? i dont know but it wasn't by getting together

[THE FIFER]

I wonder how members of this site see the furure of Pigeon Racing in Scotland.I feel there may be too many small and perhaps ineffectual pigeon clubs some within a short distance of each other.Every fancier in Scotland will know that the fancy is in trouble and wether we like it or not change is ii inevitable.There are an unidentified number of small pigeon clubs all with long and honourable histories which are shedding members each year.Why are these clubs not persuaded to amagamate.As I say change is coming why do we as fanciers not embrace the chance to make the changes ouselves.If anyone is interested in this thread please do not waste time telling me of the difficulties.I was told at an SHU council meeting that there are two many old men in positions of power in the pigeon world.All with fixed ideas and against change well I am certainly not young and here are some new ideas for you all.

 

one reason I see that old men are in positions is the younger ones dont want them, no member old or young,can just take a position, he must be put there by his members, there is only 2 reasons a old member keeps a position is, 1/ nobody stands against them or 2/ the majority of members want them,

[Bryngwynt Lofts]

in our area all the clubs that went BIG have over the years folded so now i dont think there are more than 4 clubs in south Manchester. We used to fly with upto 30 members but now average 8 members per week in the club i'm in. Whats the answer??? i dont know but it wasn't by getting together

The only way we can get the sport attention Is to get youngsters involved,taking them to schools / society to educate kids about them show them in room then let them out in yard to fly home.Surely this must be the way forward but we need to get some publicity and quick

[Walter swanston]

You are 100% correct Fifer I continually try to persuade younger guys to take up the posts without much success.I have been entrusted with responsibilities but I keep trying to force change through but believe me I would love to lay down the baton and devote my remaining years to my racing pigeons.

[Allan]

it is not only small clubs that need to sort themselves out but also the national having two in

scotland is stupid wee are not big enough.

[lanarkshire lad]

The only way we can get the sport attention Is to get youngsters involved,taking them to schools / society to educate kids about them show them in room then let them out in yard to fly home.Surely this must be the way forward but we need to get some publicity and quick

mATE BEHAVE YOURSELF YOUR NO GOING TO GET KIBS INTERSETERD ITS EITHER IN YOU OLR IT ISNAE .I WES INTERSTED IUN PIGEONS FROM AS WAS 9 OR 10 NOBODY NEEDED TO COME TO SCHOOL TO TEACH ME ABOUT THEM I WAs dogging schoo to go t o see them .

[THE FIFER]

You are 100% correct Fifer I continually try to persuade younger guys to take up the posts without much success.I have been entrusted with responsibilities but I keep trying to force change through but believe me I would love to lay down the baton and devote my remaining years to my racing pigeons.

but even the old ones in those positions dont run anything,their members say what goes, unless they let them, then thats their fault,I wrote an article re Officials on this site will look it up and put a link on,

[b.massey]

We have managed to up out lofts this year with 4 new members. 3 lofts. But still feel unsure what will be in line for us all in 5-10 years.

[THE FIFER]

Delegates...

Author: The Fifer Title: Club Law and the Duty of Officials and Delegates

Uploaded by: Webmaster

 

The most important thing for the good running in any club or organisation is its rules and constitution. These must be adhered to 100%, and in the same way to all members. After all, the rules must ensure that the control of the club is in the hands of the members – who are all part owners of the organisation - through an elected body. The elected body in the sport of racing pigeons comprises of Officials and Delegates.

 

In Scotland clubs are affiliated to a federation, and also the clubs to a union (mostly to the Scottish Homing Union (SHU)), however some Federations have recently affiliated to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) - which have a lot of different rules to the SHU). For the purpose of this article I will stick with the Scottish SHU set up.

 

The clubs are responsible for electing their delegates, which comprise the Federation council. In turn the Federations are responsible for electing their delegates who make the SHU council. So we have a Federation council - who are the elected club delegates, and a SHU council - who are the elected federation delegates.

 

Now lets make the job of delegates clear, in both in the club and the federation THEY ARE MESSENGERS. Before a federation meeting, all clubs should have a meeting to go over the federation meeting agenda and instruct their delegates how they want them to vote. The ONLY time delegates should decide their own way for voting is if something is brought up which is not on the agenda. Equally the same applies at SHU council meetings; the federation delegates (SHU councillors) should be instructed at a federation council meeting on how to vote. This is how MEMBERS get their say and run the organisations.

 

The Chairmans Role

As far as the Chairman is concerned, his main functions at meetings of a club are; to ensure that the business of the day is conducted in an orderly and proper manner; and that the rules of the club are followed in matters of procedure.

 

And in that sense he has a certain authority over the members, but it is only in this context, and not in the context of the decisions themselves. The decisions can only be made by the members as a whole.

 

First of all; in his executive role he is certainly no figurehead. He takes the chair at meetings and at general meetings, it is his responsibility, along with the secretary, to ensure the correct and smooth running of the club in accordance with its rules.

 

To this end, he should be well conversant with the rules of the club and the various legal obligations which the club has. It is also vitally important for the chairman to have a confident grasp of committee procedure and the conduct of meetings. He should not be afraid to assert his proper authority as the chief elected officer of the club in order to maintain good order and sensible, rational debate.

 

Where rules make provision, the chairman has a second casting vote on issues where there is an equality of votes, he should exercise this right judiciously, considering the welfare of the club above personal feelings. And it is perfectly legal for this second vote to be cast differently from the first.

 

One other point is that the Chairman if often the 'face' of the club, representing it at outside functions, and as such it is best that he maintains a discreet silence about internal matters of finance, policy, or administration, just as any senior company executive would in business. The affairs of the club are for the members alone, and should be discussed only in the proper place.

[Walter swanston]

Yes I understand all that and I read your article some time ago it is absolutely spot on but only as an illustration of what is happening let me tell you that I held an AGM last week and got less than half of the club members to attend,after e mails, phone calls and letters.I tell you Fifer the level of apathy is very discouraging.By the way I do not need to be lectured on democracy I am all for it.

[yeboah]

Yes I understand all that and I read your article some time ago it is absolutely spot on but only as an illustration of what is happening let me tell you that I held an AGM last week and got less than half of the club members to attend,after e mails, phone calls and letters.I tell you Fifer the level of apathy is very discouraging.By the way I do not need to be lectured on democracy I am all for it.

Yes Walter correct in what you are saying about small clubs ours being down to nine members in lockerbie ,when i first started in 1972 there were thirty odd members ,Percy Cameron was our secretary and voted me as his president at a very young age Percy was actually pres of the snfc as well ,i then became secretary for many many years until you were kind enough to give me a break actually ten years now ,this president's job is much easier sadly with all clubs there are those who are willing to do the chores and those who are not ,no youngsters coming in to the sport ,i am the youngest in our club which is frightening ,do think clubs will have to amalgamate sooner rather than later ,and also agree with the gentleman's reply regarding two nationals in Scotland an utter disgrace but that's democracy for you .

[WulDon]

imo in scotland within the next ten year years you wont have any pigeon clubs it will just be a federation with approx 25-30 members (if ur licky)... in the meantime SHU should stipulate that clubs must have a minimum membership of flying lofts.. lofts that have rings registered to them each season, and non flying members shouldnt count as we all know they are only there to keep the club afloat in membership... clubs that are flying amongst themselves with 3-4 members are only kidding themselves on!!!

[Guest Tooshy Boy]

it is not only small clubs that need to sort themselves out but also the national having two in

scotland is stupid wee are not big enough.

YOU ARE RIGHT MATE ALL WE NEED IS ONE THEY ARE TO GREEDY